1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport
- Engine
- High-torque engine, specific displacement and configuration not stated
Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport chassis 110059 is one of a small number of competition-built examples, its origins tracing to a 1939 single-seater once raced by Raymond Mays. Sold new to Guy Mairesse, it finished 2nd overall at the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours before passing to Parisian garagiste Jean Blanc, who raced it extensively through 1956 including the Mille Miglia and Buenos Aires 1000 km. A 1990s restoration returned it to its 1951 Le Mans specification, and it has since competed at Le Mans Classic and Spa Classic.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €708,125 (≈ $779K)
- 1951 → 1952Factory deliveryGuy Mairessepartial documentation
French trucking magnate who took delivery new and debuted the car at Le Mans in 1951, partnering with Pierre Meyrat.
- 1952 → 1957Private saleJean Blancpartial documentation
Parisian garage owner who raced the car extensively through 1952–1956, commissioning a barchetta-style body for the 1953 season and competing as far afield as Argentina.
- 1957 →Acquisition unknownPierre Bardinonpartial documentation
One of three noted collectors who held the car after its racing career ended; precise sequence and dates among the three are not specified.
- → 1984Acquisition unknownRené Mauriespartial documentation
Third in the group of noted collectors; the car passed to Robert Teyssier in 1984.
- 1984 → 2013Private saleRobert Teyssierpartial documentation
With historian Pierre Abeillon's guidance, oversaw a restoration returning the car to its 1951 Le Mans specification, work carried out during the 1990s.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Has campaigned the car in historic events including the Le Mans Classic and Spa Classic.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFred Chandonpartial documentation
Part of a trio of distinguished collectors who owned the car in the period after 1957; order relative to the other two is unstated.
Competition
- 19511951 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Guy Mairesse2nd overall
Co-driven with Pierre Meyrat; represented the car's competitive debut under Mairesse's ownership.
- 19521952 Mille MigliaDriver: Jean BlancDNF — electrical failure
Co-driven with mechanic Pierre Tabart; ponton-style wings fitted to satisfy regulations; car started in the fastest group alongside top factory entries.
- 1953-04-011953 Coupe de Vitesse, MontlhéryDriver: Jean Blanc
First outing in the newly fitted barchetta-style coachwork, styled after the factory team cars.
- 19541954 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Jean BlancNot classified — insufficient pace
Car was entered but lapped too slowly to earn an official classification.
- 19561956 Buenos Aires 1000 KilometresDriver: Jean BlancDNF
Blanc travelled to South America to contest this endurance event but retired before the finish.
- —Le Mans Classic
Attended under current ownership; specific edition and result not recorded in the prose.
- —Spa Classic
Attended under current ownership; specific edition and result not recorded in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953Bodywork
A barchetta-style body was fitted, matching the style of the Talbot-Lago works team cars, replacing the earlier coachwork.
Commissioned by Jean Blanc for the 1953 season; first shown at Montlhéry in April 1953.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration carried out during the 1990s returning the car to its 1951 Le Mans specification, during which period-specific chassis and running-gear details distinguishing it from sister cars were identified.
Undertaken by Robert Teyssier with the involvement of historian Pierre Abeillon.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.