Carmel,20 July, 2021

A concours-standard example of one of the most powerful, most glamorous and unique automobiles of the Art Deco era - which was discovered more than 50 years ago - will grace the lawns of Quail Lodge next month, leading the Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction on August 13, when the auction house returns to Carmel after two years.

The 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable (estimate on request), was one of only four examples fitted with bodywork created by celebrated carrossier Figoni et Falaschi, leading coachbuilders of the time. The flamboyant lines of the motorcar offered were based on their distinctive whale-like Narval design, during what is recognised as their last great period of creativity. This powerful styling was matched by its high-performance 4.5-litre, 175hp engine and the sporting handling of the all-new Talbot-Lago chassis.

... Bonhams The Quail Lodge Auction Galleries >>>

Related Material

·

·

·

·

Of the four bespoke cabriolet variants produced, only two have survived. This is a once in a generation opportunity to acquire this spectacular machine, and to unveil it at a number of the most prestigious concours events.

The T26 started life as a concours Queen, making its debut at the Deauville Concours d'elegance, a few weeks after its completion. Its first owner Gilbert Fayol, scion of the notable French industrialist family, who commissioned its bespoke bodywork, presented his elegant new motorcar at the fashionable event, along with his equally glamorous friend, Mademoiselle Michelle Cancre, the French female horse-jumping champion.

However, less than a decade later, having been sold on, it had been driven to the point of unroadworthiness. It was discovered in a sorry state in the 1960s, albeit complete with its original chassis, bodywork and engine, by its next owner, who then stored the car for another 20 years in his countryside barn.
Finally, the approach of the 1990s saw a return to the good life for the T26, with its first restoration completed to a high standard, meriting a place at the Parisian Rétromobile classic car show, where it was bought off the stand. It was later acquired for the fabled Rosso-Bianco Collection in Germany in which it was displayed until the collection closed in 2006.

Of the four bespoke cabriolet variants produced, only two have survived. This is a once in a generation opportunity to acquire this spectacular machine, and to unveil it at a number of the most prestigious concours events.

The T26 started life as a concours Queen, making its debut at the Deauville Concours d'elegance, a few weeks after its completion. Its first owner Gilbert Fayol, scion of the notable French industrialist family, who commissioned its bespoke bodywork, presented his elegant new motorcar at the fashionable event, along with his equally glamorous friend, Mademoiselle Michelle Cancre, the French female horse-jumping champion.

However, less than a decade later, having been sold on, it had been driven to the point of unroadworthiness. It was discovered in a sorry state in the 1960s, albeit complete with its original chassis, bodywork and engine, by its next owner, who then stored the car for another 20 years in his countryside barn.
Finally, the approach of the 1990s saw a return to the good life for the T26, with its first restoration completed to a high standard, meriting a place at the Parisian Rétromobile classic car show, where it was bought off the stand. It was later acquired for the fabled Rosso-Bianco Collection in Germany in which it was displayed until the collection closed in 2006.

1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet, coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia. Estimate on request. The 1952 Geneva and Torino Auto Show car is Ferrari-Classiche Red Book certified and retains matching numbers.

1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, coachwork by Pinin Farina. Estimate on request. Among the most iconic sports cars ever made and driven by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, this is one of only 181 left-hand drive examples. A California car from new with well-documented history, it has been expertly restored.

... Lot List >>>

... Consolidated Monterey Galleries >>>