1911 Talbot Type 4M 'Roi-de-Belges' Tourer

Introduced for 1911, the revised Talbot 15hp boasted a larger four-cylinder side-valve engine than its predecessor (3,563cc vs. 2,978cc) plus a 9'8" wheelbase and 4'7" track. Interestingly David Culshaw and Peter Horrobin's 'The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895-1975' also lists the Talbot 20/30 of 1914-1915 as having a 3,563cc four-cylinder engine of 90mm bore x 140mm stroke which suggests that the earlier model was unusually large for a 15hp. Indeed the Talbot 15hp of 1911-1913 had a half-litre displacement advantage over the contemporaneous Vauxhall A-Type 16/20. Little wonder then that this generation of Talbot 15hp achieved considerable success in hillclimbs and speed trials.

According to its accompanying copy Works Ledger entry, chassis 5118 was completed on 8th March 1911. Destined for Australia, it was fitted with larger 880x120 wheels to better cope with the preponderance of unmade roads and engine number 122. The remarks column carries a single name, 'Phizackerley',a former bicycle manufacturer who had embraced the horseless carriage with gusto. Isaac Phizackerley was one of Sydney's first car dealers - a 'hands on' personality who often demonstrated his wares in competition, he took on Minerva, Argyll, Standard and Talbot agencies during the Edwardian period and even had his own coachbuilding business, although whether or not that division was responsible for crafting the 15hp's imposing Talbot-inspired 'Roi des Belges' bodywork is unknown.

Roi-des-Belges ('King of the Belgians') or Tulip Phaeton was a style of coachbuilding used on luxury motor vehicles in the early 1900s and was basically a double-phaeton with exaggerated bulges suggestive of a tulip.

BF 7229 returned to the UK in 2013 in a 'very original and useable condition' and was purchased by our vendor with the intention of commencing a major restoration. The bodywork was removed to gain access to the mechanical components and, happily, very little was needed to be done on the chassis as it was found to be in very good condition. BF 7229 still has its original engine fitted in 1911, engine no. 122, which was also found to be in very good condition apart from the valves, in particular the exhausts, two of which needed building up with Stellite and re-facing. All valves and seats were then re-faced and ground in and all valve caps were treated to new copper sealing rings. The gearbox was in very good condition; the only requirement was new stronger selector indent springs. The rear axle was dismantled (new tooling was required to do this and they are included in the sale) and was checked over and again was found to be in very good condition.

The complete car was prepared and painted in dark green coach enamel, applied professionally by brush, as would have been done in 1911, and the coach-lining was also done by hand. The the car was completely re-upholstered in top quality Italian dark green leather, the seat backs being deep-buttoned, new carpets in the rear were made and are bound on their edges in matching leather. The hood frame was repaired and straightened where necessary and the hood was re-made with top quality rot-proof canvas. It's fitted with Rushmore acetylene headlamps, Powell and Hanmer acetylene carriage/side-lamps and a Lucas King of the Road tail-lamp.

Discreet flashing indicators were fitted front and back controlled by a hidden controller and a self-starter and alternator have been fitted. All these additions could be removed if required and the vehicle would then revert to original. A brass Edwardian speedometer has been fitted and calibrated, driven off the prop shaft and a rare compressed air horn is fitted which runs off number four-cylinder exhaust valve.

On offer from a prominent UK-Collection, this handsome Edwardian would be perfect for VSCC events or anywhere where you would like to make an impression.