1932 TALBOT-DARRACQ TWO SEATER RACING SPECIAL Registration No. NJ 4281 Chassis No. 36466 Engine No. 34040 Slate blue with red-oxide drums, black wheels and trim. Engine: 8-cylinders in-line, push-rod OHV; Gearbox: 4-speed preselective; Suspension: semi-elliptic springs front and rear; Brakes: 4-wheel mechanical drum. Right hand drive. Although both English and French "Talbot" and French "Darracq" companies built racing cars from 1900-1930's and some of their manufacturing operations were dove-tailed for a short time, this particular car was not a works product from any of the factories. It is however an ingenious amalgam of components from both English and French derivatives, assembled into this remarkable "special": the major components of which, apart from the bodywork, nearly all date from 1932 or earlier to produce a machine that evokes the aura of a racing-car of the mid 1920's. The brainchild of the vendor, this machine comprises the chassis of an English Type "65" which has been shortened and narrowed and mildly modified to accomodate the French Talbot factory's rare, short production straight-eight "Pacific" type engine and gearbox. The axles, brakes and transmission are standard Type 65. The dimensions of chassis and wheel-base have been based on the legendary Alfa Romeo P2 of 1925 and the stunning 2-seater bodywork, hand-beaten and crafted by Duncan Ricketts, is modelled very closely along those lines. The engine, of 8-cylinder in-line design is very similar in essence to the English 6-cylinder unit which it replaces, having overhead valves operated by push-rods and a non cross-flow cylinder head, following the origins of Coatalen's designs; the gearbox is of the Wilson Patent pre-selective type, which is the original to this engine. All mechanical components have been completely overhauled and rebuilt during the assembly of the car, which has now covered some 3,000 trouble free road and competition mileage. The construction and creation, painstakingly accomplished over a period of more than 4 years epitomises the true essence of the special-builders' art and is encapsulated within this very authentic-looking car to the extent that all ancillaries, carefully acquired from autojumbles, collectors and restorers across Europe, are of the highest quality and absolutely original for given cars of the period. The instrumentation, carefully set in an engine-turned aluminium dashboard, comprise Jaeger chronometric rev-counter and speedometer and "time-of-trip" chronograph clock, with Bosch ignition/lighting centre unit and individual switches, adorned with period lights and decorative suppliers-plate. Other accoutrements all have an individual history: the driver's seat is from a pre-war Grand Prix Alfa Romeo; the passenger seat from the "Monza" Lister-Jaguar; the wonderful art-deco steering wheel from a Panhard-Levassor (similar to that on the record-breaker driven by George Eyston); the large down-draught S.U. carburettor from one of the E-type E.R.A.'s; and the elegant long-eared knock-off hub-caps were rejected by a purist Bugatti restorer! It is fitted with a fine pair of period headlamps, which have special integral wire-mesh protective lens-covers, and although fully useable on the road, does not subscribe to a set of mudguards! However, it is road registered with the original number for the chassis and has been regularly used for Continental rallies and sprint events, including a 500 mile maiden trip across the south of France, incorporating laps of both Clermont-Ferrand and Albi circuits and ascents of both the Puits de Dome and Mont Ventoux hills. For such events it has sufficient luggage space contained within the tail to accomodate two small overnight bags and attendant water-proofs! The car is fully V.S.C.C. approved and has the pre-requisite "Blue-Form" document confirming acceptability for all such events. It is presented in excellent running order (allowing for a slight weep from the water-pump gland)
1932 TALBOT-DARRACQ TWO SEATER RACING SPECIAL Registration No. NJ 4281 Chassis No. 36466 Engine No. 34040 Slate blue with red-oxide drums, black wheels and trim. Engine: 8-cylinders in-line, push-rod OHV; Gearbox: 4-speed preselective; Suspension: semi-elliptic springs front and rear; Brakes: 4-wheel mechanical drum. Right hand drive. Although both English and French "Talbot" and French "Darracq" companies built racing cars from 1900-1930's and some of their manufacturing operations were dove-tailed for a short time, this particular car was not a works product from any of the factories. It is however an ingenious amalgam of components from both English and French derivatives, assembled into this remarkable "special": the major components of which, apart from the bodywork, nearly all date from 1932 or earlier to produce a machine that evokes the aura of a racing-car of the mid 1920's. The brainchild of the vendor, this machine comprises the chassis of an English Type "65" which has been shortened and narrowed and mildly modified to accomodate the French Talbot factory's rare, short production straight-eight "Pacific" type engine and gearbox. The axles, brakes and transmission are standard Type 65. The dimensions of chassis and wheel-base have been based on the legendary Alfa Romeo P2 of 1925 and the stunning 2-seater bodywork, hand-beaten and crafted by Duncan Ricketts, is modelled very closely along those lines. The engine, of 8-cylinder in-line design is very similar in essence to the English 6-cylinder unit which it replaces, having overhead valves operated by push-rods and a non cross-flow cylinder head, following the origins of Coatalen's designs; the gearbox is of the Wilson Patent pre-selective type, which is the original to this engine. All mechanical components have been completely overhauled and rebuilt during the assembly of the car, which has now covered some 3,000 trouble free road and competition mileage. The construction and creation, painstakingly accomplished over a period of more than 4 years epitomises the true essence of the special-builders' art and is encapsulated within this very authentic-looking car to the extent that all ancillaries, carefully acquired from autojumbles, collectors and restorers across Europe, are of the highest quality and absolutely original for given cars of the period. The instrumentation, carefully set in an engine-turned aluminium dashboard, comprise Jaeger chronometric rev-counter and speedometer and "time-of-trip" chronograph clock, with Bosch ignition/lighting centre unit and individual switches, adorned with period lights and decorative suppliers-plate. Other accoutrements all have an individual history: the driver's seat is from a pre-war Grand Prix Alfa Romeo; the passenger seat from the "Monza" Lister-Jaguar; the wonderful art-deco steering wheel from a Panhard-Levassor (similar to that on the record-breaker driven by George Eyston); the large down-draught S.U. carburettor from one of the E-type E.R.A.'s; and the elegant long-eared knock-off hub-caps were rejected by a purist Bugatti restorer! It is fitted with a fine pair of period headlamps, which have special integral wire-mesh protective lens-covers, and although fully useable on the road, does not subscribe to a set of mudguards! However, it is road registered with the original number for the chassis and has been regularly used for Continental rallies and sprint events, including a 500 mile maiden trip across the south of France, incorporating laps of both Clermont-Ferrand and Albi circuits and ascents of both the Puits de Dome and Mont Ventoux hills. For such events it has sufficient luggage space contained within the tail to accomodate two small overnight bags and attendant water-proofs! The car is fully V.S.C.C. approved and has the pre-requisite "Blue-Form" document confirming acceptability for all such events. It is presented in excellent running order (allowing for a slight weep from the water-pump gland)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
