Description
Talbot T15 Baby | 1938
Highlights:
– 2,696cc inline six-cylinder engine, petrol, Wilson pre-selector gearbox
– Complete restoration carried out in 2004, documented by photographs
– Further comprehensive mechanical overhaul completed in 2024/2025 during Austrian type approval
– Two-tone pale yellow and deep red coachwork with chrome-plated radiator grille and freestanding Marchal headlamps
– Rare four-seat coach body with red-trimmed interior and full-width bench seat
The seller offers for sale this 1938 Talbot T15 Baby, powered by a 2,696cc inline six-cylinder engine, paired with a Wilson pre-selector gearbox. Originally delivered in black, this example now wears a two-tone finish in pale yellow and deep red, applied during a complete restoration in 2004. The colour scheme sets off the car’s sweeping wings, tall chrome-plated radiator grille and long bonnet, while freestanding Marchal headlamps, auxiliary fog lamps, chrome-plated bumpers, whitewall tyres and an externally mounted rear spare wheel complete its distinctly French appearance.
The enclosed coach body seats four and is entered through a pair of rear-hinged doors. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in a rich shade of red and features a generously proportioned full-width bench seat, a traditional wood-effect dashboard and a slender steering wheel, giving the cabin a genuinely period character.
Talbot, formally Automobiles Talbot S.A. of Suresnes near Paris, was one of France’s most respected marques in the years before the Second World War, known for pairing solid mechanical engineering with elegant coachwork. The T15 model, informally known as the “Baby” within the range, combined a lively six-cylinder engine and a generous wheelbase with the refined styling for which the marque was known, and cars of this type were valued as capable long-distance touring machines rather than mere town carriages.
Beneath the long bonnet sits a 2,696cc inline six-cylinder engine in Talbot’s 15 CV specification, producing around 55 kW (75 hp) at 3,800 rpm and driving the rear wheels through a Wilson pre-selector gearbox, a hallmark of quality touring cars of the period. A documented top speed of 135 km/h made the T15 Baby a genuine long-distance tourer in period. The chassis follows the traditional construction of its era, with a separate ladder frame, live axles, leaf springs and mechanically operated drum brakes on all four wheels. A 2,950 mm wheelbase gives the car balanced proportions and a spacious cabin, while an overall length of 4,900 mm lends it a commanding presence without losing the well-proportioned elegance of its design.
Beyond the 2004 restoration, the car received a further comprehensive round of mechanical work in 2024/2025 as part of its Austrian type approval process. This included a new radiator with an electric cooling fan, new brake linings, new spark plugs, an electric fuel pump, a new alternator and a carburettor fitted to meet Austrian emissions requirements. The Wilson pre-selector gearbox was serviced and resealed, all oils and lubricants were renewed, sections of the wiring were refurbished, and direction indicators were professionally fitted. The car retains its original French registration documents and is currently registered in Austria, with its roadworthiness inspection valid until 2028.
With its six-cylinder engine, characteristic Wilson pre-selector gearbox, rare four-seat coach body and striking two-tone livery, this Talbot T15 Baby offers a documented and well-maintained entry into French pre-war motoring, suited equally to historic rallies and touring events, selected concours appearances, or as a centrepiece within a collection of French classics.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.
Condition of the interior
4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.
Technical condition
4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.
Overall condition
4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
