Back in the 1930s, Talbot was up there with the finest names in the automotive world – a manufacturer of bespoke, solidly built and elegant motor cars that were on a par with some of the finest names in the industry for quality and luxury.

Built by Clément-Talbot Limited in Kensington and bodied by Darracq, they were among the finest and most elegant cars on the market, with styling from visionary designer Georges Roeschs. The influences were clear, with their swooping running boards and over-sized headlamps exuding a wonderful art deco ambience. 

This is one of the last Talbot 65s made, registered in 1934, and with a four-light saloon body. It’s beguilingly original and full of charm, but isn’t a concours contender. It’s a usable, presentable car that you can improve as you wish or simply use “as is”, as a head-turning example of pre-war prestige.

The cabin of this car is glorious in its originality – it bubbles with charm and period appeal albeit far from immaculate. The original green leather seats are largely serviceable, but there are some areas of damage and wear to the leather facings and the carpets have been replaced with domestic coverings. Similarly, there are areas of paint wear to the steering wheel and column and also wear to the headlining, but for a car fast approaching its 90th birthday it’s still a glorious place to sit, the careworn patina adding largely to its appeal. In some ways, it’s nicer than a restored car. 

The dash and dials are excellent, the sliding roof still works as it should, the door cards and rope grab handles are all in fine order. It’s a special old thing, with a huge amount of character, and it still has its original “College Motors” supplying dealer plaque screwed to the dash.

It would be unwise to assume a car of this vintage has never been restored or painted but this one oozes originality, in part down to the various minor battle scars its body displays. There’s corrosion on the door bottoms and both sides of the bonnet, and also around the rear luggage compartment, but overall it presents quite smartly and the wear gives it charm that over-restored cars simply cannot wear. 

Critically, the chassis appears strong and in excellent, clean order having been comprehensively rust-proofed to ensure its future longevity. There have been welded repairs in the past, but clearly carried out to a high standard.

Talbot’s 1,665cc six-cylinder engine is a strong unit, with a cast-iron block and four-bearing crank. It’s a smooth and unstressed unit that suits the car’s stately stature. 

Included in the paperwork are photographs of a complete gearbox rebuild, carried out in 2013. It has also had a rebore, the crank was reground, new big ends, cylinder cores and a refaced cylinder head. In essence, a complete reengineering of the engine. 

The front suspension and wheel bearings were also replaced, with a reconditioned steering box, and at the rear the axle, crown-wheel and pinion were replaced, and the brakes relined. Mechanically, it is excellent, having has over £11,000 spent in the past decade and subject to light use since.

Here, then, is a mechanically well-sorted and wonderfully grand pre-war saloon that has charm coming from every pore. It’s not cosmetically perfect, but the important parts that keep it working are all mostly renewed or renovated and it is in great running order. Ideal to improve and take to the next level cosmetically if you wanted to, or to use “as is” and simply enjoy its grand road presence and immeasurable character.

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