1954 Talbot-Lago T26 GSL (Grand Sport Longue)
- Engine
- 4.5L OHV inline-six, triple inverted Solex carburetors, 210 bhp at 4,500 rpm
The Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Longue was a last-ditch effort by Anthony Lago to keep his marque alive, introduced at the 1953 Paris Salon on a shortened and lightened Lago Record chassis with a 210 bhp six-cylinder engine and elegant factory coachwork by Carlo Delaisse. Fewer than 21 examples were produced before the model was discontinued by early 1955, making any survivor exceptionally scarce. Chassis 110112, first registered in France in December 1954, passed through several French owners before undergoing a four-year comprehensive restoration in the early 1990s and subsequently residing in the United States for approximately two decades.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$385,000
- → 1991Acquisition unknownCharles LeMenestrelpartial documentation
The car surfaced in Lille in 1991 with mechanical work completed on the chassis and engine, but the bodywork stripped and in primer. LeMenestrel sold it as an unfinished restoration project.
- 1991 → 1995Private saleDr. Peter M. Larsenpartial documentation
A recognized Talbot-Lago specialist and automotive historian who undertook a comprehensive four-year restoration of the vehicle before passing it to its subsequent American owner.
- 1995 →Private saleAmerican collector (current owner)partial documentation
Based in the United States; during roughly two decades of ownership refreshed the paintwork and cabin trim, added bumpers, and had the engine detailed and valve work carried out.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAlain Spitzpartial documentation
During the 1970s, Spitz used the car as everyday transport. He later authored a rare French-language volume on Talbot-Lago history.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1991Mechanical
Chassis and engine had been mechanically restored prior to the car's sale in Lille; bodywork was stripped to primer and partially dismantled at that stage.
Work appears to have been carried out before or during Charles LeMenestrel's ownership, prior to the full restoration by Larsen.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive four-year restoration was undertaken covering the entire vehicle, completed approximately by 1995.
Commissioned and overseen by Dr. Peter M. Larsen following acquisition of the partially disassembled car in 1991.
- —Bodywork
Exterior paint and interior trim were refreshed and bumpers were added during the current owner's tenure in the United States.
Carried out after 1995 during approximately two decades of US ownership.
- —Engine rebuild
Engine received further detailing work and a valve service while in current ownership.
- —Service
Professional detailing and a mechanical service were carried out in preparation for the auction offering; further front suspension attention was noted as advisable.
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