Pete05
Premium
- 7,042
- Melbourne, Australia
In concept the Talbot-Lago was dated when the first Formula One came into effect, and it was to be the last Grand Prix car with semi-elliptic rear suspension. In essence, it derived from Talbot sports cars, using identical suspension and a similar but narrower chassis frame carrying a neat body. Front-mounted oil coolers were it's only unusual outward characteristic. The engine was a long-stroke six, in which the single camshaft of the sports unit was replaced by two camshafts mounted high, one on either side of the block, operating large overhead valves through short pushrods and rockers, an arrangement that was efficient, avoided the complication of overhead camshafts and saved weight. Lago had been General Manager of the Wilson Self-Changing Gear Company before he joined STD, and a Wilson epicyclic preselector gearbox, which had the advantage of being extremely rugged, was standard. With a Wilson gearbox, a driver selected a gear before he needed to change, the actual change being effected by stabbing the clutch pedal. Behind the gearbox, spur gears offset the transmission to the right and drive was carried to a similarly offset differential; this allowed a low cockpit seat.
Such development as Talbot finances permitted was concerntrated on the engine. In three years, output was increased by about 40 bhp and some of the excess weight was pared from later cars.
ENGINE
Configuration
Straight six
Location
Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction
Aluminium block and head
Displacement
4482 cc / 273.5 cu in
Bore / Stroke
93 mm (3.7") x 110 mm (4.3")
Compression
11.0:1
Valvetrain
2 valves per cylinder, OHV
Fuel
Alcohol
Fuel feed
3 x Zenith 50 mm HN DD Carburettors
Ignition
Twin spark
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Power
260 bhp / 194 kW @ 5000 rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Body
Aluminium
Chassis
Steel box-section ladder frame
Front suspension
Wishbones, transverse leaf springs, friction dampers
Rear suspension
Live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction dampers
Steering
Worm and nut
Brakes
Drums, all-round
Gearbox
Wilson Preselector 4 speed manual
DIMENSIONS
Weight
950 kg / 2094.4 lbs
Length
4077 mm / 160.5"
Width
1308 mm / 51.5"
Wheelbase
2502 mm / 98.5"
Front track
1372 mm / 54"
Rear track
1308 mm / 51.5"
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2780.html
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/624/Talbot-Lago-T26C-Grand-Prix.html
Last edited:
