1935 Talbot BA110 Drophead Coupé

1935 Talbot BA110 Drophead Coupé Coachwork by James Young

The most successful division of the Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine, Talbot might well have escaped take-over by Rootes in 1935 had it not been shackled to its weaker partners. The company's healthy position had been achieved by a succession of well-engineered products penned by its designer, Swiss-born Charles Roesch, whose obsession with the pursuit of high performance through increased engine revolutions led to some of the most memorable cars of the 1930s. Talbot's Chief Engineer from 1916, Roesch rescued the company from the brink of failure with the launch of the 14/45. Introduced in 1926 as the basis of a one-model policy, the 14/45, like all Roesch's Talbot creations, was powered by a smooth and flexible six-cylinder overhead-valve engine endowed with a remarkably high output for its size.

Abandoning the one-model programme, Roesch developed the 14/45 to produce the 75 and 90 models, the latter setting Talbot on the path towards renewed sporting success. 1931 saw the arrival of the 3.0-litre 105 powered by a new 'six' featuring staggered valves, a Roesch stratagem allowing for improved breathing. There was more technical innovation for 1933 in the form of Luvax adjustable dampers and the Roesch-designed, Wilson pre-selector gearbox, the latter augmented for 1935 by Talbot's famous automatic 'traffic clutch' which permitted sequential upward gearchanges. Also new for '35 were a dropped chassis frame and a 3.4-litre model - the BA110. The ultimate Roesch Talbot, the latter had 120bhp on tap and provided 95mph performance while offering class-leading refinement. One of the great cars of the 1930s, the Talbot 110 was axed by new masters Rootes in 1937, the post-BA models having progressively incorporated more and more standardised Rootes components.

One of only 41 BA-series Talbot 110s built between October 1934 and October 1935, most of which were saloons, 'BYP 72' is the last of the first batch of ten constructed in 1935 for Pass & Joyce Ltd of Hanover Square, London W1 and probably the only example existing fitted with concealed-hood, drophead coupé coachwork by James Young. Talbot's London distributor, Pass & Joyce was also one of London's Rolls-Royce main agents and enjoyed a special relationship with coachbuilder James Young. One of London's largest motor dealers, they followed in the established tradition of main agents sponsoring the manufacturer's competition programme. Pass & Joyce's sponsorship would be well rewarded, for the three famous 'BGH'-registered Talbot 105 works cars entered in the 1934 Alpine Rally duly walked off with the Team Prize.

First registered on 1st July 1935, 'BYP 72' remains an exceptionally original car, retaining its James Young coachwork and fittings as commissioned by Pass & Joyce. The car is known both to the Talbot Owners Club and marque expert Anthony Blight.

Boasting the pre-selector gearbox, traffic clutch, precise steering and powerful brakes, 'BYP 72' has a top speed approaching 100mph and is thus very well equipped to take part in European rallies and speed events. Indeed, in previous years it has participated very successfully in rallies in Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. Anyone who has driven a Talbot 110 will understand why they are so often to be found at the forefront of events such as the Le Mans Classic.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams & flickr & wikimedia & talbotportal