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 |
