Chassis #100272 as found. Even in a state of decay, it has lost none of its intensity or beauty. (Artcurial Motorcars) Click to enlarge.
By Peter M. Larsen
TALBOT-LAGO T26 RECORD SAOUTCHIK #100272
Talbot-Lago T26 Record chassis #100272 is the second of the three momentous Saoutchik barnfinds in the collection of the late Jacques Baillon. The emergence of this extremely rare car is all the more remarkable, as it was believed lost.
It shares the chassis as well as its powerful engine and mechanicals with Talbot-Lago T26 #100239 which was featured last week and is one of 208 T26 Records manufactured in 1948. The vast majority of these cars were given one of a number of factory body styles manufactured in-house by Talbot. #100272 is one of the rare instances where a Record chassis was sent to a prominent Carrosserie to receive a one-off body. The price of the Record chassis alone was an astronomical 1,165,000 francs in 1948. Saoutchik charged 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 francs for a full-size convertible body. When delivered, the price of admission for #100272 would have approached 4,000,000 francs, more than enough to buy ten complete Citroën Traction Avants!
Talbot T26 Record chassis #100272 when new. (Collection Peter Larsen) Click to enlarge.