Story and Photos Mike Spicer
The Talbot brand has a complicated history. In short, the French part of the car company Automobiles Talbot France was purchased by colorful entrepreneur/engineer Antonio Lago in 1936. He renamed the company Talbot-Lago then brought in luxury coachbuilders Figoni & Falaschi to design the 1937 teardrop coupé T150-C-SS.
These cars hosted many engineering advancements not to mention the stellar aerodynamic design. They were true works of art. Only about 10 to 12 of the teardrop coupés were built and while the car company faced many ups and downs Antonio Lago kept his hand on the wheel of the company.
“Imagination is the only key to the future, without it none exists – with it all things are possible.”
– Ida Tarbell
The 1955-59 Talbot-Lago Sport was created at the end of Antonio Lago’s run with the company. The stylish body was designed by Carlo Delaisse and constructed of aluminum and fiberglass. There was a complicated history regarding its power plant. The inline four cylinder was proving a bit rough and the company lacked resources for improvements so in1957 the cars were fitted with a BMW 2.4 V8 and renamed the Talbot-Lago America.
These cars did not take the market by storm and only about a dozen BMW – powered Talbot-Lago Americas were sold. In 1959 Tony Lago decided to sell the company to Simca with them furnishing their 2.3 Simca V8 engine in the final cars they adopted. This was not a sports car engine and Simca obviously had different plans, thus the Talbot-Lago era came to an end and the name retired.
When I look at these cars I see pure works of art. The fact that they are transportation seems secondary and I find a beautiful perspective at every angle. It’s wonderful to think about the conversations that transpired during the creation of these cars and reminds me of an Ida Tarbell quote “Imagination is the only key to the future, without it none exists – with it all things are possible.”
