6 cylinder overhead valve engine 68.5mm x 100 mm 2276 cc Coil ignition, single downright Zenith Carburettor. 4 speed crash gearbox, 9’ 3’’ chassis with Brooklands Team Body. Top speed 100 mph, 20 mpg
Model History
The Talbot AO90 was created as a result of Mr Arthur Fox of Fox and Nicholl Ltd. speaking to Mr Georges Roesch, the Clement Talbot Ltd Chief Designer, about the possibility of fitting a short chassis (9’3’’) 14/45 Scout with a 75 engine and lightweight body to compete in at Brooklands, Le Mans, the Ards TT and the Irish Grand Prix. The plan went ahead and as the car was much faster than expected it was renamed the 90.
PL3
The three car Team, PL2, 3 and 4, were entered for the Brooklands Double 12, but PL3 and 4 were involved in a crash and the two rebuilt cars were then entered for the Le Mans 24 hours endurance race. They finished 3rd and 4th with PL3 winning the Index of Performance. At the end of a very successful season PL3 was rebodied with a 4 seat tourer body and was entered in trials, such as the Inter-Varsity Trial in 1931 before disappearing, apparently without trace. The car was built up by Ian Polson and Arthur Archer for the present owner in the early 1980’s using correct period Talbot parts with the Team body copied from the surviving team car, PL2. After years of being used for touring England, France and Switzerland, PL3 began a second racing career in England and gained an entry to the 2016 Le Mans Classic in July The car was driven to the French circuit from Suffolk, competed successfully at Le Mans and was then driven home to London. A truly outstanding achievement by a very remarkable motor car. NW
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