Lot 219: 1937 Talbot 105/110 3.4-Litre Roadster

The most successful division of the Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine, Talbot might well have escaped takeover by Rootes in 1935 had it not been shackled to its weaker partners. The company’s healthy position had been achieved by a succession of well-engineered products penned by its designer, Swiss-born Charles Roesch, whose obsession with the pursuit of high performance through increased engine revolutions led to some of the most memorable cars of the 1930s. Talbot’s Chief Engineer from 1916, Roesch rescued the company from the brink of failure with the launch of the 14/45. Introduced in 1926 as the basis of a one-model policy, the 14/45, like all Roesch’s Talbot creations, was powered by a smooth and flexible six-cylinder overhead-valve engine endowed with a remarkably high output for its size. Abandoning the one-model programme, Roesch developed the 14/45 to produce the 75 and 90 models, the latter setting Talbot on the path towards renewed sporting success. 1931 saw the arrival of the 3.0-litre 105 powered by a new ‘six’ featuring staggered valves, a Roesch stratagem allowing for improved breathing. There was more technical innovation for 1933 in the form of Luvax adjustable dampers and the Roesch-designed, Wilson pre-selector gearbox, the latter augmented for 1935 by Talbot’s famous automatic ‘traffic clutch’ which permitted sequential upward gearchanges. Also new for ’35 were a dropped chassis frame and a 3.4-litre model - the 110 - that would turn out to be the ultimate Roesch Talbot. One of the great makes of the 1930s, Talbot was axed by new masters Rootes in 1937. This car started life as a BI 105 saloon before being re-bodied with a two-seat sports roadster body and fitted with a BG 110 engine in the mid-1970s. The car’s life is uncertain prior to the 1970s when it was owned by one A A Barker, who carried out the restoration and conversion work, while there were two further owners before the current one acquired the car in 2002. Over the course of the past four years the car has been mechanically rebuilt by world famous Talbot specialists Archer’s of Dunmow, including a complete engine rebuild and overhaul of the gearbox and transmission, the latter now incorporating a high-ratio final drive. Bills totalling £21,000 are available for inspection. A most exciting Talbot ‘hybrid’ combining sparkling acceleration with relaxed cruising capability, ‘DLP 574’ is offered with current road fund licence/MoT and Swansea V5 document.