1936 Talbot BI 105 Sports Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: CXB 162
Chassis No: 4021
Mot Expiry: April 2012

"The international reputation achieved by Talbot products has gained an added lustre through racing successes, but is fundamentally based upon the good repute which these cars enjoy amongst Talbot owners in all countries. The make is definitely numbered in that select group of cars of distinction which endear themselves to the heart of the true enthusiast." (The Motor, May 1935)

The striking Talbot BI 105 was unveiled at the October 1935 London Motor Show and was arguably the last of the unadulterated models from the Georges Roesch-designed 105 range. It was underpinned by a notably rigid, low-slung chassis that it shared with its BA 105 and BA 110 siblings. Reinforced by the use of a massive tubular cruciform brace and additional perforated channel sections to the inner face of its main side members, the structure was equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-spring suspension, Luvax adjustable dampers and large-diameter drum brakes. Among the most unprepossessing looking but technologically sophisticated powerplants of the 1930s, the BI 105's straight-six engine boasted an impressive competition pedigree by association with its AV 105 predecessor - this encompassed such blue riband events as the Le Mans 24 hours, Ards Tourist Trophy, Irish Grand Prix, Brooklands 500 Miles, Mille Miglia and Alpine Trial.

Displacing 2969cc, the engine featured a seven-bearing crankshaft, nickel chrome Swedish steel con-rods, four-bearing chrome-plated camshaft, vertically staggered inlet/exhaust tracts and diagonally opposed combustion chambers. The unit was shorter, lighter and more rigid than most of its contemporaries, and with a compression ratio of 6.5:1 developed some 105bhp at 4,500rpm - hence the 105 moniker. The free-revving Talbot was fitted with a four-speed Wilson pre-selector transmission as standard and was reputedly capable of 90mph plus (though, stripped down versions inevitably proved a good deal faster still). A natural rival to the likes of the Alvis Speed 25, Bentley 4.25 Litre and Lagonda LG45/LG6, the BI 105 was, however, decidedly more exclusive, with total production between late 1935 and 1937 believed to have totalled just 97 cars.

Sold alongside the BD 105 which debuted at the same time, the BI 105 was sometimes referred to as the BI Speed Model. Though, as Anthony Blight rather dismissively states in his famous tome 'Georges Roesch and The Invincible Talbot': "The only justification for the title 'Speed Model' lay in its traditional Talbot appearance, which was less pedestrian than the 'Humberised' BD. In fact the BI was not a new model at all, but simply used the 1936 chassis as an excuse for disposing of body timbers, panels, fittings and old-style vertical radiators left over from the 1935 Airline, Standard Saloon and Sports Tourer." Ouch! However, having taken over Talbot in 1935, it's true to say that the Rootes Group (parent to Humber) was keen to clear the decks before introducing a new model range which relied heavily on the conglomerate's extensive parts bin. Thus, the number of BI 105 cars sold was restricted not so much by demand but by what remained on the shelf at Talbot's Barlby Road factory. Of course that enforced rarity in period has only served to make today's remaining examples more valuable.

The Talbot BI 105 offered here was manufactured in 1936. Its elegant four-door body is finished in Dark Blue over Light Blue and the interior trimmed in Blue leather. There are apparently no ownership records of 'CXB 162' prior to 1955, when an extensive usage log was begun by the then owner John Bland. When this was completed in 1962, it evidently showed a mileage of 89,104. By 1994, the year the car was purchased 'as seen' by the vendor's late husband, the total had risen to 96037, but the Talbot was temporarily incomplete as a result of a major overhaul being commenced by well-known Talbot specialist Arthur Archer. The final touches of painting, upholstering and plating of the bright parts ensued over the following years, with the restored car finally returning to the road in April 2011.

A rare and desirable survivor of the potent Roesch-designed 3-litre Saloons, 'CXB 162' rides on period correct wire wheels and comes complete with working sunroof. This splendid-looking example of "the master's" work is seemingly ready to provide fun and satisfaction for a new keeper and, with up to 105bhp on tap, should have little trouble keeping up with modern traffic.