Beschreibung:

4,482cc Twin-Cam 6-Cylinder Engine 3 Zenith-Stromberg Carburetors 190bhp at 4,500rpm 4-Speed Wilson Pre-Selector Transmission Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Drum Drakes *Unique one-off design by the famous coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik *Star of the Saoutchik stand and winner of 'Le Grand Prix du Salon' Paris, 1950 *Fresh documented concours quality restoration to original livery *Verified by Talbot-Lago and Saoutchik historian Peter M. Larsen *Never shown in any modern concours THE TALBOT-LAGO T26 In October 1946, the Talbot-Lago T26 Record made its debut at the Paris Salon. The chassis and drivetrain were new, but the real jewel was its magnificent 4.5 liter six-cylinder twin-cam hemi engine that Anthony Lago had developed during the War. Not only was this motor lovely to look at with its polished Art Deco valve covers, it also gave exceptional torque, and with an output of 170 hp, it made the Lago Record one of the most powerful passenger cars in the world. For even more power, approximately 35 of the T26 Record chassis were factory fitted with the T26 Grand Sport engine that featured three carburetors and an aluminum cylinder head. This mighty powerplant developed 190 bhp and was more sporting in nature due to hotter cams, higher compression and lighter pistons. This special model was called the Record Sport by the Talbot factory. Chassis 100238 is one of these very rare cars. CARROSSERIE J. SAOUTCHIK T26 chassis 100238 was delivered to the Carrosserie de Luxe J. Saoutchik on October 22, 1948, by that time one of the most famous and exclusive carrossiers in France and indeed the world. Founded in 1906, Saoutchik had quickly ascended from being a mere coachbuilder to becoming the purveyor of the most exquisite coachwork that money could buy. Customers were everything from the glittering socialites, artists, demimondes and couturiers, who populated the chic salons of Paris, to royalty and heads of state. A body by Saoutchik was not merely seen as an expression of wealth and possessing the necessary social graces, the owner of a luxury chassis equipped with a Saoutchik body, such as the famous music hall star Mistinguette, signaled that mere good taste did not suffice. Arriving at Chez Maxim's or The Ritz in an automobile by Saoutchik meant instant acceptance at the highest levels of chic Parisian society. From the late 1920s, Saoutchik became such a regular winner of the Grand Prix at so many of the French concours d'élégance that some of his competitors must have felt it was hardly worthwhile to enter. Domination of these elegant gatherings in Paris, Biarritz, Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo continued throughout the 1930s, until France was invaded in 1940. After the war, the carrosserie soon developed an expressive, voluptuous and flamboyant style characterized by the superb flow of fenderlines, smooth surfacing, as well as extravagant chrome scallops and detailing that once again made Saoutchik bodies the toast of the concours d'élégance. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED The body of T26 chassis 100238 is something very rare: a genuine two-door coupé de ville, where the area over the rear seat has a fixed metal roof, while the space above the driver's or chauffeur's seat can remain open. Closing the interior against the elements is a neat solution where a full-width metal roof, which is stowed inside the rear section, can be pulled out – in the manner of a traditional coupé chauffeur, or town car. Once in place, the car is transformed into a closed coupé with full protection. The three-piece grille design on the car is a recognized and iconic Saoutchik style for Talbot: a vertical tall and slim grille curving mildly up to the Talbot badge. The grille is flush with the bodywork and flanked by two small horizontal grilles that link the front end to the fenders. An elegant and well-balanced solution. Overall, the use of chrome was reduced in relation to other more baroque designs of the 1948 to 1949 period. Combined wi