Most students of automotive history will be familiar with the name ‘Argyll’. This manufacturer built motor vehicles of good quality in Glasgow until 1928, having been founded during 1899. During a period immediately prior to the Great War they were in fact one of Britain’s five largest car manufacturers with an extensive factory close to Loch Lomond. What many will be unaware of, however, is the Argyll GT of which just a handful were built between 1978 and 1990. Argyll used what was referred to as the ‘total strength unit’ – a myriad of tube and box sections forming a chassis and roll-cage unit – whilst power units were either V8 Rover or Saab turbo. However, in the case of the vehicle on offer here, said to be the original prototype, Argyll fitted a Lancia unit and modified it extensively using their Argyll/Minnow fish turbo charging system.
Strikingly finished in red with blue trim, this fascinating motor car is reported to have covered just 4,057 miles having spent most of its life in storage. As would be expected with such a small amount of miles covered, it is reported to be in excellent mechanical order and is now offered for sale due to the owner’s lack of space.
Information sheets and correspondence from Argyll Cars are provided, together with an insurance valuation plus various photographs, etc. An extremely rare and stylish GT motor car which typifies its era, it is also offered for a sale with a V5 registration document and MOT certificate valid until 6th September 2007.
1933 TALBOT 65 SALOON
Clement-Talbot was founded during 1902 and despite the French-sounding name it was in fact an English company, the name being taken from two of its directors, the Earl of Shrewsbury & Talbot and the French car manufacturer, Adolph Clement. Within a few years, the company had established a sound reputation for high quality touring cars and immediately after the Great War was acquired by the French-based Darracq company which was under British ownership. This company was also to acquire Sunbeam during 1925. The company’s chief designer was Georges Roesch, a gifted engineer who had joined the organisation in 1916. His 14/45 model, introduced in 1926, met with immediate acclaim, being one of the finest touring cars of its size at that time. Powered by a 6-cylinder, OHV engine with an ingenious system of valve actuation using wedge-shaped rockers, the 14/45 boasted a massive cross-braced chassis frame and was available with a variety of attractive styles of coachwork.
The development of this model was the 65, which was introduced in 1932, and it is one such example offered here, an AX Series saloon with attractive D-back, 6-light coachwork by Darracq. In the care of its current owner for the past fourteen years, the car has undergone a ground-up restoration and is of attractive appearance in black over green. Reported as being in good mechanical order in all departments, the pre-selector gearbox has had the bearings replaced, as has the rear axle, and a new exhaust system was fitted approximately 200 miles ago. The rear axle has been uprated with a Talbot 75 CWP, making for more relaxed cruising – it is said to run at 55mph very happily. The green interior trim remains original and the car is offered for sale due to the vendor trimming down his stable and we are also advised that his wife is requiring the house to be extended!
A V5 registration document is included, as is a VE60 logbook attesting to the original West Lothian registration number, and an MOT certificate valid until May next year is also provided.
These two, along with about 70 others, will be on auction at the Brooklands Museum on Thursday June 7th. You can view what is for sale at:
http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk
or call:
+44 1252 877317 or +44 1252 743329
