1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet by Franay
- Engine
- 4.5L twin-cam inline engine (T26 unit)
- Colour
- Black (repainted from original white)
Chassis 110121 is a one-off Franay-bodied cabriolet on the Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport short-wheelbase platform, one of only 26 surviving examples from a production run of 29. Delivered in white with a bespoke Hermès interior, it debuted at the 1949 Paris Salon — where Marlene Dietrich was famously photographed alighting from it — and won top prizes at multiple French concours. After decades in American ownership the car was acquired in 1992 by Austrian restorer Egon Zweimüller, who completed a decade-long concours-grade restoration in 2010.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,120,000 (≈ $1.23M)
- 1953 →Private saleButcher from Versaillespartial documentation
Purchased the car from the Franay stand at the 1953 Paris Salon; the car later passed to a Talbot garage operator named M. Barone before its sale in 1960.
- → 1960Acquisition unknownM. Baronepartial documentation
Operated a Talbot garage and held the car until selling it in spring 1960.
- 1960 →Private saleJim Bandypartial documentation
American military officer based in France who purchased the car for $800 in spring 1960; transported it to Baltimore, Maryland in 1963 before eventually selling it.
- 1992 →Private saleEgon Zweimüllerpartial documentation
Highly regarded Austrian restorer who acquired the car in a partially dismantled state and undertook a decade-long mechanical and cosmetic restoration completed in 2010, including faithful recreation of the original Hermès interior and luggage.
- Date unknownPrivate saleUnknown hard candy manufacturerpartial documentation
First private owner, sold the car by Franay after two years of show appearances. Name not recorded; returned the vehicle to Franay approximately one year after purchase for grille modifications.
- Date unknownPrivate saleTom Owenspartial documentation
Resident of Grafton, West Virginia; also owned Grand Sport Saoutchik coupe chassis 110101. Swapped the engines between the two cars during his ownership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDavid Uihleinpartial documentation
Noted Milwaukee-based collector who retained the car for a number of years before it was offered for sale in 1992.
Competition
- 1949-10-011949 Paris Salon1st Grand Prix
Car debuted in white with original grille treatment; Marlene Dietrich was photographed exiting the vehicle at the event.
- 1950-06-011950 Concours d'Enghien1st Grand Prix d'Honneur
- 19511951 Brussels Auto Show
Displayed on the Talbot manufacturer stand following a repaint to black and fitment of a revised grille.
- 1951Concours de la Grande Cascade, Bois de Boulogne
Summer 1951 concours appearance in Paris.
- 1952-06-011952 Concours d'Enghien
Shown after the Ferrari-inspired grille update; accompanied by a Dior model wearing a New Look creation.
- 19531953 Paris Salon
Final period public appearance, displayed on the Franay coachbuilder stand; the car was sold to a Versailles butcher from this event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1950BodyworkFranay
Car was returned to Franay during winter 1950, repainted from white to black, and fitted with a redesigned, more restrained grille.
- 2010RestorationEgon Zweimüller
Comprehensive decade-long mechanical and cosmetic restoration completed to concours standard, including expert refurbishment of the original Hermès leather interior and fitted luggage.
Work commenced some years after the 1992 acquisition; car had been partially dismantled at time of purchase.
- —ModificationFranay
Grille was updated to a style similar to that of the Pininfarina-bodied Ferrari 212 Inter, as seen at the 1951 Paris Salon.
Work completed prior to the June 1952 Concours d'Enghien appearance.
- —Modification
Engine swap between chassis 110121 and Grand Sport chassis 110101: the original engine from this car was transferred to 110101 and the engine from 110101 installed in its place.
Carried out by owner Tom Owens of Grafton, West Virginia; chassis 110101 subsequently passed to the Mullin Automotive Museum.
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