Description
Thank you for your interest in my wonderful Talbot 18/ 55 which I’ve owned for 50 years. Other Talbots have come and gone but this has stayed my favourite; the most practical, reliable, elegant and luxurious. Its 2. 54 litre, 6 cylinder engine gives it the power and torque to cruise happily up hills and down dales and it has been in regular use, travelling all over Britain, to Switzerland and Ireland on TOC, STD and VSCC events. It’s running nicely. It has given me and my family a lot of good times but, sadly, it is time to find it a new good home.
Talbot was part of the Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Group and the Talbot 18/ 55 model was introduced with one of Sunbeam’s reliable engines as the Talbot company was in desperate need of a larger car in the mid-1920s. Sunbeam engines were at their best in the mid-1920s, the company even breaking two world land speed records at this time. This car was manufactured at the Talbot factory in Kensington. 290 Talbot 18/ 55s were manufactured, fourteen in this body style, of which this is the sole survivor. This comfortable two seater has room for two more in the dickie.
Over the last 50 years any major work has been carried out by Roger Carter, Bill Barrott and Jim Catnach, the accepted experts on Sunbeam engines. Jim Catnach and two specialist clubs are ready to offer help and advice if needed.
It comes with a valuable spare engine, gearbox and other parts - important assets to keep a rare hundred-year-old car on the road for years to come.
This Talbot is totally original, mechanically and down to every small bodywork detail.
The car’s history is known from production and delivery; all its nine owners to the present day. Ask me for your copy of the book telling its full life story
Why you’re going to love my Talbot
Having owned and driven this Talbot for 50 years is the best demonstration of the fact that I love it and so will you. It’s been reliable, keeps up with modern traffic well for a hundred-year-old car. It’s comfortable and easy to drive – steering and brakes are good. No need to change down except on the longest and steepest hills. There have always been club volunteers and professionals to help with spares and repairs and be patient with those like me, who are not too technically minded. Easy to work on if you’re an expert.
