Description
This car is Lot 125 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 125
1935 Talbot BI105 Speed Tourer
Registration no.
Chassis no. 4004
First owned by the Edinburgh Police Force for ceremonial duties
matching engine and chassis numbers
Older, specialist restoration
Several long-term ownerships
First Speed Tourer completed and fourth BI105 model produced
English registration document
During the 1930s Talbot was highly successful in rallying and racing, with Le Mans, Brooklands, the Alpine Trial and the 1000 Mile Trial on its respectable track record. That was exactly what Swiss-born Georges Roesch, Talbot's chief engineer, had in mind when he developed his high-performance engines, combining them with excellent braking and steering capacities and a strong but lightweight chassis. Talbot, then part of the Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq merger, was by far the most successful of the three joined companies, thanks to Roesch's engineering skills. Roesch had already saved the marque from collapsing in 1926 by developing the 14/ 45, a six-cylinder overhead-valve engine which at the time was the exponent of the company's one-model policy. When the 14/ 45 turned out to be a success, this policy was dropped and Roesch proceeded to develop the 75 and 90 models.
The 3, 0 litre six-cylinder 105 came in 1931 and featured staggered valves, a clever concept by Roesch to improve breathing. Other technical innovations applied in the new model were a Wilson pre-selector gearbox, driver-controlled hydraulic shock absorbers, centralised chassis lubrication and a lowered, cross-shaped chassis frame. It also used a separate starter motor instead of the much heavier 24-volt dynostart. The 105 was a desirable model, but unfortunately it couldn't prevent Talbot being dragged down by the two other, less successful marques in the merger when Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq was taken over by Rootes in 1935. The Talbot marque was discontinued two years later.
Bought new by the Edinburgh Police Force, this sporty and elegant Talbot BI105 Speed Tourer, chassis number 4004, was mainly used to fulfill ceremonial duties. Equipped with a 3. 0-liter six-cylinder OHV engine and a Wilson pre-selector gearbox, 'AFS 246' was completed in 1935, registered a year later, and remains a matching numbers car to this day.
After the war, the police force sold the Talbot to Mr. E. H. Grey, who owned it for 24 years before selling it to car collector Dr. A. Holmes Pickering in 1969. In the 2000s, the next owner, a well-known pre-war car enthusiast, commissioned a full professional restoration. Bruce Young Coachworks handled the bodywork, chassis, and running gear, while the engine was overhauled by specialist Tim Abbott. Invoices, correspondence, and photos are on file.
In 2011, a back axle rebuild, including fitting a new crown wheel and pinion with a higher touring ratio, was carried out by Talbot specialist I. S. Polson. Simultaneously, the setup was adjusted for a better driving experience. 'AFS 246' has been regularly serviced and is offered with a significant history file, including an original 1956 registration book and an old V5.
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5. 5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
