Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 90060
Engine No. 85178
In 1934-1935, Anthony Lago commissioned Joseph Figoni to design a
number of new and exciting coachwork styles that would be
constructed at the in-house coachbuilding facility at the Talbot
factory. One of these exciting designs placed on the T150 C chassis
was a conduite interieure, as it is called in French, which
translates as a close-coupled coupe-sedan. This Figoni conduite
interieure design has great harmony of line, graceful pontoon
fenders with chrome scallops, and an elegant greenhouse, enhanced
by a delicate and tasteful use of chrome trim. The free-standing
headlights and classic Talbot-Lago grille combine to give the
frontal aspect a purposeful and forceful look. The coachwork is
simply a splendid match for the powerful and race-bred
underpinnings.
The T150 C, or Lago Speciale engine featured a special
race-developed cylinder head with inclined overhead valves set in
hemispherical combustion chambers, operated by crossed pushrods
that were controlled by a single camshaft high in the block. This
improved breathing and volumetric efficiency, and power could be as
much as 170 hp at 5,200 rpm with triple Stromberg EX32 carburetors
when fitted with high-compression pistons. Engines were often
supplied to individual customer order, and while the standard
set-up put out approximately 150 hp, many clients opted for this
works team specification.
The Lago Speciale chassis was equally special. Riding on a 2950 mm
wheelbase, it featured independent transverse leaf front suspension
and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. The Wilson
pre-selector transmission, Houdaille shock absorbers, and powerful
four-wheel drum brakes completed the picture. The T150 C chassis
weighed only 950 kg, and while it was designed to accommodate
luxurious coachwork, it remained a sports car. With the exception
of a compressor-driven Bugatti Type 57 or the Talbot-Lago T150
C-SS, the T150 C was one of the quickest and best handling cars
money could buy. It was a genuine 100 mph car.
Having one of the highest known chassis numbers, T150 C chassis
90060 is likely to have been bodied by the factory in September
1939, on the cusp of the outbreak of World War II. The car's first
owner was a French doctor who did not have much time to get
accustomed to his new car before it was squirreled away, likely
remaining in storage until the end of hostilities. Chassis number
90060 was exported to America in the 1950s and secreted in Santa
Barbara in Southern California until it was acquired by the
well-known restorer Richard Straman in the mid-1970s.
Straman restored 90060 from the ground up, with a color change from
gray to French Blue, and the installation of a new interior in
crimson leather. The beautiful marquetry on the doors was restored,
as was the wood-grained dashboard with its full set of Jaeger
instruments. The knock-off wire wheels, which are a signature
feature of the T150 C and T150 C-SS chassis, were chromed to
spectacular effect. The car was awarded first in class at the
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1986 and was featured in Road &
Track magazine in 1987. The car has received honors at a CCCA Grand
Classic and has scored high at other concours.
It is rare to encounter a Talbot-Lago T150 C. With its racing
pedigree and tight-fitting Figoni-designed body, these models are
fascinating and desirable classic automobiles. Coupled with the
belle mechanique, or beautiful mechanicals, of its handsome
chassis, elegant road manners, and superior acceleration, 90060 is
a truly exciting motorcar that will be equally at home on tours and
the concours show field.
