THIS is what F1 cars were like in 1948? Talbot-Lago T26C
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Driving a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26C F1 car and fixing an oil leak.
Although often overlooked because it didn't have the power of many other cars it competed against, the Talbot-Lago T26C forced teams to think beyond power and speed. In its own way, the T26C helped define what a successful race car was and is.
Using Talbot's existing 3 liter, 6 cylinder engine, Lago was able to improve upon this base and produced a 4 liter version for competition purposes. This engine would be widely used throughout the 30s. After World War II, Lago, helped by a new designer Carlo Marchetti, developed a 4.5 liter version of the 6 cylinder, but this engine was only able to produce 165bhp. This engine was later revised and able to produce around 240bhp. One interesting aspect of the design of the Talbot-Lago engine was that the pushrods that operated the valves were shorter due to the lateral camshafts located about midway up the engine block. This helped efficiency.
Before Formula One's first season in 1950, Lago further refined his 6 cylinder engine until it became capable of producing 260bhp. The horsepower increase, however, was going to be no match for the Alfa Romeos and others that were capable of producing well in excess of 300hp. However, the Talbot-Lago team found there were other ways that made themselves competitive. Talbot-Lago found that gas economy and reliability made up much of the difference.
Lago designed a chassis to be mated with his 6 cylinder engine for competition with Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari. The T26C chassis was a low-slung bobsled-shaped roadster. The overall oval shaped chassis was dominated on the nose by the radiator inlet due to the inline engine in front of the driver-an arrangement that was the norm of the day. The front suspension had a wishbone arrangement that utilized transverse leaf springs and friction dampers to help the car negotiate the bumps and to help with the all-important stability.
Travelling back from the nose the overall shape turned more triangular as the body design had to compensate for the height of the engine head. This, like most roadsters, led to the triangular shape because it helped aerodynamically with the engine but also with the driver that sat up into the airflow quite a bit. On the right side of the chassis up by the engine the air induction tube stuck out. The engine cowling was flattened out on the right side to cover the induction pipes as they connected to the engine. On the other side, exhaust pipes flowed from each cylinder, out through an opening and blended into two vertically stacked pipes that travelled the length of the car to behind the left rear wheel.
The T26C utilized a reliable 4 speed Wilson pre-selector gearbox, but the gearshift location was rather interesting for a racing car. Due to its compact size, the cockpit was rather tight, in many cases the driver's knees were in his chest. Therefore, like many automatic vehicles of today, the gearshift was located behind the steering wheel.
Snuggly fitted behind the large steering wheel with a small windshield, and with the mirrors attached to the chassis and located on either side of the steering wheel, this truly was the epitome of a Formula One roadster of the day, including the dangers the drivers faced. With the fuel tank located in the teardrop-shaped rear of the car, and the engine up in front, the driver was in a precarious situation driving a grand prix car of this era.
Despite being inferior in power by practically 100hp, the T26C threatened the more powerful teams by using greater gas mileage and reliability as its tactics. Through these tactics other teams came to truly realize their vulnerability. Other teams needed to seriously address these important issues to stay competitive. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, in Formula One, Talbot-Lago's T26C ushered in the balance between speed and endurance. This is why Talbot-Lago is probably even more famous for its endurance racing. Lago would design a wider version of the T26C, complete with fenders and headlights, to meet the rules and would actually go on to win the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1950. The 24 hour race was made for the Talbot-Lago chassis and engine combination and was one of the team's most notable victories.
Hit the like button right now if you like the video, it's the only way for us to grow!
This is the Legendary Motorcar Show. We're gonna show you some of the coolest cars ever made! Subscribe for weekly content including reviews, PURE sound, drives, tips for restoration & buying/selling classic cars, and guest appearances from some of your favorite celebrities in the car community!
Visit us at www.legendarymotorcar.com to see our inventory, services & more!
#TalbotLago
What a wonderful gearbox - My father raced in the 50s the 1949 French Grand Prix winning T26C
My mother raced one of these cars. It was owned by Bernard Benson, and iirc raced with help from Otto Zipper at Hollywood Sportscars. She raced numerous SCCA events with it, alternating between it and an RSK550 Porsche owned by Otto, the family MGTD and an AC Bristol.
There was a closed-wheel version of this car, and I remember my dad taking me for a short blast down our street in it, much to the surprise of a number of neighbors...Malibu Road in the early 60's was still pretty uncrowded back then, but that car was ridiculously loud, and it scared the shit out of everyone within earshot.
Last I heard that particular car was owned by a dentist in Monterey, Ca, who ran it at a number of events, mostly Sears Point and Laguna Seca...though others here might know more about it.
It could still go in excess of 280km/h !
Many would say it's sacrilege, but if I owned it and planned to use it on track... Which I totally would... I'd put belts in it and maybe some sort of removable roll over protection.
That thing is properly dangerous. Fun but dangerous.
There is nothing wrong with making small improvements to make it safer, and more fun to drive, as long as they can be undone if need be.
Great feature as always from LMC. The owner of the Talbot seems extremely knowledgable and very sharp.
I'd rather take that for a spin than a new F1 car. Well I'd probably be scared to death driving a new F1 car anyway.
You'd be suprised how scary these old car are
I love TMP! Uli is a great guy, former prototype driver. I was up there 4-5 times a year before covid. Hopefully the US Canada. border will open up and be less restrictive soon. I'm stuck down here in Buffalo doing autocross.
There was no formula one in 1948 ;-)
So while there wasn’t an “F1 world championship,” there certainly was a defined formula. From what I’ve read the first “official” F1 race is generally considered to be the ‘47 Pau Grand Prix.
Wow. Excellent. Thank you! Y’all must have money living in Malibu at that time.
👍❤️
Running out of fuel is a clear indication that you're having so much fun with it!
😍👏👏👏
Very cool video, thanks Gary 😎
It have Weber carburetors?
What an exciting video, it must have been awesome experiencing the Talbot Lago!!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!! 👍👍
Thanks for all your support
looking inside at the pedals 😕 this thing looks like a death trap lol