1956 Talbot-Lago 2500 Sport Coupé
- Engine
- 2.5L DOHC inline-four, dual Zenith carburetors, 120 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- Colour
- Light metallic blue ('Metaliose Bleu Competition')
The 1956 Talbot-Lago 2500 Sport Coupé (chassis 140029) is one of only approximately 45–54 examples of the marque's final production model, a technically accomplished four-cylinder grand tourer representing the culmination of two decades of Talbot-Lago road and racing expertise. Delivered new in February 1956 finished in Metallic Blue Competition, the car passed through French and American ownership before a thorough nut-and-bolt restoration completed in 2023 returned it to its original specification, culminating in a debut appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance that same year.
Ownership
- 2024-01-25Auction saleEstimate US$375,000 – US$425,000
- 1956-02-22 → 1960Factory deliveryJose Simofull documentation
Barcelona-born owner residing near Paris at time of delivery; took possession in the original blue metallic finish with wire wheels and light vinyl interior.
- 1960 → 1960Private saleRoger Loyer garagepartial documentation
Respected Levallois-based dealer in sports and competition cars; acted as intermediary consignee before onward sale.
- 1960 → 1975Private salePierre Damironpartial documentation
Retained the car for approximately fifteen years before it left European ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHenry Adamsonpartial documentation
Lake Forest, Illinois collector of European automobiles; owned the car for roughly 34 years and disassembled it in preparation for a restoration that was never started.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEdsel Pfabepartial documentation
Owner based in Painesville, Ohio and Fort Pierce, Florida; held the car for approximately six years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownE. G. Groverpartial documentation
Possibly a brief American owner in the chain after the car left Europe; tenure and location uncertain.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMarvin Newmanpartial documentation
Based in Canal Winchester, Ohio; held the car only briefly before passing it on.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorfull documentation
Acquired the car approximately nine years before the sale and carried out a thorough five-year restoration, returning it to original specification before its Pebble Beach debut in 2023.
Competition
- 20232023 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceNo award
Entered in the European Sports Cars class following completion of restoration; also completed the associated road tour prior to the concours display.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2023Restoration
A thorough, detail-oriented restoration carried out over approximately five years was completed ahead of the 2023 Pebble Beach showing. Work encompassed research and matching of the original exterior metallic blue finish, refurbishment of the interior in period-correct cream fabric, and extensive mechanical rebuilding of the engine including new pistons, valves, and ancillary components as required.
Restoration also included archival research via the Talbot Club and specialist historians to verify original specification details.
- —Maintenance
Henry Adamson began preparatory work toward a restoration by fully disassembling the vehicle, but did not proceed to any rebuilding phase during his long ownership.
Disassembly occurred at some point during Adamson's approximately 34-year tenure; precise date unknown.
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.