French Art Deco 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable Going To Auction

French Art Deco 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable Going To Auction - 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable

One of only two of the surviving Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolets is going to Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction on August 13.

The 1948 Talbot was one of only four built with bodywork created by leading coachbuilders of the time, carrossier Figoni et Falaschi.

The Talbot-Lago T26 was one of the most powerful and glamorous cars of the Art Deco era. Th car with its’s Narval whale like design was particularly flamboyant and represents one of the last great designs of the period. The 4.5 litre 175 hp engine provided the performance to match the looks. Sporty handling too was provided by the all new Talbot-Lago chassis.

Out of the four bespoke cabriolets produced only two have survived. There is not much chance of obtaining one hence this particular auction lot estimate is available on request only. It’s likely to be a very expensive car.

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet

This T26 started doing the rounds at concours events debuting at the Deauville Concours d’elegance only a few weeks after its completion. The first owner Gilbert Fayol, hair to the notable French industrial family commissioned the bespoke bodywork. The car was presented at the event with his fried, Mademoiselle Michelle Cancre, the French horse-jumping champion.

But less than a decade later after being sold on it had been neglected to the point of un-roadworthiness. Discovered in a bad way in the 1960s, thankfully complete with its original chassis, bodywork and engine by the next owner. he then stored the car for another 20 years in a barn.

As the 1990s approached the first restoration of the T26 was completed to a high standard, getting a place at Retromobile in Paris.  It was bought off the stand by the next owner before later being acquired for the Rosso-Bianco collection in Germany where it was displayed until the collection closed in 2006.

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable

Later the same year the T26 was sold with Bonhams at the same Quail Lodge auction that the car is returning to this year. Texan car collector John O’Quinn who sent the car to a for restoration with marque specialist Tessier in central France.

Sadly, the death of O’Quinn in a car accident the T26 was sold again in a bare metal state with the 800 other cars in his collection. The new owner sending the car back to specialist Tissier to restore the car to factory correct specification. After eight years the now concours car was completed using original materials and finishes returning the car to its former glory.

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Jakob Greisen, Bonhams Head of US Motoring, said: “We are excited to be returning to Quail Lodge after last year’s Live and Online auction, due to the global pandemic. We are looking forward to welcoming our West Coast clients and collectors to the saleroom at our 24th Monterey Week auction.

“We are also delighted to once again offer this spectacular automobile at Quail Lodge. Its incredible history and provenance have been enhanced by its superb second restoration and it would be welcomed at the finest Concours d’Elegances around the world.”

To see the upcoming action visit: Bonhams Quail Auction.

Thanks to Bonhams for the images.

Simon

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