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Rare Talbot-Darracq Races On To Starting Grid For Bonhams Sale At Retromobile
www.bonhams.com/retromobile
 Bonhams is delighted to offer a 1926-27 1.5-litre supercharged straight-eight Talbot-Darracq as part of its line-up for the annual Retromobile auction sale to be held in Paris, on 23 January 2010.
One of the most charismatic, exciting and advanced Grand Prix cars of the so-called "Roaring Twenties", this immaculately restored Talbot-Darracq is sure to turn heads and, as such, has attracted a pre-sale estimate of €EUROS 400,000 - 600,000.
The car was conceived by two Italian Grand Prix engineers working at Talbot's Suresnes factory in Paris and at the time set new standards in automobile excellence, producing some 160 bhp from just 1,488 cc capacity.
These new cars made a delayed racing debut at the 1926 English Grand Prix at Brooklands Motor Course, where team drivers Albert Divo and Henry Segrave led immediately but were ultimately sidelined with teething troubles. Just a month later success came with a 1-2 victory in the JCC 200-Miles race and then a stunning 1-2-3 at Montlhéry, France. The cars were updated with a reinforced chassis in 1927, only for Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq to fall into financial ruin forcing all three of its low-slung Grand Prix cars sold to the Italian privateer Emilio Materassi. Even after his untimely death, the Materassi team continued to race these cars before they were sold at the end of the 1930 season to Enrico Platé. Platé continued to race them in ever modified form – including (from 1931) new stiffer chassis frames.
This particular car passed via intermediate owners to Australia. When found – and rescued by the vendor – in March 1988 the car was complete, but in need of comprehensive restoration. It has now been painstakingly - and beautifully - rebuilt to running condition retaining the Platé 1931 chassis, whilst otherwise meeting the 1926-27 Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq Grand Prix Racing specification.
James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams Motoring Department said: "Legendary is a too often used term with collectors' cars, but in this case it's entirely appropriate. This is one of just three Grand Prix Talbot-Darracqs built for the 1926 season and has a well-known and chronicled history. The engineering is magical, a 1.5-litre supercharged straight-eight capable of a then astronomical 7,000 rpm. The engine incorporated dozens of intricate roller- and ball-race bearings to minimise internal friction loss. And it's not a static exhibit, it is fully operational with the present owner enjoying various motor sport events in Australia."
For further press information please contact Francesca Tarrant or Rosie Kempson at The Communication Group on 07984 072 045 or email rkempson@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (January 2008)
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