English
Italian
Talbot-Lago T150 SS | The Dawn of Racing Grand Tourers
In the world of vintage automobiles of the highest technical and aesthetic value, the Talbot-Lago T150C SS Roadster holds a spot on its own. If its name is not among those familiar to you, it is because it was produced in only a very small number of examples toward the end of the 1930s. It is not merely a masterpiece of automotive engineering of its era, but also a symbol of the transition between pure racing cars and grand tourers designed for road use.
The T150C SS is derived from a racing lineage: its original chassis and mechanical components were conceived to compete in late-1930s Grand Prix events, in compliance with new international regulations that favored sports cars capable of covering long distances with reliability and consistent performance. This heritage is clearly reflected in the technical choices adopted like the T150C base model: a robust boxed-section chassis, independent front suspension and the adoption of a four-speed Wilson preselector gearbox, a highly sophisticated solution for the time that allowed smoother and more precise gear changes compared to conventional manual transmissions.
The engine is an inline six-cylinder unit of approximately 4 liters, featuring hemispherical combustion chambers designed to maximize power output while maintaining smooth operation. In its factory road configuration, the engine produces around 140 horsepower thanks to triple Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, paired with the aforementioned Wilson preselector transmission. This combination of power, torque and weight-to-power ratio allowed the Roadster to achieve impressive speeds for its era, approximately 185 kph (115 mph) on open roads.
The short-wheelbase chassis (approx 2,650 mm) used for the SS version, as opposed to the long-wheelbase variant, gives the car greater agility and quicker responses during direction changes. Independent front suspension combined with a rigid rear axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs provides an effective balance between control and comfort, while remaining faithful to the project’s high performance vocation. The braking system, based on mechanically actuated drum brakes on all four wheels, though obsolete by modern standards, represented a robust and relatively reliable solution for sustained use.
As noted, the significance of the T150C SS Roadster is not limited to its innovative mechanical solutions. The lines of its body is among its most celebrated aspects, the result of collaboration with the renowned Figoni & Falaschi atelier. The Parisian coachbuilders, famous for their “teardrop” aesthetic approach, conceived exceptionally flowing lines that reduced aerodynamic drag and endowed the car with an unmistakably elegant appearance. Features such as the raked windshield, smooth flanks, integrated headlights and uninterrupted surfaces emphasize its sculptural automotive form, making the T150C SS one of the most refined expressions of Art Deco styling applied to the automobile.
WordsCarlo Brema / Photos RM Sotheby’s
Related tags to article
