SOLD by Polson
The chassis was an original but slightly earlier 4S version of the 25hp. The small differences between the 4S and 4SB were carefully and accurately modified to get every detail correct for a 1913 4SB. This meant for example fitting slightly different end knuckles with the correct later offset. All such details of the chassis were painstakingly copied from original components and photographs. The car is to early 4SB specification with the shorter of the two chassis lengths available initially for this model making it agile and sporting. A correct 1913 Talbot bulkhead is fitted.
The slightly earlier radiator that came with the components for the car was not of the correct 1913 shape and so some of its components were re-used in creating an accurate copy of the correct 4SB radiator on another surviving car. The resultant radiator on the car, complete with the correct radiator mounted fan, was produced in German silver by Vintage Radiators - who also accurately copied an original 25hp fuel tank. For security and touring the details of the later fuel tanks used in 1914 were copied as this offers a reserve tank set up.
The Talbot and Irish records show the registration IC103 was applied when new to the Clement Talbot sold to Oakes Bros who traded as “Oakes, Bromley & Co Ltd, East India and China Merchants”. They had offices at 89 and 90 Leadenhall Street, London EC and at 46 New Broad Street London EC. Oakes had established a very successful trading company both supplying the colonies and also importing from them. Since Victorian times, under the name of “Oakes & Co” in Madras, India, they had made a successful brand of cigars and cheroots which they sold in London at 46 New Broad Street under the “Pagoda” brand.
In Bombay, Oakes & Co had established in 1843 what became at one time the biggest department store in South India — possibly all India. It had large impressive premises offering locals and the colonials a huge range of goods – including items made in its own foundry in India. It is no surprise that in the early 20th century Oakes and Co got involved in supplying the local Indian market with motor cars. By 1907 they were being shown in Talbot literature as the Clement Talbot agents for India. They were also active locally in motoring competitions using Talbot cars.
The log book with the car shows the first Owner/keeper of IC103 was one of the business owners, William Hayland Oakes - the power behind the London end of the company. IC103 was registered in County Carlow at around the same time as the factory also registered IC104 and IC105 which were on 1913 Talbot’s latest competition cars - but IC103 does not seem to have had a competition role. It was registered in Carlow but the owner, Mr Oakes, lived and worked in London.
When new IC103 was fitted with a “torpedo” body built by Brown Hughes and Strachan or B.H.S of Park Royal who, being close to the Talbot factory in London at Barlby Road, were one of Talbot’s favoured coachbuilders. BHS were commended in the contemporary Autocar for offering a sporting type of open torpedo body with a bulbous back which was made “very low”.
IC103 was kept in the Oakes family and by 12th January 1921 its second owner/keeper was Montague Percy Rowland Oakes of Gras Lawn, Exeter. He retained IC103 until 1931. The log book shows that he taxed and used IC103 until the local former Talbot agents in Devon, Gould Brothers Limited of Paris Street, Exeter, took over as the keeper of IC103 on 25th September 1931 and offered it for resale.
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