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.