1906 Talbot Type CT4-0B 2024hp

The name Talbot is inextricably linked in the veteran era with that of Adolphe Clément who had commenced motor car production as early as 1899, graduating like so many contemporary French manufacturers from the bicycle industry and also active involvement in the development of the pneumatic tyre. Clément's earliest cars adopted the ubiquitous De Dion Bouton engines, while a Clément-Panhard was also built to the design of Commandant Krebs of Panhard-Levassor fame. Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury & Talbot, lent his name in 1903 to a new company established in England to import French Clément-Bayard motor cars. The Clément, Talbot, Bayard history is at best complicated and the marketing of their cars and branding thereof perhaps appeared somewhat random. This car carries supplier's plates bearing the name of Clement Talbot Ltd, Ladbroke Grove Works, North Kensington and the Veteran Car Club of GB, in dating the car in 1961, record it as a Talbot, the name by which the marque was commonly known by 1906. Whatever the nomenclature there is no doubting that here is a car of quality for which all the aforementioned brand names were highly respected.

Factory records confirm that this car was erected on 20th June 1906, with side entry coachwork by Rothschild, a company with which Chetwynd-Talbot was associated. It was invoiced on 24th July that year and sold to Wholesale Factors, The Hollingdrake Automobile Co.Ltd. of Stockport. It is not recorded to whom they sold the car but it bears a registration number suggesting first registration with Manchester C.B.C. Its full history is not recorded, however in post war years it was in the ownership of Bentley and Talbot aficionado, the late Harry Rose, later passing to Cheltenham VCC member Bill Allen, before passing into the custody of Brian Moore of Alcester in 1988, in whose care it remained until his recent death. During the Moore family ownership N 1935 has been extensively campaigned both in VCC events and on the Continent and in Ireland where it is known for both reliability and a healthy turn of speed.

The four cylinders, each separately cast, have bore and stroke of 100x120mm., giving an engine capacity of 3,770cc. Combined with a four-speed gearbox this is indeed a capable motor car. The two-seater coachwork is of more recent manufacture, but in period style, and is smartly liveried in maroon with cream coach-lining and furnished with excellent black leather, buttoned upholstery. The car sits on 875x105mm. tyres and driving equipment includes a two-piece cranked windscreen, hood, Lucas No.786 Duplex self-contained acetylene headlamps, Lucas oil side lamps, a Lucas oil rear lamp and a Serpent's head bulb horn. The nearside running board incorporates a useful tool locker and to the rear there is a practical boot and luggage carrying platform. The dashboard sports four oil sight glasses and a Smith's 0-50mph speedometer, the limits of which we suspect have on occasion been challenged! Further practical equipment includes a brass rear view mirror, a Stepney wheel and spare tyre, together with spare oil and fuel reservoirs.

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