1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet d'Usine

100064roadFrance

Engine: 4.5L inline-six OHV twin-cam hemispherical, two Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, 170 bhp

The Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet d'Usine on chassis 100064 is an early first-series example of one of the most powerful and elegant grand touring cars of the immediate post-war era, powered by a twin-cam 4.5-litre six-cylinder developing 170 bhp. Delivered to the Belgian market in late 1947, it later crossed to the United States, passed through notable American ownership, and received a comprehensive, originality-focused restoration of over 4,200 hours by Chris Charlton of Oxford, Maine, beginning in 2004.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$352,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1947 → 1948Factory delivery
Guerret of Brussels (Belgian agent)
partial documentation
Vehicle delivered to the Brussels-based Belgian distributor in late 1947 as an early production example, then passed to the first private buyer the following year.
1948 →Private sale
First private Belgian owner
partial documentation
Initial retail purchaser; car remained in Belgium until it was located and exported to the United States during the 1960s.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Joseph Cantore
partial documentation
Long-standing Classic Car Club of America member who kept the car in the US for many years; vehicle remained largely original and unrestored during this period.
Date unknownPrivate sale
William Ruger Jr.
partial documentation
Acquired the car in original, unrestored condition showing approximately 26,000 genuine miles; commissioned a thorough restoration beginning in 2004 by specialist Chris Charlton in Oxford, Maine, requiring over 4,200 hours of work.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Smith Collection
partial documentation
Held the car for several years following the restoration; vehicle showed minimal wear during this period of careful stewardship.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2004Restoration
Chris Charlton (Oxford, Maine)
Comprehensive, originality-focused restoration encompassing full disassembly of all mechanical components, engine and gearbox rebuilds, careful bodywork stripping and refinishing with structural timber repaired only where essential, period-correct interior re-trim, bespoke hand-made wiring harness in correct colours, specially reproduced rubber components, and recreation of the unique first-series windshield surround. More than 4,200 hours were invested in the project.
Commissioned by William Ruger Jr.; the guiding principle was authenticity over cosmetic excess, retaining as much original material as possible and avoiding over-chroming.

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.