The Talbot 14/45 was in production between 1926 and 1935. Whilst the British Talbot Vehicle Manufacturing Company was a part of the larger Anglo-French Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq (STD) combine, it was struggling to stay in business at the time when a Swiss engineer, Georges Roesch rejoined the company in 1925.
By using a newly designed six-cylinder in the 14/45 of 1926 Roesch completely transformed the business’s prospects and remained with them until, due to continuing group financial difficulties, Talbot was acquired by, and became part of, the Rootes Group in 1935.
Prior to the return of Roesch, Talbot only had a range of old model cars with aging technical features which were not selling. Roesch set about introducing a new range commencing with the 14/45. Even though this car was quite conventional, starting out as a five-seater sedan with a 3048 mm wheelbase it was powered by a superb four-cylinder engine of 1666 cc with only four crankshaft main bearings which, for its time, was well ahead of any of its British opposition.
Over the next nine years it was further developed and enlarged until it reached 3377 cc with an output of 92 kW.
The car was not only well-built but the quality of its engineering was especially obvious. With a reasonably low asking price it was an immediate market success and orders began pouring in. Not long after its release demand was such that at least 50 14/45 cars were being built each week. A high rate for that time.
Even though they required servicing by well qualified mechanics, buyers loved them. Good handling, precision engineering were features which appealed to customers. The 14/45 was very popular in its day and before it was finally phased out no fewer than 11,851 cars had been produced.
