3rd Dec, 2014 13:00

Chateau Impney

 
  Lot 52
 

1936 Talbot 110 Speed Tourer


Lot details
Registration No: DGW 581
Chassis No: 4536
Mot Expiry: Exempt

Arguably the preeminent British coachbuilder of the 1930s, Vanden Plas crafted some of that decade's most elegant yet rakish Sports Tourers. Deservedly popular among Derby Bentley customers, the London firm was also chosen by Alvis and Talbot to clothe their performance flagships: the 4.3 Litre Short Chassis and 110 Speed Tourer. The results achieved by the latter's predecessor - the Talbot 105 - on events as challenging as the Mille Miglia, Le Mans 24-hours, Tourist Trophy and Alpine Trial were testament to Georges Roesch's engineering brilliance. However, some perceived a disconnect between its almost Vintage stance and undoubted turn of speed / handling finesse. Introduced at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show, the Talbot 110 Speed Tourer looked as well as it went. Underpinned by a lower-slung, 'double-dropped' chassis and sporting a shorter, sloping radiator, the newcomer's stylish aluminium coachwork featured an inclined / folding windscreen, multi-louvered scuttle, rear-mounted / encased spare wheel, cut-away doors, understated bumpers and wheel-hugging / ridge-topped wings. Just fourteen Talbot 110 Speed Tourers were made, each bodied by Vanden Plas and capable of nigh on 100mph. Allied to four-speed pre-selector transmission (though, the last few cars could be had with a more conventional four-speed manual gearbox), its efficient 3.4 litre OHV straight-six engine was credited with developing some 123bhp @ 4,500rpm.

Road registered as 'DGW 581' on 9th November 1936 and supplied new to Mrs Claire Irene Lovell of Glenavon House, Linlithgow (and later Butleigh, Glastonbury), chassis 4536 was to remain in her care for forty-three years. Fettled by marque specialist John Bland, periodically dry stored, resprayed in its original Steel Dust metallic livery (1968) and driven some 95,000 miles during that time, the Talbot was eventually sold - via Christie's Beaulieu auction - to Brian Fidler on 9th July 1979. An avid collector and former treasurer of the Vintage Sports Car Club, Mr Fidler kept the 110 Speed Tourer for a further twenty-five years. Indeed, the four-seater was illustrated as part of the 'Cars I Have Enjoyed' article which he wrote for the VSCC's August 2005 Bulletin (Edition No. 249, p.68).

Although never allowed to deteriorate to the point of needing total restoration, chassis 4536 was entrusted to renowned marque specialist Ian Polson by its third custodian, Martin Clayton of Poole, Dorset, during 2006. As well as a brake overhaul, 'DGW 581' received attention to its fuel system, front axle / suspension, steering, rear hubs, shock absorbers, ignition system, exhaust, radiator, water pump, cylinder head (new inlet / exhaust valve guides), inlet manifold, carburettor and pre-selector transmission plus a full-flow oil filter conversion (the work totalling some £15,037.20). Entering the current (fourth) ownership a year later, the Talbot has since been enjoyed on a variety of long distance tours and rallies and was returned to Ian Polson earlier this year, where it benefited from repairs to its steel footwells and plywood floors plus a new thermostat, front brake cable, silencer and starter motor etc. Replacement sidelights were also sourced, the wire wheels shot blasted / powder coated and a general service carried out: condenser, points, spark plugs, engine oil, gear oil (bills for the associated expenditure of £17,333.41 are on file). In addition, the bumpers, wheel spinners and the spare wheel carrier have all just been re-chromed by specialists, Derby Plating.

As befits their desirability and collectability, 13 of the 14 Talbot 110 Vanden Plas Speed Tourers are known to have survived to the present day (interestingly 11 of the 12 Alvis 4.3 Litre Short Chassis Vanden Plas Tourers are still in existence too). Starting readily upon inspection and pleasingly retaining its original engine, this true Post Vintage Thoroughbred is offered for sale with continuation buff logbook, Christie's catalogue, VSCC Bulletin No. 249, V5C Registration Document, full weather equipment and some £32,000 worth of Ian Polson invoices. A rare opportunity.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Chateau Impney, 3rd Dec, 2014

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine