Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport History

First displayed in October 1947, the T26 Grand Sport was built on a shortened version of the Grand Prix T26C chassis, powered by the same 4,483 cc straight-six tuned to 190–195 bhp via triple carburettors and an aluminium cylinder head with a hollowed camshaft. Top speed of around 200 km/h was claimed, dependent on the bespoke body fitted. Only 12 cars were delivered in the model's first full year (1948).

The Grand Sport's finest hour came at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans, when a T26C-GS driven by Louis Rosier (with assistance from his son Jean-Louis Rosier) won the race outright — one of the most significant results in the marque's history. The victory underscored how closely related Talbot-Lago's road and racing cars were.

Approximately 36 examples of the T26 Grand Sport were produced in total before the model was discontinued in 1954, making surviving cars extremely rare. Chassis numbers place the majority on the short 2,650 mm wheelbase, with three later cars on the longer 2,800 mm platform. Concours examples now regularly sell for more than $4 million.