The 1939 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS: A Rare Automotive Masterpiece

A Lightweight, High-Performance Vision

The Talbot T150 C SS was the firm’s attempt to build a lightweight, high-performance competition car. Although it wasn’t overly successful on the big stage, it did perform well at Le Mans and the French Grand Prix. However, these cars were notable for supporting magnificent bodies crafted by the cream of 1930s coachbuilding talent.

The Aerocoupé and Its Visionary Creator

The lithe and lovely Aerocoupé was designed by the brilliant Georges Paulin, a hero of the French Resistance. Car design wasn’t Paulin’s initial calling; he was a dentist. In the mid-1920s, while taking a break from his dental work and watching a deluged Delage driver struggle to get his soft-top up in heavy rain, Paulin’s mind began to craft the idea of a retractable hardtop, which eventually led to the design of the Talbot.

From Dentistry to Automotive Design

With the help of a mechanical engineer friend, Paulin set to work on the retractable hardtop and eventually patented the idea in 1932. His innovative concept caught the attention of Marcel Pourtout, who was impressed by its style, mechanics, and aerodynamics. This led Paulin to leave dentistry altogether and become Pourtout’s chief designer, where they developed the Talbot designs further.

The Creation of a Timeless Classic

Built in the suburbs of Paris by the Pourtout coachworks, this particular Talbot – chassis 90120, photoed at Concours of Elegance 2024 – was unfinished when World War Two broke out. It was finally completed in 1944 and hidden from the Nazis during the wartime occupation of France.

A Short but Stellar Racing Career

This remarkable Talbot had a short yet scintillating motorsport career, competing in 16 events between 1950 and 1952 under the Ecurie Nice team, driven by Pierre ‘Pagnibon’ Boncompagni. Astonishingly, it won 14 of these events, which ranged from circuit races to hill climbs.

A Journey Across Continents

In 1955, the Talbot was acquired by Francis Mortarini, who exported it to dealer Otto Zipper of Santa Monica, California. By 1958, it had found a new owner in James R Stannard Jr of Long Beach.

A Hidden Gem Rediscovered

In the early 1960s, Stannard sold the T150 C SS to marque specialist Lindley T Locke of Los Angeles, where it gathered dust in his garage for years. It remained there until Locke’s death in August 2001. Seven years later, the car was acquired by The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie in 2008, who had it restored by Ashton Keynes Vintage Restorations in the UK, returning the Talbot to its Ecurie Nice specification.

Recognition at Pebble Beach

This wonderful Talbot T150 C SS achieved major recognition when it won its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2014, securing its place as a true automotive icon.

Technical Specifications

Engine: 3994cc / Inline-six / Naturally aspirated / OHV

Transmission: Four-speed pre-selector manual, RWD

Power – 170bhp

Torque – N/A

Top Speed – N/A

0-60 MPH – N/A

Weight – 1600kg

Absolutely stunning car. A work of art. What a beauty. This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.

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