Talbot-Lago T14 Classic Cars for Sale

History of the Talbot-Lago T14

The Talbot-Lago T14 emerged in the late 1950s as Talbot-Lago's final effort to establish itself in the grand touring segment. The project became a reality thanks to the collaboration with Carlo Delaisse, the celebrated chief designer at Letourneur et Marchand, one of Paris' leading coachbuilders. His design gave the T14 its striking silhouette and earned it recognition as his magnum opus.

In order to appeal to the lucrative US market, Talbot-Lago equipped the T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport with a 2.5-litre V8 engine sourced from BMW, giving the car both global appeal and a considerable dynamic advantage. This Franco-German cooperation was a bold decision, aiming to secure financial stability through desirable performance credentials.

The T14's story is tightly linked with the decline and eventual takeover of Talbot-Lago by Simca in 1959. As Simca faced its own financial struggles, the Talbot-Lago marque was discontinued, and with it, the T14 project came to an end.

Model History and Evolution

The T14's lineage can be traced back to Talbot-Lago’s tradition of producing high-performance, beautifully engineered grand tourers. Although there is no direct predecessor within the brand for the T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport, it embodied the spirit of earlier post-war Talbot-Lago models while striving for international relevance. Successor models never materialised under the Talbot-Lago name due to the Simca acquisition and phasing out of the brand. The T14 thus symbolises the final chapter of the exclusive Talbot-Lago story.

Highlights of the Talbot-Lago T14

The Talbot-Lago T14 is remarkable for its unique blend of French styling and German engineering. Designed by Carlo Delaisse, the coupe combines a lightweight aluminium body with advanced mechanicals. The star feature is undoubtedly the 2.5-litre BMW V8 engine, a rare choice for French cars of the era, and a key selling point aimed at international buyers. Manual four-speed transmission enhances the authentic, involvement-focused driving experience. Add to this a production run of just 13 cars, and the T14 stands out as a real rarity.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Collectible Models

With only 13 examples built, every single Talbot-Lago T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport produced qualifies as a collectible and ‘special edition’ in itself. No further official derivatives or trims are known, making each T14 as rare as it gets.

Engine, Performance, Transmission and Handling

The 2.5-litre V8 from BMW delivers a distinctive character, offering strong midrange torque and smooth power delivery. Paired with a four-speed manual, it underscores the T14's sports-GT DNA. The aluminium bodywork means the T14 is light and responsive, giving it sharp handling characteristics for its era. These technical choices were expressly targeted at buyers seeking an engaging and exclusive grand tourer. Noteworthy is the T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport, equipped with the BMW V8 and manual four-speed transmission, marking it apart from anything else in the Talbot-Lago stable.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Carlo Delaisse’s design for Letourneur et Marchand resulted in an aesthetically coherent coupe with sweeping lines, fine aluminium body panels and a distinctly French elegance. Interior appointments were tailored to each client, reflecting the sense of personal luxury that bespoke coachbuilding allowed. Special features include the use of lightweight materials, hand-finished details, and an interior ambience focused on grand touring comfort. No official records of unique exterior colours or specific accessory packages have survived, but each car’s bespoke nature points to potential one-offs among the 13 vehicles built.

Summary

The Talbot-Lago T14 America Coupé 2500 Sport stands as a testament to late-1950s French automotive ambition and craftsmanship. Fitted with an advanced BMW V8, dressed in aluminium and designed by Carlo Delaisse, each of the 13 built promises exclusivity and technical intrigue that attracts true classic car enthusiasts.