Not the Farina you are thinking – Yes, this magnificent 1951 Stabilimenti Farina T26 GS Talbot Lago may look like a Ferrari that Pinin Farina might have crafted, but it isn’t. There is a relation, however, between the two Farina’s. Stabilimenti Farina was founded in 1919, by Giovanni Farina. His younger brother, Battista, worked beside him. Eventually Battista left and started his own design firm; Pinin Farina. To say that there was design brilliance in the Farina DNA is like saying Bill Clinton had a way with words. These two brothers possessed mastery with metal – of all types and what they created brought tears to the eyes of mere mortals. How, one has to wonder, could a man shape metal into such lustful and pleasing shapes. As a car lover, nah, change that – a car nut, how am I so polarized by the shape of a fender – or marvel at the look of a cabriolet – with the top up, not down. These are the mysteries of our hobby. Yet certain car designs are universally appealing. The year of which would be irrelevant, the make immaterial. It’s all in the design; those glorious designs. Such is the allure of our featured car. She is the one-off Stabilimenti Farina Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport, circa 1951. If this car doesn’t stir your blood, then you are technically and unequivocally – uh, dead. Call you insurance agent. Let the kids know too. The color of the interior and the top are such a pleasant contrast and one that you seldom see on a cabriolet. The nose is sufficiently long and the grille decisively unique. It’s a tad oversized, but it’s boldness impresses. I might remind you of other notable 1950’s Italian sports cars, but she is all French. As a one-off, naturally only one person can own it. That person, today, is Peter Mullin, the famous and esteemed California French car collector. The picture below was taken on his 70 mile Pebble Beach Tour D’Elegance, which in itself, is a slice of automotive Nirvana. When I took the tour in my 1947 Delahaye, I might as well have been in a Chevrolet. In front of me, Barry Meguiar, of Meguiar Wax fame, blew a water hose in his Duesenberg, making a sharp left turn into a dirt enclave to shut her promptly down, lest he seize the engine. See what I mean? Anyway, the Farina Talbot Lago would, alas, be one of their last. Talbot Lago production was minimal in these later years and the factory lines ultimately stopped in 1956. I’d love any Talbot Lago variant in my driveway, wouldn’t you? Enjoy Paul
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:00:01 +0000
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