Sunbeam S.T.D. Register Talbot Rally (Mar.26th)

The Sunbeam S.T.D. Register held a rally for its Talbot members at the “Toby Jug” on the Kingston By-Pass on the wet evening of March 26th. Mr. Arthur Fox, patron of the Talbot racing team prior to 1933, very kindly turned up with his Sales Manager. Mr. Mann, to meet the owners of the sixteen London Talbots which assembled in the car park. He then conducted them to the showrooms of Fox & Nicholl, where he had on display hundreds of excellent photographs of the old racing days, mainly of his Talbot 90 and 105 exploits, but including some reminders of the 4½-litre Lagondas and six-cylinder Singer which Fox & Nicholl raced with conspicuous success. Members also admired the very full showcase of pre-war trophies, mainly won with Talbot cars.

Georges Roesch, the Talbot designer of those days, was a popular visitor, and John Bland not only dispensed advice to Talbot owners with problems but brought his own display, in the form of a big case of medals, many of them solid gold, won by Clement-Talbot in pre-1914 competitions, offsetting this by opening a 1907 issue of The Motor illustrating this showcase.

After they had examined these displays members inspected Comdr. Harris’ 1930 Talbot 90 sports-tourer in the Fox & Nicholl works — he has owned this car since he was 19 and its excellent condition and silent-running engine were the more impressive for that. This is the car Georges Roesch drove round Goodwood during last year’s memorable V.S.C.C. 21st Birthday Party.

Amongst the Talbots at the “Toby Jug” were representatives of almost all the Roesch models, including Mockridge’s 1935 “Airline 105” which brought Mr. Roesch, Macworth’s 1933 105 with replica racing body, and Maughan’s 105 saloon which has the engine from Arthur Fox’s Brooklands single-seater and the same high gear ratios, its four-door saloon body with trunk having been designed by Mr. Fox and adopted by Talbot as a standard model. Members came from as far afield as Seaford to hear Mr. Fox recall the competition hey-day of the London-built Talbots, including his entry in the Mille Miglia, and there will be a “repeat performance” of this very enjoyable evening in June, when Fox & Nicholl are generously providing the hospitality. Hon. Registrar: Mrs. W. Boddy, Carmel, Wood Lane, Fleet. Hampshire.