Only two T120 (3 litre) replicas of Talbot-Lago’s formidable T150 Tourist Trophy Sports (4 litre) were ever made. Tom Hardman Limited has had the privilege of brokering the sales of both the replicas in 2016. Registration #TL8749 is the original of these and I’m delighted to reoffer it for sale on their behalf. Purchasing from us in November 2016, the vendor, so taken by the history file and beautiful coachwork, I don’t think he even test-drove her.

During the Vendors custodianship he has enjoyed a period of his own competition history, developing the car into a successful VSCC championship winner. Helped along the way by Gareth Burnett’s team at Pace Products.

During the down season of 2020 Gareth’s team were instructed to refresh and develop the engine performance and cooling system, and rolling road figures show a healthy 179bhp from the 3 litre naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. Along with the ODM (VSCC) championship win, TL8749 could be found on the endurance rally scene, as well as on road tours: she really is a capable and formidable machine. TL8749 is now reluctantly offered for sale following the purchase of a 4 litre T23 TT Sports from the Black stable.

In 1939 Talbot-Lago was one of Europe’s leading luxury automobile brands. Like WO Bentley they believed in; ‘win Sunday sell Monday’, and to that end Antonio Lago fielded three Talbot Lago T26 for the 1939 season. Along with Two French drivers: René le Bègue and Philippe Étancelin (finishing 3rd & 4th respectfully Auto Unions were 1st,2nd & 6th), the third T26 seat was given to Raymond Mays (this very T26 GX is currently offered by Fiskens.com) Raymond Mays was best known for his Borne biased racing car outfit ERA & BRM.

At his Reims-Gueux outing, Mays retired after only 10 laps. His payment from Antonio Lago was a Talbot-Lago T120 Coupe, which on the return to England was registered in Lincolnshire as TL8749.

Raymond kept TL8749 throughout the war presumably as everyday transport, eventually selling in 1950 to John Bland, eventually arriving in the hands of Bill Barrot. Bill had been enraptured by a 4 litre T150 Tourist Trophy Sports and so building himself a replica utilizing Raymond Mays coupe, was a dream come true, featuring the magnesium wheels Raymond had fitted during his time. TL8749 arrived in the hands of John Guyatt, who describes the car as one of the very best Talbot-Lago’s he has ever driven.

Here now offered for sale, TL8749 presents an opportunity to own and enjoy an exceptional car.