Talbot-Darracq V20 Tourer

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"An immense complexity of nomenclature surrounds these two makes", wrote Georgano of Talbot-Darracq, and he’s not wrong!

Clement Talbot was founded in 1903 under the patronage of Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury, to import the popular French Clement car into Britain. From 1905 Talbots were also produced in London, the marque gaining huge prestige when Percy Lambert became the first man to cover 100 miles in one hour at the wheel of a 25hp Talbot 100 at Brooklands in 1913.

In 1919 Talbot was taken over by A Darracq & Co of Suresnes, Paris, which a year later itself took over Sunbeam to form STD Motors. It was during the period of this new organisation, when it was blessed with the celebrated engineers Coatalen and Roesch, that our car was produced, though it should be noted that it had been designed back in 1912, when pre-war Talbot fame was approaching its zenith. Essentially it is an Edwardian car and drives accordingly.

This wonderful French-built Talbot-Darracq V20 16hp Tourer was first UK registered in December 1921 when proper enthusiasts rather than corporate bean counters still ruled the roost at STD. Affectionately known as Ellie, this rare and much-loved car has, over the past five years, been restored both mechanically and bodily by marque expert and vintage racing enthusiast, Jim Catnach of JC Engineering in Spalding.

Just starting her is an entertainment in itself: lift the oil filler cap and if the filler leaks oil then she’s full; check the water level; turn the autovac tap to vertical; tickle the carb; check the timing on the steering wheel boss; check she’s in neutral; switch on the magneto; set the choke and only then press the electric starter. Chug, chug, chug, vroom! She bursts into life and a huge grin erupts across your face as you head triumphantly down the drive.

It’s a sunny day, so choose a local lane and within seconds you are back in the Twenties, rolling along to the music of a powerful, three-litre sidevalve engine, reminiscing about great uncle Louis who was a General in the French Army and used just such a car to dish out cognac and courage to his brave men at the front in the First World War.

Although the early history of Ellie is somewhat sparse (other than a dash plaque indicating that she was sold new through Strood Motor & Engineering Co of Rochester) she does come with a vast file of bills and correspondence documenting the last 50 years of her life, the trail picking up when she was sold at auction as part of the Sword Collection in 1962 at which point she was registered as NK 1589. Owned by a Mrs Munson of Runfold, Surrey in the 1970s, she was rebuilt by a subsequent owner in 1983 at a cost of £24,000 and was used regularly, including a jolly jaunt to Paris and back in 1986 when she was owned by a Patrick Reynolds of Hertfordshire.

The vendor acquired her in 2014 and has spent much money getting her into the fine state you see today, all detailed in many invoices on file. Suffice to say that nearly every aspect of the car has been attended to. This has included a thorough overhaul of all the running gear, an engine rebuild, a new canvas hood and a sympathetic body restoration to get her looking as good as she goes. Performing well when we were treated to an enjoyable test drive across the Cotswolds, cruising comfortably at 45mph, there can be few finer ways to savour the delights of early, unhurried motoring.

Believed to be one of only three such cars surviving worldwide, this rare, powerful and commodious vintage tourer has been expertly rejuvenated and will create a huge amount of interest wherever she goes.