Talbot's powerful and sporting 25/50hp model was designed by George W A Brown (later of Coventry Premier) working under Talbot Chief Designer, Mills. Like the Pomeroy-designed Prince Henry Vauxhall, its sidevalve engine gave little outward indication of its startling potential. This potential was manifest in numerous competition successes, including being the first car to cover 100 miles in the hour.
Little surprise therefore that the Talbot marque, marketed by Clement Talbot Ltd of Barlby Road, North Kensington, London, was advertised as 'The Invincible Talbot'. The Talbot ranking alongside the likes of the Prince Henry Vauxhall and the Alfonso Hispano-Suiza, both as a fast touring and sporting car.
The current vendor's late father purchased this 25/50hp Talbot at a UK auction in 1994. At that time the car had been the same family ownership for nearly 40 years having been acquired in the late 1950s in the Bristol area where it had been sold new in June 1921.
The family used the Talbot as a promotional tool for their motor agency in Bristol, displaying it on the roof of one of the showrooms. Totally renovated in 1968, the car was subsequently displayed at the Cheddar Motor Museum and the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford. It has also been featured on television and in specialist publications.
'PA 9062' is finished in maroon with black wings and roof, while the interior is trimmed in deep-buttoned beige Bedford Cord with brocade edging. The windows are of the railway carriage type, and the instrumentation is believed original. Here is a rare car (one of just a handful known) of outstanding quality from a leading British manufacturer of the day, well capable of keeping reasonable pace with modern traffic and yet having that quintessentially early-Vintage charm. It is offered with an old-style buff logbook and correspondence from The Autocar, the STD Register, and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Please note that although still fitted with the original UK registration number, this car has been in Ireland for many years, so the number may need re-applying for.
Bonhams 2018
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