Beschreibung:

2,996cc OHV Inline 6-cylinder engine Single Zenith-Stromberg carburetor, 90bhp at 3,800rpm 4-Speed Wilson Pre-Select gearbox Front, independent by transverse leaf, live rear axle with leaf springs 4-Wheel Drum Brakes *Single family ownership for the last 55 years *Rare survivor of limited production T120 Cabriolet model *Subject of a careful and thorough restoration *Winner of numerous prizes in Concours d'Elegance events TALBOT-LAGO On the dissolution of the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine in 1934, one of the company's assistant directors, Major Anthony 'Tony' Lago, bought the factory at Suresnes and continued production, selling his cars as Talbot in France. The revitalized marque embraced both sports car and Grand Prix racing, and in 1937 achieved victories in the French Grand Prix and the Tourist Trophy; from then onwards it was an uphill struggle against the state-subsidized might of the German and Italian opposition. There were, however, many notable successes in the immediate pre-war and post-war years, including three Grand Prix wins for French Champion Louis Rosier, and by the coming of war in 1939 Tony Lago had succeeded in creating a marque ranked alongside the very best in Europe. The first newly designed Talbot-Lago built cars introduced for 1935 retained the existing X-braced, independently front suspended chassis, and were powered by a trio of new six-cylinder engines designed by ex-FIAT engineer Walter Becchia: 2.7-liter 15CV, 3.0-liter 17CV and 4.0-liter 23CV, the latter featuring inclined overhead valves set in hemispherical combustion chambers and opened by crossed pushrods. The Wilson Pre-Select 4-Speed transmission was also employed in these new models. The new Talbot-Lago sport cabriolet models (T120 and T150) were among the great sensations of the 1935 Season Paris Auto Show, held at the end of 1934. The new coachwork, designed and patented by Figoni, won the Coupe d'Excellence award at the 1935 Concours d'Elegance de l'Auto, and by agreement, this Figoni coachwork would be used the following year on Talbot factory produced models. Contemporary marketing for the brand played on the profile of its clientele, it read 'Un Talbot se reconnait aussi à l'élégance de sa propriétaire' - which translates as "A Talbot reflects the elegance of its owner". The new luxury sporty cabriolet models further appealed to an increased public desire for new technology, greater power and speed - along with a more adventurous, modern, and very elegant design. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED Talbot historians cite a production estimate of only 40 of these T120 Sport Cabriolets built with this unique Figoni design. After decades of searching, the owners of this car have been able to identify only 5 other examples to still be surviving today - making its exceptionally elegant beauty all the more elusive to obtain. A well-known car in California since its emergence from restoration in 2005 and its debut at The Quail, this rare and supremely elegant Talbot-Lago has resided with its current custodian family since 1962, a remarkable 55 years of ownership... Through extensive research, the owners have been able to ascertain that it was delivered new to one Jacques Puget in the southern French coastal city of Marseille and first registered there on April 9, 1937. Within 2 years it transitioned Maurice Martignon in that same town, on January 4, 1939. Mr. Martignon lovingly cared for the car for over 22 years and protected it in storage during the war years. It was in Marseille, France that this Talbot-Lago was discovered and acquired by the present owner's father in August of 1962, and brought home with him to Southern California. It was always the intention to restore the car, but ultimately it took some time before this became a reality. Fortunately it was a very sound basis, and mostly complete particularly in respect to the tricky hard to find trim details. Working with a handful of specialty restorers, this car was completely restored from the