Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1938 Talbot-Lago T4 Minor
Estimate
£12, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: 433 UYF
Chassis No:
MOT: Exempt
The most affordable entry point into the exclusive Talbot-Lago brand
Extensively restored in France during the 1990s
Imported into the UK in 2014
Known ownership since 1955
Due to the bankruptcy and break-up of the Anglo-French motor manufacturer Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq in 1935, an enterprising Venitian engineer by the name of Tony Lago would purchase the French part of the business in 1936. Lago had built much of his motoring industry experience in England during the 1920s and wasted no time in replacing the pre-bankruptcy models with several elegant new models to the newly found ‘Talbot-Lago’ company. These new designs were at first lightweight sporting six-cylinder models designed by fellow Italian ex-pat Walter Becchia and included the Talbot Baby, Talbot Cadette and the Talbot Major.
The launch of the four-cylinder T4 Minor at the Paris Auto Show 1937 represented something of a departure for Talbot-Lago and allowed the company to compete within a slighter lower down price bracket. Taking its chassis from the existing Talbot Baby, a new sports saloon body was designed which resembled the larger Cadette and Major. The 2, 323cc overhead valve engine was fed by a single Stromberg carburettor and produced 62hp at 4, 000 rpm. To keep things upmarket, the Minor was only offered in Right Hand Drive, which was in keeping with most of the more expensive French cars. Unfortunately, by 1940 the Talbot factory would be converted to use for the war effort, spelling the end for the Minor.
More information to follow.
