Talbot-Lago T26C explained

Talbot-Lago T26C[1] [2]
Production:1948-1950
Engine Name: OHV I6
(260 bhp)
Chassis:Steel box-section frame, aluminium body
Front Suspension:wishbones, transverse leaf spring, friction shock absorbers
Rear Suspension:live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction shock absorbers
Track: (front)
(rear)
Wc Results Only:Y
Races:13
Wins:0
Cons Champ:0 (Note that the Constructors' Championship was first awarded in 1958)
Drivers Champ:0
Poles:0
Fastest Laps:0

The Talbot-Lago T26C was a single-seater racing car designed and developed by French manufacturer Talbot-Lago. It featured a box section chassis, an unsupercharged 4483abbr=onNaNabbr=on capacity 93x straight-six engine and a four speed Wilson preselector gearbox.[3] The chassis and gearbox were derived from the company's 1930s racing cars and were similar to those used on their post-war road cars.[3] For the 1950 Formula One season a version with a more powerful engine was introduced, with revised carburation and twin spark plugs. These variants are known as T26C-DA (for Double Allume, i.e. twin plug).[3]

Racing history

The T26C made its racing debut in the 1948 Monaco Grand Prix, finishing second in the hands of Louis Chiron.[3] Grand Prix victories were achieved the following year with Louis Rosier winning the 1949 Belgian Grand Prix[4] and Louis Chiron winning the 1949 French Grand Prix.[5]

A modified version, the T26C-GS (for Grand Sport), fitted with two-seater bodywork, cycle wings and lights, won the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Louis Rosier and Jean-Louis Rosier.[3]

Doug Whiteford won the 1952 and 1953 Australian Grand Prix driving a Talbot-Lago T26C.

Technical data

----- bgcolor="#DDDDDD" ! width="30%"Technical data ! width="70%"T26C (F1) ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Engine:  ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Displacement

 

4482 cm³ ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Bore x stroke:  93 x 110 mm ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Max power at rpm:  260 hp at 5 000 rpm ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Valve control:  2 camshafts in the engine block, 2 push rod actuated valves per cylinder ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Compression

 

11.0:1 ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Carburetor

 

3 Zenith 50 HN ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Gearbox

 

4-speed Wilson preselector box ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" suspension front:  Double cross links, transverse leaf springs ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" suspension rear:  Rigid rear axle, longitudinal leaf springs ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Brakes:  Hydraulic drum brakes ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Chassis & body:  Steel box beam frame with aluminum body ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" wheelbase

 

250 cm ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Dry weight

 

950 kg ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE" Top speed:  270 km/h ----- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"

Complete Formula One World Championship results

Works team entries

(key)

YearChassisEngineDriver1234567
1950T26C-DATalbot L6GBRMON500SUIBELFRAITA
Yves Giraud-Cabantous4DNARetRet8
Eugene MartinRetRet
Louis Rosier336*
Philippe ÉtancelinRet
Raymond SommerRet

* Indicates shared drive with Charles Pozzi in his privately entered T26C

n.b. Prior to there was no Constructor's World Championship, hence constructors were not awarded points.

Results of other Talbot-Lago cars

(key) (Results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap.)

YearEntrantChassisEngineDriver12345678
1950Ecurie RosierT26CTalbot L6GBRMON500SUIBELFRAITA
Louis Rosier5Ret4
Henri LouveauRet
Charles PozziDNA
private6*
Raymond SommerRetRet
Pierre LeveghDNA7RetRet
Guy MairesseRet
Ecurie Belge Johnny Claes117108RetRet
Ecurie Bleue Harry Schell8
Ecurie Leutitia Eugene ChaboudRet
Philippe Étancelin5*
T26C
T26C-DA
Philippe Étancelin8RetRet5*5
1951Ecurie RosierT26C
T26C-DA
T26C-GS
SUI500BELFRAGBRGERITAESP
Louis Rosier94Ret10877
Louis ChironRet6RetRetRetRet
Ecurie Belge Johnny Claes137Ret1311RetRet
Ecurie Belgique Jacques Swaters10Ret
André Pilette6
private Yves Giraud-CabantousRet57Ret8Ret
Philippe Étancelin10RetRetRet8
Guy Mairesse149
Eugene Chaboud8
Henri LouveauRet
Pierre Levegh89Ret
Duncan Hamilton12Ret
José Froilán GonzálezRet
Georges GrignardRet

* Indicates shared drive

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1948 - 1950 Talbot Lago T26C Grand Prix Specifications. Ultimatecarpage.com.
  2. Web site: Talbot Lago T26C Biplace group S (1950) - Racing Cars. tech-racingcars.wikidot.com.
  3. Web site: Talbot Lago T26C Grand Prix . Wouter . Melissen . Ultimatecarpage.com . 18 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201202121606/https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/624/Talbot-Lago-T26C-Grand-Prix.html . 2020-12-02 .
  4. http://www.statsf1.com/en/1949-hc/grand-prix-56.aspx VIII Grand Prix de Belgique, www.statsf1.com
  5. http://www.statsf1.com/en/1949-hc/grand-prix-59.aspx VI Grand Prix de France, www.statsf1.com