H E Hall was one of the earliest Talbot dealers, advertising Talbot cars as early as February 1904. He had showrooms in Kent and Langham Place in London. On 17th October 1910 he sold a Talbot 15hp with Detachable Brougham body to Mr Charles Sabine Barring-Gould of Merrow Grange who traded it in December 1917. Mr Hall had ideas for a revolutionary motor car design and parts of the Talbot, being worth very little in 1917, were used to create his prototype. The key element of his Hall car was a flat 8 cylinder engine, mounted centrally, under the front seats. He drove 4,000 miles in this car, averaging 19 – 20 mpg, before having the confidence to launch it in the Autocar of 22nd February 1919. I have a lot more info on this
Remarkably, this Hall car survives and has been restored by a Dutchman. The family of the owner now wish to sell the car and, because I made enquiries about it several years ago, have asked me to help. Hence this advert. The car is now back in its home county, in Tonbridge. Should you wish to see the car, please contact the family, Familie van Heesch, at vanhees@vanheeschvervoort-trouwauto.nl. Please let me know too:- stephen@lally.org.uk or 01442 863526
The photographs showing the front and rear of the car when new is from the Tim Harding collection that the Register has just bought. The side view is from the Autocar.
By Stephen Lally
|