1935' Talbot Ba110

The most successful division of the Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq combine, Talbot might well have escaped take-over by Rootes in 1935 had it not been shackled to its weaker partners. The company's healthy position had been achieved by a succession of well-engineered products penned by its designer, Swiss-born Georges Roesch.

Abandoning the one-model programme, Roesch developed the 14/45 to produce the 75 and 90 models, the latter setting Talbot on the path towards renewed sporting success. 1931 saw the arrival of the 3.0-litre 105. There was more technical innovation for 1933 in the form of Luvax adjustable dampers and the Roesch-designed, Wilson pre-selector gearbox, the latter augmented for 1935 by Talbot's famous automatic 'traffic clutch' which permitted sequential upward changes. Also new for '35 were a dropped chassis frame and a 3.4-litre model - the BA110. The ultimate Roesch Talbot, the latter had 120bhp on tap and provided 95mph performance while offering class-leading refinement.

One of the great cars of the 1930s, the Talbot 110 was axed by new masters Rootes in 1937. As such the BA is the last of the classic line of Talbots that was entirely the brain-child of Roesch.

During the mid to late 1930s there was a vogue amongst buyers of cars of the highest quality for coach-built Drophead Coupes with cleverly concealed-hoods. These were seen to combine the best features of the clean lines of a tourer unencumbered by a bulky hood, combined with the weather proof, all weather cosiness of a Drop Head Coupe with a luxurious hood, wind up windows and large doors. Due to the complexity of these bodies they were extremely expensive to manufacture and were in most cases built as ones offs, by only the finest coachbuilders, as in the case of the exquisite example offered here which is by James Young. Founded in 1863, James Young were, by the 1930s, regarded as one of the finest coachbuilders. An indication of their quality was that they were bought by leading Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer Jack Barclay in 1937 to ensure exclusivity.

One of only 41 BA-series Talbot 110s built between October 1934 and October 1935, most of which were saloons, 'BYP 72' is the last of the first batch of ten constructed in 1935 for Pass & Joyce Ltd of Hanover Square, London W1 and the only example fitted with this exceptionally elegant concealed-hood, drophead coupé coachwork. Talbot's London distributor, Pass & Joyce was also one of London's Rolls-Royce main agents and enjoyed a special relationship with coachbuilder James Young. One of London's largest motor dealers, they followed in the established tradition of main agents sponsoring the manufacturer's competition programme. Pass & Joyce's sponsorship would be well rewarded, for the three famous 'BGH'-registered Talbot 105 works cars entered in the 1934 Alpine Rally duly won the event.

First registered on 1st July 1935, 'BYP 72' remains an exceptionally original car, retaining its James Young coachwork and fittings as commissioned by Pass & Joyce. Boasting the pre-selector gearbox, precise steering and powerful brakes, 'BYP 72' has a top speed approaching 100mph and as such was from new the ideal car for long distance high speed touring. The car is well known to the Talbot Owners Club and also prior to his death to marque expert, the late Anthony Blight. The first owner of this car is not currently known, a continuation Buff log book on file shows the car to have been owned by a Mr John Rabone by 1953, he appears to have retained the car until 1972 when it passed to Mr M.J. Erroll by this point the car was in need restoration.

In the 1980s it was noted that 'BYP 72' was an extremely original and complete car prior to restoration, work on which had begun in the 1970s and was continued into the 1980s by Vintage motoring enthusiast and WW2 flying ace, Wing Commander Richard Seys, DFC, who purchased the car from Erroll in 1979. There is considerable correspondence in the history file between Wing Commander Seys, Anthony Blight, renowned marque specialist Arthur Archer and others on the progress of the rebuild. At the time of restoration, 'BYP 72' had all its mechanicals attended to by Archer's. ‘BYP’ remained with Seys until 1988 when it passed via dealer Foulkes-Halbard to Mr T.R. Peirce of Shoreham, passing subsequently to Mr Leonard Houx and onto Mr David Wilkie in 2009, before passing to the current owner in 2013.

A great fan of the Talbot marque, the current owner had hankered after this car for some time, regarding it as the most elegantly bodied of all Talbots and as such the ideal pre-War car for Continental Touring. When acquired ‘BYP’ presented well, but it soon became apparent that much of the work carried out during the 1980s on the car was remedial and the car really required a full restoration. Not one to do things by halves the owner dispatched the car to Talbot specialists I.S. Polson who embarked upon a restoration right back to bare chassis, with chassis, axles drive train and engine (almost certainly that originally fitted to the car) all completely rebuilt with no expense spared to ensure the best job possible was done. Whilst this was being done the body was not neglected and again was completely restored. Being a Drophead Coupe with disappearing hood, this was not a straightforward task but with the assistance of Killick Fabrication and Coachbuilder Steve Pitts all was restored to exactly as James Young intended in 1935. As the finishing touch ‘BYP’ was finished in two tone blue to highlight the fine flowing lines. As a testament to the commitment shown by the owner in doing the most thorough job possible there are bills on file for well in excess of £400,000.

Since completion of the restoration ‘BYP’ has covered circa 4,000 miles, during which it has more than lived up to the owner’s high expectations. Effortlessly covering miles on the Continent in great comfort come rain or shine, whilst impressing all with the extreme elegance of its styling.

As at home on the Concours lawn as on French Boulevards or Scottish B roads 'BYP 72' is a uniquely elegant Talbot which will reward and impress any connoisseur of grand touring cars from their finest era.