1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet (Figoni coachwork)
- Engine
- 4.5L inline-six with dual camshafts, hemispherical head, dual Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, ~170 bhp standard tune
- Colour
- Metallic sky blue over deep midnight blue (two-tone)
This 1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record carries bespoke two-door cabriolet coachwork by Figoni, characterised by aviation-style front fenders, Art Deco trim, and rear fender skirts on the long-wheelbase chassis. Ordered new by a Mr. Ritter, it later passed through the hands of Hollywood director George Sidney and collector Lorin Tryon before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by RM Auto Restoration costing over $389,000 in labour alone. The car subsequently claimed class honours and the Elegance in Motion award at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Best of Show at the 2013 Mar-a-Lago and Boca Raton Concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,975,000
- 1947 →Factory deliveryMr. Ritterpartial documentation
Original purchaser; vehicle finished in pastel blue over red leather per Figoni archive records.
- → 2001Acquisition unknownFrank Prittpartial documentation
Software entrepreneur who consigned the car to RM Auctions' Arizona sale in January 2001.
- 2001 →AuctionConsignorfull documentation
Purchased at RM Auctions Arizona 2001; commissioned an extensive refurbishment by RM Auto Restoration exceeding $389,000 in labor, including engine reinstatement, coachwork refinish, and full interior re-trim.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGeorge Sidneypartial documentation
Noted Hollywood film director; acquired the car at some point after original delivery.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLorin Tryonpartial documentation
Former Pebble Beach Concours co-chairman and Blackhawk Automotive Museum president; substituted original drivetrain with a Cadillac V-8 and Hydramatic gearbox, and had coachwork repainted red. Original engine retained alongside the vehicle.
Competition
- 20032003 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceClass win and Elegance in Motion award
First major concours appearance following comprehensive restoration by RM Auto Restoration.
- 20042004 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest Postwar European Car
- 2013Cavallino ClassicClassic Sports Sunday Mar-a-Lago Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
Held alongside the 2013 Cavallino Classic; car had recently received additional work including a gearbox upgrade to a Cotal preselector.
- 20132013 Boca Raton Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
Maintenance & restoration
- 2012MechanicalRM Auto Restoration
Additional work by RM Auto Restoration including an upgrade of the gearbox to a Cotal preselector unit.
- —Modification
The original Talbot-Lago drivetrain was removed and replaced with a Cadillac V-8 engine paired with a Hydramatic automatic transmission; coachwork was refinished in red paint. Original engine retained and stored with the vehicle.
Work carried out during Lorin Tryon's ownership; no date given.
- —RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Full refurbishment by RM Auto Restoration covering every structural, mechanical, and cosmetic system; the original twin-carburettor T26 engine was rebuilt and refitted, coachwork was refinished in two-tone metallic sky blue over midnight blue, the cabriolet hood was rebuilt with new material, and the interior was reupholstered in cream leather with blue piping and dark blue carpeting. Labour costs exceeded $389,000.
Commissioned by the consignor following purchase at the January 2001 RM Auctions Arizona sale; supporting invoices are on file.
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