Automobiles Talbot France

During 1916 the Suresnes assets, the whole French business, were transferred to Société Anonyme Automobiles Darracq, a new company incorporated in France for the purpose. British assets were transferred to a British company named Darracq Motor Engineering Company Limited. A Darracq and Company (1905) Limited was now no more than a holder of shares in these two businesses.[2]

After the War automobile production resumed as soon as the Suresnes factory had ceased making munitions, arms and planes.[3] By the time of the Paris Motor Show in October 1919 the prewar 16HP "Type V14" had returned to production, featuring a four-cylinder 2,940cc engine.[3] But the manufacturer's big news at the Paris show was the 24HP "Type A", powered by a V8 4,584cc unit.[3] This model had also been initiated by Managing Director Owen Clegg back in 1913, but production had been delayed by intervening events till 1919.[3] The "Type A" featured four forward speeds and, from 1920, four-wheel brakes.[4] Despite these innovative features, it did not sell well.[4]

The French franc had suffered a sustained crisis of its own during the war years, and in May 1920 the "Type V" was listed at 35,000 francs in bare chassis form: a torpedo bodied car was priced at 40,000 francs.[3] Even the "Type V", with its 3,150 mm (124 in) wheelbase, was substantial car, but for customers wanting more, a "Type A" appeared on the same list at 39,500 francs in bare chassis form, and 44,500 francs for a torpedo bodied car.[3]

The prewar 16HP also reappeared after the war and was the manufacturer's top-selling car in Britain.[4]

Following the inclusion of Clément-Talbot in the S.T.D. group Suresnes products were branded Talbot-Darracq but the word Darracq was dropped in 1922. Cars made by Automobiles Talbot imported from France to England were renamed Darracq to avoid confusion with the English Clément-Talbot products.[5]

1920 Talbot Darracq Type A 4.6 litre V8

Talbot automobiles

1927 DUS torpédo

c. 1930 M67 berline

1931 M75 cabriolet

1934 L67 berline

In early 1934 S.T.D. Motors granted the managing director of Automobiles Talbot SA an option later extended twelve months to 10 June 1935 to acquire all S.T.D.'s interest in the French business in consideration of the release of S.T.D. from its guarantee of the French company. The value of the guarantee was put at about £98,500.[6] After "long and intricate negotiations" with the French company's bankers the managing director, Antonio Lago, duly exercised his option in 1936[7] and went on to produce luxury cars badged Talbot and racing cars badged Talbot-Lago until long after the second World War.

He brought out a full range of new Talbots and simultaneously embarked on what turned out to be a very successful racing programme. By the time of the German Occupation the Talbot factory was fully tooled up to make Pratt & Whitney aero engines. Headed by an Italian national, his British citizenship ignored, Lago's business did not suffer the disturbances of other motor manufacturers.[8]

"To avoid confusion cars exported to certain countries by Automobiles Talbot S.A. are now known as Lago."

The postwar range contained two and four-door saloons a drophead coupé and a fixed head coupé. As usual bare chassis were available.

1938 Talbot T150C open two-seater by Figoni & Falaschi

Talbot

1947 Talbot T26 Record cabriolet

• Brochure issued c1938 by Société Anonyme Automobiles Talbot to Great Britain under the name of Darracq. Covers their 2½, 3, and 4-litre chassis and their Lago Special
• The Darracq site of the British Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq register