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1933 Talbot 105

1933 Talbot 105

After a successful year with the Talbot 90, chief engineer Georges Roesch increased the displacement his bulletproof straight-six to better compete in the three liter class. Just before 1931, the first cars were made for the British firm Fox & Nicholls to contest endurance race and rally.

Being purpose built, the 105 was initially made for competition and many were fitted with dark green aluminum boat tail bodies, cycle wings, folding wind screens, 19 inch center lock wheels, a 35 gallon gas tank and a close-ratio four-speed transmission. Its chassis was an evolution of the 90’s ladder frame, one that fixed the engine rigidly and added an extra cross member for rigidity.

The real highlight of the car was its seemingly simple engine which used sophisticated engineering such as a nickel chrome and steel con-rods, a seven bearing crankshaft, chrome plated camshafts and a minimal pushrod valve train. Thanks to a high compression ratio, and lightweight internals, this engine initially produced 119 bhp and 132 bhp a year later.

Following third and fourth places at the 1930 LeMans, the 105 continued Talbot’s success by scoring third the following. 105s raced in the years following but lagged behind the Alfa Romeo 2900 and Mercedes-Benz SSK. Despite this, it remained competitive and scored a signature victory at the Coupe des Alpes in 1932.

During its racing era, the 105 helped contribute to a successful revival of the Talbot marque that would make it the most profitable wing of the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq empire. Over 330 of these large engine cars were sold to the public, and despite another successful campaign with the type 110, Talbot closed its doors in 1938.

Story by Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
engine Inline-6
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
valvetrain Pushrod OHV, Two Valves per Cylinder
fuel feed Zenith 48mm Downdraught Carburettor
displacement 2969 cc / 181.2 in³
bore 75 mm / 2.95 in
stroke 112 mm / 4.41 in
power 88.7 kw / 119 bhp @ 4800 rpm
specific output 40.08 bhp per litre
redline 5000
body / frame Aluminum over Ash Body on Steel Ladder-Type Frame
driven wheels RWD
wheel type Centre-Lock Wire Wheels
front tires 19 x 5.25
rear tires 19 x 5.25
front brakes Drums
f brake size x 406 mm / x 16 in
rear brakes Drums
r brake size x 406 mm / x 16 in
steering Worm & Nut
f suspension Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Luvax Hydraulic Dampers
r suspension Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Luvax Hydraulic Dampers
wheelbase 2896 mm / 114 in
transmission Four-Speed Manual
gear ratios :1