Page 10 - Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport 110102

provided the Phil Hill story, states that the car had probably been laid up in a dry climate for many years, but it has not been possible to locate a photo of the car as found. Straman believed that the 8,000 miles showing on the odometer when he purchased the car were genuine and that the original tires were still on the car. Straman began a restoration, stripping the car completely and partially renewing the interior.
On February 24, 1997, he sold 110102 in a half-finished state for $100,000 to Jerome Sauls, proprietor of the famous Ritz Garage in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Sauls commissioned a full frame-off restoration, where great effort was made to be correct in every detail. According to notes in 110102's file, something in excess of $250,000 was spent on the restoration. Sauls showed the car at the Pebble Beach concours in August 1999. In the December 2000 issue of Hemmings Motor News, Sauls advertised the car for sale with an asking price of $350,000.
In 2003, the car was auctioned by Christies at Pebble Beach, but failed with a high bid of $150,000. In the March 2004 issue of Hemmings, 110102 was advertised again, this time at $185,000 or best offer with a claim that $350,000 had been invested. The advertisement used the same photograph taken in Sauls' garage from the December 2000 advertisement, but listed a different telephone number, still in Pennsylvania. No name was given for the seller.
Collector George Howitt from Belgium bought 110102 in late 2004. In 2005, he showed the car at Rétromobile and Technoclassica. Howitt subsequently commissioned Rod Jolley Coachbuilding to change the original small headlights to a larger Jaguar-type and carry out additional restoration work on the body at a total cost of more than €35,000. At this time, the car was resprayed to a high standard. Howitt also had major mechanical work done on the engine by Talbot-Lago specialist Celta Garage in Belgium. The car was subsequently race-rally prepared by LMB Racing. According to Howitt's notes, an additional £40,000 was spent on fettling the mechanicals and bringing the car up to the fast and nimble driver it was when it left the factory in 1949.
In 2008, 110102 was shown again alongside 110151 by Tony Paalman at the Car Discoveries stand at Rétromobile with an asking price of €395,000, but did not sell. Subsequently, Paalman consigned the car with the Dutch classic car dealer Historic Motoring. The author bought the car from Tony Paalman in the early summer of 2009. 110102 was accepted and shown at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2010. There is a feature article on 110102 by Rob Scorah and photos by Lyndon McNeil in the February 2011 issue of the British magazine Classic Car.
TALBOT-LAGO GRAND SPORT
TOP: Around 2004 when 110102 was sold to George Howitt. Now wearing painted wires. (Tony Carroll) ABOVE: In 2005. Still in America with George Howitt. (Christophe Pund)
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