Clément-Talbot

Clément-Talbot Limited

Company type	Private
Industry	Automobile manufacturing
Founded	1903
Founder	Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury; Adolphe Clément; Baron Auguste Lucas; Emile Lamberjack
Defunct	1938
Fate	Acquired by S.T.D. Motors in 1919; later taken over by Rootes Group
Headquarters	Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, London , United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom, France
Key people	Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, Daniel M. Weigel (managing director), Charles Riley Garrard (works manager), Louis Coatalen (chief engineer)
Products	Automobiles
Parent	S.T.D. Motors (from 1919), Rootes Group (from 1935)

Clément-Talbot Limited was a British automobile manufacturer established in 1903, operating from facilities located in Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, London. The company was financed by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury, whose family name and emblem became the brand's identity and trademark. Among the investors were automobile producer Adolphe Clément, as well as Baron Auguste Lucas and Emile Lamberjack, all based in France.

Toward the end of 1919, Clément-Talbot was sold by its shareholders to the enterprise that evolved into S.T.D. Motors. Despite this acquisition, it maintained its distinct identity, manufacturing vehicles either designed internally or by its own engineers until 1934. After the financial downfall of S.T.D., the Rootes brothers took over the company. When Rootes Group acquired Clément-Talbot’s parent firm Darracq & Co. in 1935, the Talbot marque was preserved, eventually leading to the creation of Sunbeam-Talbot Limited in 1938.

Origin

The earliest Talbot automobiles were essentially rebranded Clément-Bayard models produced in France and retailed by the British Automobile Commercial Syndicate Limited, led by Daniel M. Weigel. These vehicles were sold from the Earl of Shrewsbury’s premises at 97–98 Long Acre, which also housed Maison Talbot, a distributor of Michelin tyres. The Earl’s enterprise primarily dealt with importing and selling various European motor vehicles and related products, including brands such as Panhard, Hotchkiss, Mors, and Clément-Gladiator. This collaboration fostered a strong business relationship with entrepreneur Adolphe Clément, culminating in April 1902 when the Earl became an agent for Clément cars. By 1903, French car imports under his management had surpassed £2,000,000. To prevent conflict with his own Talbot dealerships, the Earl ceased this import business in 1909, at which time only Spyker vehicles were advertised.

The formal incorporation of Clément-Talbot took place in 1903 with objectives to manufacture and market horseless carriages, motorcars, airships, and related components. A factory site was acquired in Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, positioned adjacent to the Great Western Railway line between Wormwood Scrubs and the Kensal Green Cemetery. This facility later expanded to cover .

Clément-Talbot Works

The administrative building at the works on Barlby Road is presently known as Ladbroke Hall offices. Its façade prominently displays the personal crest of Shrewsbury and Talbot—a registered trademark featured on all London Talbot radiator badges and retained by Sunbeam-Talbot until production ceased in 1967.

Constructed from brick, the workshops incorporated saw-tooth roofs fitted with glazed panels to optimize daylight exposure and contained state-of-the-art machinery. The reception area for administration was designed with grandeur reminiscent of a miniature palace, featuring marble Ionic columns, gilded frescoes, and stained glass windows engraved with the Shrewsbury and Talbot coat of arms.

Production

Weigel took on the role of managing director, while Charles Riley Garrard served as works manager at Clément-Talbot. Beginning in 1904, assembly operations commenced in Kensington utilizing components imported from abroad. In December 1904, the Earl characterized Clément-Talbot as being "partly-controlled by French interests." At that stage, all manufacturing was conducted within Britain except for the engines, which were brought in from France. The first completely British-designed models were introduced in 1907. By 1908, Clément-Bayard’s new L-head engines with enhanced performance capabilities were launched, allowing Talbot vehicles to compete successfully with rivals such as Vauxhall and Sunbeam.

Vehicles Produced by Clément-Talbot London (1904–1916)

Models manufactured in France are indicated with an asterisk.

Data sourced from The Autocar Buyer's Guide and Ian Nickols and Kent Karslake's Motoring Entente.

Model	Cylinders	Displacement	Bore x Stroke	Tax hp	Brake hp	Production Years	Gears	Wheelbase	Track
7 hp |2 |1004 cc |80 x 100 mm |7.9 | |1905–06 |3 |70 in (1778 mm) |
8 hp |2 |1004 cc |80 x 100 mm |7.9 | |1904–06 |3 |78 in (1981 mm) |
8/10 hp* |2 |1248 cc |85 x 110 mm |9 | |1907 |3 |96 in (2438 mm) |51 in (1295 mm)
9 hp |2 |1885 cc |100 x120 mm |12.4 | |1905 |3
10 hp |2 |1885 cc |100 x120 mm |12.4 | |1905–06, 1908 |3-4 |93–110 in (2362–2794 mm) |53 in (1346 mm)
10/14 hp* |4 |1591 cc |75 x90 mm |14 | |1907–07 |3-4 |108 in (2743 mm) | 51 in (1295 mm)
12 hp series* and UK-built versions	4	2409–2724 cc	80–85 x120 mm	15.9–17.9			1904–15	3–4	88–114 in (2235–2896 mm)	50–55 in (1270–1397 mm)
15 hp series	4	2976–3561 cc	90 x117–140 mm	20.1			1907–13	4	98–119 in (2489–3023 mm)	55 in (1397 mm)
20 hp series	4–6	3053–3770 cc	80–100 x120 mm	20.1–24.8			1904, 06, 10–13	4	92–124 in (2337–3150 mm)	55 in (1397 mm)

