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The Company - Clement Talbot
Following the success of the early 1930's of Talbot 90's and 105's in international motoring racing and rallying, the 1934 works Alpine 'BGH' cars were sponsored by the new London distributor Pass & Joyce. Archie Pass and Charlie Joyce with their Talbot showrooms in Hanover Square, were also one of London's main Rolls Royce distributors, and as such had a special relationship with coachbuilder James Young.
As London's largest car dealer they followed in an established tradition with main dealers sponsoring the manufacturer's competition programme. In the 1930's as today, success in motor sport led to innovation, public awareness, and the individual desire to own a marque intertwined with competition motoring successes. For the 1934 season they sponsored the Talbot 'BGH' Alpine team cars.
The new 1935 range of Roesch Talbots were launched at the 1934 London Motor show held at Olympia in October of 1934, including Georges Roesch's final development of the immortalised 105, the new Talbot BA 110, designated such due to Roesch's calculation of theoretical top speed being 110 mph based on the new 3377 cc 120 BHP engine. In addition to the newly developed engine the new BA 110 had a new lower underslung chassis with softer suspension, together with a new level of luxury, equipment and performance only to be rivaled by Rolls Royce.
Overnight the new Talbot 110 eclipsed the rival Bentley, Lagonda and Alvis sporting models, the new Talbot BA 110 was however unfortunately short lived due to the acquisition in January 1935 of the Talbot Motor Company by the Rootes Group. According to Talbot historian Anthony Blight, the BA 110 was the last true Roesch Talbot, with only 41 produced, mainly saloons, between October 1934 and October 1935. From October 1935 and continuing through 1936/7, the replacement models manufactured under Rootes ownership gradually took on Rootes designs and components, with Roesch's designs being replaced with more mundane and less sporting models.
The Car - Talbot BA 110 BYP 72 Chassis Number 34611
Following the October 1934 launch of the BA 110, ten chassis’s were ordered by Pass & Joyce, who in turn had them bodied them in various styles. Chassis 34611 supplied to Pass & Joyce is believed the only BA 110 to be bodied by the well established coachbuilder James Young with unique Drop Head Coupe coachwork with disappearing windows and a concealed hood.
Known to the Talbot Owners Club, and Talbot expert Anthony Blight, it was noted in the 1980's that BYP 72 was an extremely original and complete car prior to restoration. Restoration work began in the 1970's and was continued through into the 1980's by vintage motoring enthusiast and WW2 flying ace Wing Commander Richard Seys DFC. There is considerable correspondence in the history file between Anthony Blight, Arthur Archer and others on the progress of the restoration with Wing Commander Seys
At the time of restoration, BYP 72 had all of the mechanicals attended to by noted Talbot specialist Arthur Archer, the coachwork and wings were restored, as was the interior, hood, and electrics. In 1990, BYP 72 was valued by Talbot specialist Ian Poulson at £75,0000, a sum in ownership terms equivalent to in excess of £200,000 today. Supported by the service records and MOT's it is estimated that BYP 72 has only covered some 15000 miles since being restored in the 1980's.
With a top speed approaching a 100 miles an hour, fitted with a preselect gearbox, traffic clutch, precise steering and extremely powerful brakes, BYP 72 is very well equipped to take parts in European Rallies and Speed events, as in previous years it has very successfully participated in rallies in Holland, Belgium, France and Germany
Car & Coachwork
First registered on the 1st July 1935, BYP 72 is an extremely original car, carrying it's original James Young coachwork and fittings as originally commissioned by Pass & Joyce. Finished today in blue over cream with a blue hood and blue leather interior, with matching chassis, engine number, and registration, BYP 72 is very much today the same luxury fast sports touring car as designed and launched at the 1934 London Motor show. Complete with comprehensive history file and post war buff log. Taxed and MOT'd until November 2010.
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