Description
As a Swiss, Talbot Chief Engineer Georges Roesch designed his cars with Alpine motoring in mind. With their combination of a strong and powerful push-rod six-cylinder engine, powerful brakes, light and accurate steering and a compact, light yet sturdy chassis it is no surprise that Talbots excelled in the Alpine Trials of the 1930s, then undoubtedly the foremost long-distance rally and an incredible test for both car and driver. Coupled with their successes at Le Mans, Ards and Brooklands the Talbot AV105 was clearly the most effective British sporting car of its size in the period. These successes culminated in the 1934 Alpine Trial where the famed Talbot Team of specially bodied and prepared cars, registered BGH 21, 22 and 23, got through this most arduous of events without losing a single mark. This success has been echoed today and Talbots have been hugely successful in rallies such as the Flying Scotsman, 1000 Mile Trial, Alpine Trial and countless others.
The restoration of this car was carried out for a well-known enthusiast of the Talbot marque. A man who likes his cars to look and perform to an absolutely first-class state at all times and who was, with ‘DLR 73’, over the last 15 years the most active and consistently successful Talbot rally driver. With numerous class wins and overall top 3 placings in the Flying Scotsman, Scottish Malts and Shamrock Vintage Challenge
As such, no time or expense was spared from the inception of the build of ‘DLR’ by our sister Talbot specialist IS Polson in order to make it the best possible rally car, whilst sticking wherever possible to the original specification of these cars. As such ‘DLR’ represents one of the best sorted Talbot rally cars in our opinion, and in the right hands is ready to be competitive on the rally stage once again.
The starting point for the restoration was a Talbot AZ100 Limousine completed in December 1936. First registered 8 January 1937 to Mrs Rita Gibson of Gloucestershire. Chassis number 4739, engine number 95. This model being fitted from new with 3, 377cc ‘110’ engine as fitted by the works to ‘BGH 23’ in period, its torque and power making it the ideal Talbot rally car engine. As shown in the original buff logbook on file the car had several owners up to when this was cancelled in 1946.
Talbot 110 owner Bob Dunning advertised for Talbot 110 spares in the 1980s and was contacted by Mr Stott who owned ‘DLR’, by that point in Cornwall, very derelict but complete with the original, unusually un-damaged and low mileage 110 engine still fitted.
The immediately proceeding owner purchased ‘DLR 73’ from Bob in August 2006. And gave the car to IS Polson with the brief to build the most effective rally car possible whilst staying as close as possible to the period specification of the works ‘BGH’ Rally cars. As such all parts were rebuilt as thoroughly as possible, the engine being fully rebuilt to be a reliable torquey unit ideal for rallying. Since the owner wanted the most robust rally car possible new chassis side members were incorporated and a correct original 105 type rear axle was fitted, an exact replica body was built and fitted as per the 1934 ‘BGH’ rally cars, with trim by John Foy. See copious invoices and photographic record on file for the restoration.
The restoration took two and a half years, from 2006-2008. Since restoration, ‘DLR 73’ has lived up to all expectations, providing huge fun and reliability for over 15 years. It has never missed a beat on rallies, and only suffered one breakdown of any significance, when a front wheel bearing collapsed in the Alps in 2017.
‘DLR’ has taken part in numerous pre-War rallies always proving competitive. Recent successes include:
• 2009 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 6th overall, 2nd in Class
• 2010 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 3rd overall
• 2011 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 4th overall, 1st in Class
• 2012 – Scottish Malts Rally, Gold Medal, 1st in Pre-war Class, 5th overall, winner Concours de Confort et d’Équipement
• 2013 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 3rd overall
• 2014 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 3rd overall
• 2015 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 3rd overall
• 2016 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 6th overall, 2nd in Class
• 2017 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 4th overall, 1st in Class
• 2018 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 8th overall, 1st in Class
• 2019 – VSCC Measham Night Rally – 3rd overall, 2nd Class Award
• 2019 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 7th overall, 1st in Class
• 2022 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 15th overall, 1st in Class
• 2022 – Shamrock Vintage Challenge, 10th overall, 1st in Class
• 2023 – Flying Scotsman Rally, 9th overall, 1st in Class
The car has proved equally adept at more gentle tours completing numerous trips to the Alps, the Pyrenees, Le Mans and beyond.
With age catching up with him the immediately proceeding owner decided to pass ‘DLR’ on.
‘DLR 73’ has been meticulously maintained. With almost all work being undertaken by IS Polson. Some of the more significant repairs and other upgrades have included:
• 2014 – new Crown Wheel and Pinion, replacing the 4:1 ratio with a longer-legged 3. 7:1. This gives just under 25mph per 1000rpm in top gear.
• 2019 – Gearbox rebuild, by renowned specialist Cecil Schumacher- invoice on file.
• 2020 – new aluminium cylinder head fitted. The original head had incurred several cracks and had been stitched three times. The new head setup was then tested on the rolling road for optimum performance- giving 172 bhp and more importantly for rallying, terrific torque – see rolling road print-out on file.
• 2020 – New spring leaves fitted to rear springs to improve the ride.
The engine and gearbox are on a common oil supply, and whilst in the current owners hands the engine oil has been changed regularly using 10W-40 semi synthetic oil. The car has just had the latest oil and filter change.
The engine block and bottom end appear to be in excellent condition. Oil pressure is around 50-55psi cold, running at 45-55psi when hot. The pistons were fitted with new rings in 2014 following one of a number of problems with the old cylinder head, and at the time the bores and crankshaft bearings were all deemed to need no attention. The honing marks on the bores from the original rebuild are still visible today.
The engine runs at a steady 75-85 degrees, occasionally touching 90 on hot days on hard mountain climbs – the radiator has only recently been serviced and checked over by a specialist. There is a thermostat with a built-in by-pass in the top pipe, removing the need for the standard mechanical shutters.
‘DLR’ is well shod with Dunlop 5-stud Racing Tyres, including two brand new, on 4” rims, and is offered with 2 spare wheels and sundry spares.
An example of arguably the best British rally car of the 1930s, purpose built with pre-war rallying in mind, ‘DLR’ has a proven record of success in the world’s best historic rallying events and is ready for the new owner to enjoy.
