1936 Talbot-Lago T120 Baby Sport in Carmel, California

Chassis No. 85598

Founded at the dawn of the 20th century, Talbot entered its most celebrated era following Anthony Lago's acquisition of the marque in 1934, transforming the company into one of France's foremost manufacturers of sporting and luxury automobiles.

The Type 150 was the first model introduced under Lago's stewardship, appearing in June 1934 as a series of three pre-production examples before the finalized range was unveiled at the Paris Salon that October. In both Sport and Competition guise, the model quickly established an enviable competition record, including victory in the RAC Tourist Trophy and a remarkable one-two-three finish at the 1937 Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France.

Soon thereafter, the T120 Baby Sport joined the lineup and proved an immediate commercial success. Conceived around the same engineering philosophy as the larger T150, it was powered by a 3.0-liter monobloc overhead-valve inline-six paired with a four-speed Wilson pre-selector gearbox, producing 90 horsepower and capable of nearly 150 km/h (93 mph). The model also featured a modern 2.95-meter short-wheelbase chassis noted for its rigidity and balanced handling. This successful powertrain became a cornerstone of Talbot production throughout the late 1930s, appearing in numerous variants and remaining in manufacture until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Originally available with either Coach or Cabriolet coachwork, Talbot-Lago T120 Baby Sport chassis number 85598 was completed as a Coach in 1936. Still in France, the car entered a new chapter in 1997 when it was modified by Claude Schmitt, a noted Talbot-Lago enthusiast, longtime member of the Club Talbot France, and its dedicated archivist for many years, widely regarded as a custodian of the marque's history through his stewardship of the club's extensive collection of factory records and archives. The car was carefully transformed into a Tourer in the style of the three pre-production Type 150 examples first presented in June 1934, featuring a laminated-wood framework.

The car subsequently passed into Belgian ownership before being imported to the United States last year. Equally suited to concours display and touring rallies, this T120 Baby Sport remains a superb ambassador of the golden age of French motoring and a distinguished addition to any collection.