Beschrijving
We are pleased to offer this absolutely delightful example of a Talbot 8/ 18 – the Rolls Royce of light cars.
One of the first products of Louis Coatalen’s Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq union, the 8/ 18 was essentially a Darracq in its conception but was built at the Barlby Road, Kensington works and was marketed as a Talbot.
The heart of the car is the lively one litre overhead valve engine which makes the Talbot stand out from many of its contemporaries and gives it a 40mph cruising speed. The engine is mated to a very sweet three speed gearbox.
An electric starter is a standard fitment and the engine features coil ignition.
The chassis features quarter- elliptic springing at both ends, a differential – less back axle and brakes on the rear wheels only. The steering is exceptionally light and the car is a joy to handle.
The 8/ 18’s production run was quite short as it was soon superseded by the larger (and heavier) 10/ 23 but aficionados regard the 8/ 18 as the better car. All 8/ 18s were two seaters.
The car offered here was despatched from the factory on 19th June 1923 to Vickers who clothed it in the Drop Head Coupe bodywork you see here. It is one of three such cars known to have been bodied as such. It was then delivered to distributor R. E. Jones Ltd of Swansea and finally registered on 11th January 1924 to Mr A. G. Rose of Gainsborough.
The Talbot was discovered in 1960 when being used to house chickens. It was rescued by Mr R. S. Beard of Mansfield but it was not until it passed into the hands of Mr Harold Paris of Lastingham that the car was finally restored. The file contains a wealth of correspondence from Mr Paris illustrating the lengths he went to in restoring this lovely car.
In the 1980s the car passed to David Johnson of York and soon after to Stuart Bennett of Surrey who was to retain the Talbot until 2013 when the last owner acquired it.
An older restoration, the Talbot still presents beautifully in grey with black wings – an original colour combination. The leather hood is still in excellent order as is the navy blue upholstery – again all as per original specification. The navy blue carpet however, is showing its age and could do with replacing.
The nickel plated brightwork is in excellent order as are the which are of the conventional wired on variety rather than the original beaded edge, a set of which come as spares with the car.
The Talbot retains its original 6 volt electrical system but there is also a 12 volt battery fitted in order to run some additional driving lights.
This is an absolutely charming little motor car and with interest in Vintage light cars currently very strong this is an ideal opportunity to acquire one of the best. Indeed it could be a strong contender for the next VSCC Light Car Race.
For more information and to arrange a viewing call James on the details below or contact us via the website.
We will happily consider a classic car or motorcycle in part exchange.
