1933 Talbot 75/105 Alpine Team Car Replica
Registration no. AKN 599
Chassis no. 34156
Engine no. 95AY149

Originally a Talbot 75 saloon, this car was purchased in October 1978 from Peter Warne, who had already begun to developing it into a replica of the Brooklands Team Talbots with the 105 engine. Most of the car was complete in Talbot Green, but it lacked a windscreen. Fortunately, Anthony Blight came to the rescue by lending one of his BGH cars' windscreen/aero screens to copy. The vendor also acquired one of a small batch of Talbot 105 cylinder heads that had recently been cast for the Team cars, and began a long association with Arthur Archer, who continued to assist in the project our until he retired. In 1994 a family expedition to France was interrupted by gearbox trouble, and in 1996 the 'box was rebuilt by Arthur together with the rear axle.

Over the next couple of decades 'AKN 599' was extensively campaigned abroad, taking part in events including the RAC Euroclassic Rally to France (1996 and 1998); New Zealand Tour (2002); VSCC Pyrenees Rally (2003); VSCC Angoulême Rally (2005); and Le Mans Classic (2010, four-up). Refurbishment carried out during this period includes Bill Roberts' work on the chassis, springs, paintwork, radiator and exhaust (1997); new 4.363:1 CWP from Guest Gear Services (2006); another rear axle rebuild by Archer's (2008); Rotax Dynamotor armature rebuild; and an engine and gearbox rebuild by Archer's (2011). In the course of the engine/gearbox rebuilds the AW75 'box was replaced with a closer-ratio 'BG3½'gearbox from Archer's store, and a new Piper camshaft to later Talbot 105 specification obtained. In addition, a Cecil Schumacher oil filter unit was installed; the front carpet and heel pad replaced; and SU electric fuel pump fitted before the engine was reinstalled in March/April 2013. Also in 2013, flashing indicators were installed; the brakes relined; and the wing supports and crossbar remade. AKN 599 has a current MoT certificate.

Accompanying documentation consist of a large lever-arch file of history containing photographs of dated work/events by Bill Roberts; an old-style buff logbook and old-style V5; some old MoTs; copies of Conquest of the Alps by Talbot and The Talbot in the Alps by Wisdom; and all bills/correspondence between the vendor and Archer's from 1996 onwards.

The car is also accompanied by its 1933 Handbook, a chrome Talbot badge, sundry minor spares and a copy of Anthony Blight's 'Georges Roesch and the Invincible Talbot'.

Now as then, a Talbot 105 Alpine Team Car replica is an excellent pre-war-era rally car, ideally suited to popular events such as the Flying Scotsman, Shamrock, and 1000 Mile Trial rallies.