Thank you very much indeed for your detailed reply, which I much appreciate. I hope BUU 380 has survived somewhere, and may re-appear some day.
Coincidentally, I lived in Carshalton Beeches, next door to Sutton, where John Bland lived, and remember him well as a gentle man, and a gentleman.
It was due to John Bland's display ads in Motor Sport that took me and my car to him.
You are correct in terms of the coach-builder; what I had remembered was their location, Putney, not their name!
Unfortunately I do not have either the chassis or engine number, though I do remember it was an 33/34 AW90.
I have very fond memories of my Talbot, oh how I wish I had kept it!
Thank you once again for your kind efforts on my behalf. May I wish you, and all Talbot aficionados, success and great driving for the future.
Best Wishes
John Halfnight
On 27-Aug-18 8:39 AM, Ian Polson wrote:
Dear John Halfnight,
Thank you for your very interesting email. The car is not known to me and is not shown on the fairly large database maintained by the Talbot Owners Club, so I fear it may not have survived, although cars keep coming to light and it might still turn up.
It appears to be a body style previously unknown to me and might have been a “one off”. Your description sounds like a Doctors Coupe, but these were much less common in the 1930s than in previous decades. Could the coachbuilder have been a firm called Coopers in Putney? They are known to have built unique bodies (and hearses).It appears to be a 1933/4 AW75 or AW90 on the short (9’6”) chassis, possibly incorporating the wings, bonnet and spare wheel mounting from the standard sports saloon. It certainly was a good looking car. Do you have a record of the chassis or engine number?
I am an Australian, although I have lived in the UK since 1972. I first made contact with John Bland when I imported spares for my Talbot from him in about 1969. I then met him on a short visit to Europe in 1971. Unfortunately he became ill shortly after my return to Australia and retired. I kept in touch with him and he died in 1981. He carried the Talbot flag from the 1940s, with regular small display ads in Motor Sport when no one else seemed to bother with them. His business was at Southfields road in Wandsworth and lived at Sutton in Surrey.
Best Wishes,
Ian Polson
From: cordville.com [mailto:john.halfnight@cordville.com]
Sent: 17 August 2018 16:40
To: i.s.polson@btconnect.com
Subject: Our telephone conversation the other week
Dear Mr Polson
I attach the photo of my first car, a Talbot, reg BUU 380, bought in 1957 for £125, which was for my daily commute to University College in London from my home in Surrey.
It was 1933/34 model, with pre-selector box and a fully leather lined quilted dickie seat at back, matching the main upholstery.
The body work was carried out by a firm in Putney, so said a little plaque, at the bottom of the driver's door.
I saw your advertisement in Motor and hence the phone call.
I remember for spares and service I took it to a Mr John Bland, Talbot specialist, operating in Putney or Tooting, I think.
Any information you can provide would be most interesting.
Yours sincerely
John Halfnight
6 Craigends Avenue
Bridge of Weir
Renfrewshire PA11 3SQ
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