Model	Cylinders	Displacement	Bore x Stroke	Tax hp	Years	Gears	Wheelbase	Track
24 hp series	4	4398 cc	100 x140 mm	24.8	"1905-06"	"4"	"110-129 in (2794-3277 mm)"	"55-57 in (1397-1448 mm)"
25 hp series	4	"4155-4447 cc"	"100.5-105 x120-140 mm"	"25-27.3"	"1908-15"	"4"	"116-132 in (2946-3353 mm)"	"55-55.5 in (1397-1410 mm)"
25-50 hp V6	"6"	"3614-3921 cc"	"80 x120-130 mm"	"23.8"	"1914-15"	"4"	"132-139 in (3353-3531 mm)"	"55.5 in (1410 mm)"
27 hp & above*	"4"	"4942-8624 cc"	"110 x130 -140 x140 mm"	"30 -48.6"	"1904 -08"	"4"	"up to129 in (3277 mm)"	"up to57 in (1448 mm)"

Ownership Changes

In the autumn of 1919, A Darracq and Company (1905) completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Clément-Talbot effective from 31 July 1918. At that time, Auguste Oddenino, a businessman and restaurateur based on Regent Street, held a significant stake in Clément-Talbot. Following World War I, Adolphe Clémente-Bayard’s Levallois manufacturing plant encountered difficulties; he gradually withdrew from automobile production and ultimately sold the Levallois facility to André Citroën in 1921. That same year marked the passing of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot.

In 1920, Darracq of London acquired the Sunbeam Motor Car Company and subsequently restructured as S.T.D. Motors. The strategic rationale behind this consolidation remained unclear since all three companies continued their operations independently across Wolverhampton, London, and Paris locations. According to Anthony Blight, Coatalen returned full-time to S.T.D., driven by prospects related to motor racing across multiple marques and countries; he resumed his role as design consultant based in Paris after retiring from Sunbeam.

Automobiles Talbot Suresnes

The shift away from the Darracq branding commenced in early 1919, with vehicles initially labeled as Talbot-Darracq; by 1920, the Darracq designation was completely eliminated. Owen Clegg, based in Suresnes, Paris, was responsible for designing new automobile models intended for manufacturing both at Suresnes and Kensington.

Louis Coatalen, who continued to serve as a director within S.T.D., joined as chief engineer and effectively halted Clegg’s design projects. Coatalen focused on creating a new Sunbeam racing vehicle and advancing product lines for Wolverhampton and Paris facilities. The Kensington plant was tasked with producing a compact utility car developed by Coatalen’s newly established Paris engineering team.

Continuation of Clément-Talbot London

At first, the Kensington factory converted wartime ambulances into Talbot touring cars. After completing this work, production shifted back to prewar luxury models, which faced difficulties due to the economic downturn of 1920. Additionally, the factory was commissioned to manufacture two new 3-litre straight-eight Grand Prix cars under S.T.D., along with a 1½-litre version; all these vehicles featured Talbot-branded radiators.

Postwar Model Developments

8-18 – Paris Design

This compact, agile "utility" vehicle was aimed at rural doctors and professionals. Its lively 970 cc engine operated smoothly but lacked a differential, leading to increased tyre wear and suspension problems. The price was approximately 50% higher than appropriate for its target market. Production took place at Barlby Road with local assembly at Acton under varied badges.

10-23 – Roesch Enhancement

An improved version of the 8-18 featuring an enlarged 1074 cc engine, inclusion of a differential, extended wheelbase, and strengthened chassis. Though heavier and slower than its predecessor, it accommodated four passengers and achieved commercial success.

12-30 – Talbot’s First Six-Cylinder

A six-cylinder variant of the 8-18 with an initial capacity of 1454 cc (later expanded to 1612 cc). It incorporated upgraded gearbox and controls but did not gain popularity or commercial success, primarily remembered as Talbot’s inaugural six-cylinder model.

Vehicles Produced by Clément-Talbot London (1919–1938)

Information compiled from The Autocar Buyer's Guide and Ian Nickols & Kent Karslake's Motoring Entente, Cassell, London 1956

Model	Cylinders	Engine Capacity (cc)	Bore x Stroke (mm)	Tax HP	Brake HP	Production Years
16	4	2614	80 x 130	15.9	—	1914–1915, 1921
36	6	3922	80 x 130	23.8	50	1915, 1921
14	4	1955	72 x 120	12.9	—	1921
8-18	4	970	57 x 95	8.0	20	1922–1926
10-23	4	1074	60 x 95	8.9	23	1923–1926
Early 12-30	6	1454	57 x95	12	—	1922–1924
Later 12-30	6	1612	60 x95	13.4	30	1924
Various Six-cylinder Models (16-50,18-55)	6	2540	70 x110	18.2	—	'24-'25 only
Talbot 14-45	6	1666	61 x95	13.8	46	'26–'35
Additional Six-cylinder Models (20-60,18-70)	'26–'30
Performance Six-cylinder Models (90,75,105)	'30–'37
Mid-range Six-cylinder (65)	'32–'35
Sport Six-cylinder (95,110)	'33–'37
V8 Eight Model	'36 only
Four-cylinder 10 Model	'36–'39
3-litre Six-cylinder Model	'37–'38

External links

• Photographs of the purpose-built Barlby Road Works in North Kensington circa 1930
• Photograph of the 1903 Clement-Talbot Type CT4K featured in Bonhams auction. 18HP Four-cylinder, 'Roi-D'Italie Tonneau. Body by J.Rothschild et Fils, Paris Registration AP 107. Auctioned for £606,300
• Footage of Percy Lambert's world record set at Brooklands on 15 February 1913