Lot 109: Talbot Lago T14S

La Talbot-Lago T.14 S est le dernier mod�le produit par les usines Talbot de Suresnes, avant que cette grande marque fran�aise ne soit rachet�e par Simca. Il a �t� produit en 56 exemplaires seulement avec le moteur Talbot de 2,5 litres, deux rang�es de soupapes en t�te, inclin�es � 45�. Onze exemplaire suppl�mentaires, dits � America � ont �t� fabriqu�s et munis de moteurs BMW, et trois autres avec moteurs Simca. La carrosserie de cette rare voiture a �t� dessin�e par le styliste Carlo Delaisse. Particuli�rement r�ussie on est encore surpris qu'elle date des ann�es cinquante, tant elle est intemporelle et semble �tre toujours � moderne �. Aliment� par deux carburateurs double corps horizontaux Weber, le moteur 4 cylindres de 2.491 cm3, al�sage course 89,5 x 99mm. D�veloppe une puissance de 120 cv. � 5000 tr/mn. Les freins sont hydrauliques, � tambours et la direction est � droite comme sur toutes les voitures sportives d'avant guerre : il fallait d�placer le centre de gravit� vers la droite pour les courses sur circuit ferm� qui se courraient dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre. L'exemplaire pr�sent�, n�140.049 est donc la 49e voiture de la s�rie des 56 T.14 S. L'actuel propri�taire l'a achet�e en 1966 � un particulier par l'interm�diaire de Georges Grignard, ancien pilote de Talbot, Pr�sident de l'Amicale des Coureurs Ind�pendants, qui avait repris le stock des pi�ces Talbot lors de la fermeture des Usines. Depuis 1966, cet exemplaire a �t� normalement entretenu par son utilisateur. Elle a �t� repeinte bleu clair m�tallis�, sa couleur d'origine alors qu'elle �tait rouge lors de l'acquisition. Durant les quelques 60 000kms parcourus, plusieurs r�visions ont �t� effectu�es : freins, allumage et carburation. Le pont arri�re a �t� ouvert suite � la rupture d'un rivet, l'embrayage a �t� refait, et la boite de vitesse r�vis�e  A noter cependant que le synchro entre les 2e et 3e rapports ne fonctionne pas parfaitement et devient bruyant � haut r�gime. Actuellement la voiture est �quip�e de si�ges confortables en cuir provenant d'une Rover 3,5 litres. Les si�ges d'origine sont fournis. Outre l'utilisation quotidienne, promenade ou affaires, cette Talbot a particip� � plusieurs rallyes et sorties du Club Talbot en Bretagne, en Normandie, le dernier �tant organis� pour la sortie annuelle de l'Association des Grands Marques. La voiture a toujours accompli ces trajets sans incidents. Ce 49e exemplaire (sur 56) de la derni�re cr�ation d'Anthony Lago est indiscutablement un tr�s beau sp�cimen de ce que savaient construire les grandes Marques et les grands carrossiers fran�ais et m�rite � ce titre de figurer comme objet de collection et l'un des derniers t�moins de cette belle et fastueuse �poque. The Talbot-Lago marque came into being in 1935 when Major A E 'Tony' Lago, a trained engineer who had risen to become head of Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq's French operations, purchased the French branch of the bankrupted STD combine, which had been taken over by Rootes. He immediately set about introducing a new range of six-cylinder models featuring advanced overhead-valve engines in a range of capacities. For these new engines, designer Walter Becchia used pushrod-operated valves set in hemispherical combustion chambers for maximum efficiency, and this pattern of cylinder head would become a Talbot hallmark. Of the new models, it was the T150C or 'Lago Special' that brought the new company to the public's attention. The Lago Special was powered by what was effectively a Grand Prix engine, specially designed for the short-lived French Sports Car Grand Prix formula that had been introduced in 1936. During WW2 a new twin-camshaft '2AC' engine of 4.5 litres was designed, which after the war's end was used to power Talbot-Lago's successful Grand Prix monoposto and Louis Rosier's 1950 Le Mans winner. In keeping with Talbot-Lago tradition, this state-of-the art power unit was also used for the company's flagship road car, the rare and exotic short-chassis Grand Sport, which for a while was the most powerful and fastest sports car available. By this time however, the punitive taxation rates levied on larger cars were having a disastrous effect on Talbot's finances: in 1950 the firm sold 433 cars but only 81 in 1951. Even the launch of a new 2.7-litre 'Baby' failed to stem the tide and the model was withdrawn after a few years of disappointing sales. The firm's 'last gasp' was the pretty T14LS coup� (also known as the 2500 Sport), introduced in 1954, which featured a new tubular chassis and was powered by a 2.5-litre four constructed along typical Talbot-Lago lines. Beautifully proportioned, the body was the work of stylist, Carlo Delaisse, coachbuilder Letourneur et Marchand's chief designer. A total of 54 T14s had been sold before it was decided to up-rate the model with BMW's overhead-valve V8 engine in an attempt to stimulate sales in the USA, and 17 examples to this 'Lago America' specification were completed between 1957 and 1959. In the latter year, Talbot-Lago was taken over by Simca, which fitted its Ford-derived sidevalve V8 to the remaining handful of chassis. It was a sad end to a once-great French marque. Jean-Michel C�r�de purchased this Talbot-Lago T14LS on 8th May 1966 from Fran�ois Elvinger via Georges Grignard, an ex-Talbot works driver. The car is currently registered in Paris, '7986 QJ 75', a registration it has had since 1964. Red when acquired, it has since been repainted in light blue, the original colour. Maintenance has been undertaken by Carrosserie Gervais, Clichy Carburation and Automobiles d'Antan, while Rover seats are currently fitted within the passenger compartment, these being more comfortable for rallies and long journeys. (The original seats are included in the sale). We are advised that the synchromesh between 2nd and 3rd gears will need some attention, but the car nevertheless runs well. Presented in original condition, this rare and stylish Gran Turismo comes with its French Carte Grise issued in 1966.