1931 Talbot AV105
- Engine
- 3.0L inline configuration, designated AV21
Chassis 31051, one of four Talbot AV105 works racers campaigned by Fox and Nicholl under the registration 'GO51', is among the most historically significant British pre-war sports racers. It debuted at the 1931 Brooklands Double Twelve before tackling Le Mans that year, then accumulated class victories at the RAC Tourist Trophy and Brooklands 500-Mile races. Uniquely, it retains its 1931-style chassis and Perrot shaft brakes. After decades in private hands, it received a replica Le Mans body and its original identity was restored, continuing in historic competition including six Mille Miglia Storicas and regular Le Mans Classic appearances.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €950,000 – €1,250,000
- 1931 → 1932Factory deliveryFox and Nicholl (works team, Arthur Fox)partial documentation
Operated as a works racing entry by the British team throughout the 1931 and 1932 seasons.
- 1932 →Private saleArthur Foxpartial documentation
Purchased the car directly from Talbot at season's end, had a close-coupled saloon body fitted, renumbered the chassis to 31080, and used it as personal transport with his own initials-based registration for roughly two decades.
- 1950 →Acquisition unknownCharles Mortimerpartial documentation
Brooklands racing driver who acquired the car during the 1950s before passing it on to the next collector.
- 2000 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired directly from the Blight family in the early 2000s; has used the car extensively in major historic events including multiple Mille Miglia Storica and Le Mans Classic entries.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAnthony Blightpartial documentation
Noted Talbot specialist who correctly restored the car's original chassis identity and registration, and had a partly new body made to replicate the Le Mans configuration; the car remained with his family for approximately fifty years.
- Date unknownInheritanceBlight familypartial documentation
Retained the car within the family collection for around half a century following Anthony Blight's ownership.
Competition
- 19311931 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Brian LewisRetired — chassis cracked above rear axle
Co-driven by Hindmarsh; the car led the other team entries until a loose fuel tank led to a pit stop revealing structural damage, forcing withdrawal.
- 1931RAC Tourist TrophyDriver: Brian Lewis4th overall, 1st in class
Contested after the Le Mans retirement, with the car fitted with a replacement chassis and new engine; run as a monoposto for this Formula Libre event.
- 1931Brooklands 500-Mile RaceDriver: Brian Lewis2nd overall, 1st in class
Car was rebodied as a single-seater in pursuit of outright victory in this Formula Libre contest.
- 1931-05-09Brooklands Double TwelveDriver: Brian Lewis2nd overall, 2nd in class
Co-driven by Johnny Hindmarsh; this outing is believed to have caused chassis stress that contributed to the subsequent Le Mans retirement.
- 19321932 Brooklands 500-Mile RaceDriver: Brian Lewis3rd overall, 1st in class
Co-driven by land speed record holder John Cobb; part of the car's final works-era season before Talbot withdrew from racing.
- 19321932 Duke of York Trophy3rd
A period trophy for this result accompanies the car as part of the sale.
- —Mille Miglia StoricaMille Miglia Storica
Entered on at least six separate occasions by the current owner during the historic revival era.
- —Le Mans ClassicLe Mans Classic
Regular participant at multiple editions of the historic biennial event at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1931Mechanical
Following the Le Mans retirement, the car was fitted with a replacement early-type narrow front spring chassis and a new engine designated AV21, which remains in the car today.
Work carried out after the cracked chassis was discovered at Le Mans 1931.
- 1931Bodywork
The car was re-bodied as a single-seat monoposto in preparation for Formula Libre competition.
- 1932Bodywork
A close-coupled saloon body was fitted when Arthur Fox purchased the car from Talbot at the end of the 1932 season.
The chassis was also renumbered to 31080 at this time to accommodate Fox's personal registration.
- —Restoration
During Anthony Blight's ownership, the car's original chassis number 31051 and registration GO51 were formally reinstated, and a partly new body replicating the original Le Mans configuration was fitted.
Blight was a recognised marque authority; the work was part of a broader effort to return the car to its authentic competition identity.
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