1953 Talbot T26 Record

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The 1953 Talbot T26 Record represents the final chapter of the Talbot‑Lago marque’s postwar luxury lineage. The T26 series originated in 1946, introduced as a large, six‑cylinder executive car crafted under the leadership of Antonio “Tony” Lago, who had acquired the French Talbot operation in 1935 and revitalized its engineering and racing ambitions.

Throughout its production run from 1946 to 1953, the T26 was offered in multiple factory body styles—sedan, convertible, and coach variants—while numerous elite European coachbuilders such as Saoutchik, Figoni & Falaschi, Graber, and Antem created bespoke bodies for well‑heeled clients. The T26 featured a potent 4.5‑liter inline‑six engine producing 170–190 horsepower, depending on configuration, and was paired with Talbot’s Wilson pre‑select gearbox.

By 1953, Talbot‑Lago was struggling financially, and the final T26 models—including Record and Grand Sport variants—were among the last hand‑built luxury cars produced before the company succumbed to industry consolidation pressures. Production numbers were low, making 1953 T26s particularly rare today. Contemporary market summaries indicate that surviving 1953 examples, such as the T26 Record Cabriolet, appear only occasionally in historical listings, underscoring their scarcity and collectibility.

The 1953 Talbot T26 Record thus stands as a symbol of prewar craftsmanship carried into the postwar era—an elegant, powerful, and evocative final flourish from one of France’s premier luxury manufacturers.

This 1953 Talbot T26 Record is represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Florida title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

• The same basic engine architecture powered the T26C Grand Prix cars, including Talbot‑Lago’s 1950 Le Mans victory

• Fewer than 590 Record models produced

• Mostly original blue leather interior

Factory Equipment

• 4482cc inline‑six, producing 170–190 hp

• Hemispherical combustion chambers

• Four‑speed Wilson pre‑selector gearbox

• Luxury coachbuilt body options

• Chrome 18” Rudge wire wheels with Z-bar knock offs

• Michelin tires

• Leaf spring four-spoke steering wheel

• Center-hinged doors

• Louvered hood panels

• Original burlap trunk liner

• Rear-mounted spare tire with metal cover

• Rear window privacy curtain

• Sliding sunroof

• Period radio and clock

• Chrome bi-plane style bumpers

• Wood grained dashboard with original instrumentation

• Stylish chrome trim and ornimentation

Servicing & Documentation

• The Museum repainted the car and installed a replacement dash and trim in faux wood.

• This 1953 Talbot T26 Record has been maintained by the museum’s dedicated restoration team to ensure it remains clean and “road ready."

Ownership History

This 1953 Talbot T26 Record was originally imported from France to Denver, Colorado, as the official French Consul vehicle.

This 1953 Talbot T26 Record is offered from the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.

Included Items

• Historic documents

Additional Information

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 Email: dgould@hagerty.com