Talbot AV105 Sports: A hidden gem of 1930s sportscar racing

Amongst a host of well-known nameplates and marques including Bentley ‘Blowers’, Aston Martin Ulsters, Maserati Tipo 26Ms, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replicas and Alfa Romeo 8Cs, a pair of equally as elegant, but somewhat unknown sister cars demanded closer inspection. 

On first approach to one of the minty green four-seaters, the Talbot badge came into view, with a small competition record plate bolted to the front of the car glistening in the afternoon sunshine. Kneeling down, the inscription showed a number of notable achievements, along with a model designation that read “1931 Talbot 105 sports No3 team car GO53.”

Upon noticing our interest, the car’s owner – a Mr Chris Lunn – introduced himself to talk through its history, which includes a class-win and third place overall finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours, a class win and second overall at the Brooklands 1000 Miles, and retirement from fourth place at the Mille Miglia across the 1931 season. Plus, a first-place finish at the Ulster Tourist Trophy in 1932. 

“It’s the third of four works cars, designated GO53, which was built in 1931. It's a 3-litre with a manual box and I've owned it since 2007. We rally it, we tour in it, and we race it. I was first introduced to her at Le Mans Classic by this gentleman and have loved her ever since.” 

Chris then beckoned over his friend, Gareth Burnett, an authority on these 1930s racers. Attending 80MM with Pace Historics, he’s looking after Chris’ Talbot, along with racing an Alta Two-Seater Sports in the same class. 

“After I saw these green things flying past everyone else at Le Mans, I knew I had to have one. The noise, the smell, the colour. It’s just a fantastic car in so many ways. And not many people know what they are, or what they achieved in period.” 

With his encyclopaedic knowledge, Gareth stepped in to continue where Chris left off. Finishing each other's sentences, the pair are clearly close, frequently breaking into wide smiles and infectious laughter and happy to be sharing their passion for the unsung Talbot – and its sister car GO54 that finished third in Le Mans in 1932.

“There were four teams’ cars, GO51, GO52, GO53 and GO54 that raced Le Mans, TT, Mille Miglia, Brooklands. This car would have been fourth at Mille Miglia but 100km from the end, the driver Brad Lewis had an accident, which was his fault, and threw away what would have been the best ever finish for a British car.”

“Talking of that event, the works team forgot to put a road tax on GO53, so unscrewed the number plate from GO51, and stuck it on top of this at the Mille Miglia. Which is why the photos from that race show this as GO51, when in fact, it was GO53,” interjected Chris. “All of the sister cars have phenomenal history. The engineering is so fantastic. They were beating Bentleys already, but then came along the full works Alfa 8C.”

Gareth further celebrated the capabilities of the 105 Sports against the formidable Alfa Romeos. “Backed by the Italian Government, straight 8, twin-supercharged, the 8C was a phenomenal piece of kit that outshone the Talbots in many ways. But at the Ards TT race, which was a 13-mile road circuit, the Alfas were only just quicker than the Talbots, which were un-supercharged production cars in comparison.”

“They were still within a couple miles an hour per lap, with GO51 doing an 81mph average speed lap around the TT circuit – only 2mph short of the Alfas. The Talbots could also do the 6-hour race without stopping for fuel.” 

This result on its own speaks volumes about the handling, driveability and reliability of the Talbot 105 Sports, enabling it to go toe-to-toe with the more technologically advanced 8Cs. A true sportscar, both Chris and Gareth frequently described the Talbots – particularly GO53 – as a hidden gem of the historic racing world. 

“The chassis, the engines, the boxes are all exactly as they were in production cars,” said Gareth. “You’d go and order a Talbot saloon and it would essentially be the same as the team cars, which just had a lightweight body added to them. People have forgotten about them; they disappeared into a private collection for 40 years. One of the later sister cars from 1934 lapped Brooklands at an average speed of 129.7mph in 1938, making it the fastest ever four-seater to lap Brooklands.” 

“I wouldn't go a long way in it as a passenger, mind,” Chris added, “but they are utterly fantastic to race. Especially with Gareth behind the wheel, it's a truly great car. Perfect for a trip to the pub too!” 

Outclassed at 80MM by more modern machinery, Chris and his 1931 Talbot 105 Sports held no expectations for glory. But, when owning and racing a piece of British motorsport history looks this much fun, Chris Lunn is already winning in our book. 

Photography by Lou Johnson and Jayson Fong.