1921 Talbot-Darracq V20 16hp Tourer

During the Great War, Darracq went over completely to munitions production: weapons, ammunition and even complete aeroplanes – in greatly expanded premises. The initial post-war Darracq was an updated version of Owen Clegg’s pre-war side-valve, four-cylinder, 3-litre 'Type V' to be joined by a new 24cv side-valve, 4½-litre V8 'Type A' in 1920. However, in 1919 Darracq took over English Talbot and the resulting company merged in 1920 with Sunbeam to form the Sunbeam Talbot Darracq group which quickly came under the strong influence of the personality and ideas of Sunbeam’s Breton director, Louis Coatalen. The head office and factory were at 32 Quai Général Gallieni in Suresnes, Paris. From 1920, Suresnes built cars were officially known as Talbot-Darracq up to late 1921.

This delightful 1921 Talbot-Darracq V20 16hp Tourer is indeed one of those Suresnes-built cars and has a fairly comprehensive history after September 1962 when it was sold as part of the JC Sword Collection. The car's history file is packed full of interesting paperwork including a report on the sale of the Sword Collection, years of correspondence, a copy of an original French advert for the model, a sales advert for this particular car by Brooklands Byfleet from the Sixties, a Sunbeam, Talbot, Darracq Register Car History from 1983, a Lubrication Chart, starting instructions, handwritten spec, copy of an auction entry, V5Cs, a Valuation Certificate from 2014 (£35,000) and acres of restoration / maintenance invoices suggesting that in excess of £50,000 has been spent over the years.

According to the Register Report, the bodywork is believed to be original although they say the paint colours are not. Currently finished in Deep Primrose over Nut Brown, the paintwork appears very good and has obviously been applied in the last few years. According to our vendor; "The car is a pleasure to drive with an easily mastered, 4-speed gearbox with changes easy to effect both up and down. The car starts readily and runs beautifully with a 45mph cruising speed quite similar to a 20hp Rolls-Royce. An original Autovac feeds fuel to the Zenith Carburettor. To the dash is a C.A.V. switch plate with ammeter and dynamo/lights control switches. The car has a recent high-quality black mohair hood fitted, easily erected or lowered by one person, Dunlop Cord beaded-edge tyres are fitted to the four corners mounted on re-spoked wooden artillery wheels and a new clutch has been fitted. Only a handful of these rare Talbots survive so you are unlikely to see another on the road."

Mechanically sound with good paintwork, a new hood, ready to go and sensibly guided considering recent valuations, this splendid vintage car is ready for many more adventures.