Sunbeam-Talbot Ten
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1913 |
| Headquarters | North Kensington , United Kingdom |
| Products | Automobiles (including Sunbeam-Talbot Ten) |
The Sunbeam-Talbot Ten is a compact executive car manufactured by Rootes Group at their Clément-Talbot facility located in North Kensington. Its production spanned from 1938 to 1939 and resumed after World War II between 1945 and 1948. Initially launched as a two-door model, the lineup was later expanded to include a four-door sports saloon, a drophead coupé, and a sports tourer variant.
Talbot Ten
Following Rootes Group's acquisition of Clément-Talbot and the Sunbeam Motor Car Company in 1935, the company sought to utilize the Talbot badge to penetrate more affordable market segments. The Talbot Ten emerged as one of the earliest vehicles embodying this approach, designed to introduce a compact option within Talbot’s portfolio. Revealed at the 1936 Motor Show, this model was essentially an extended version of the Hillman Aero Minx, featuring an enhanced chassis developed by Talbot’s Georges Roesch and branded as a Talbot. It was marketed as an appealing, sophisticated, and well-appointed small executive automobile.
Bodies
The pillarless two-door saloon bodywork was crafted by the Darracq Motor Engineering Company based in Acton, with probable design oversight by Rootes’ body engineering manager Ted White. The open tourer variant was produced by Whittingham & Mitchel, while the drophead coupé featuring an intermediate coupé de ville seating arrangement was supplied by E. D. Abbott Ltd.
Sunbeam-Talbot Ten
In August 1938, the Talbot Ten received a rebranding as the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten. Rootes opted against manufacturing a large luxury vehicle under the Sunbeam marque, instead preserving the brand by associating it with Talbot. Although it resembled a rebadged four-door Talbot Ten, the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten introduced an entirely new all-steel four-door body. Enhancements included pressed steel wheels fitted with wheel discs, adoption of a conventional gear lever, upgraded instrumentation, and redesigned front mudguards. The synchromesh feature was removed initially from first gear and subsequently from second gear. The engine and radiator assembly were moved forward by 3.5 inches while retaining essentially the same chassis configuration. Assembly occurred at British Light Steel Pressings in Acton. Export versions carried the Sunbeam emblem. This model was considered one of the most stylish small saloons available during its era.
The saloon embodied the streamlined aesthetic popular among late 1930s British automobiles, characterized by standalone headlights. It was powered by an 1185 cc side-valve engine producing 41 bhp. Suspension utilized semi-elliptical leaf springs on all wheels, achieving a maximum speed of approximately 68 mph. By 1948, its price nearly doubled that of the Austin A40 Devon despite offering slightly lower top speed on highways.
Although bearing a strong resemblance to the quicker Sunbeam-Talbot 2 Litre, the Ten featured a wheelbase and overall length shorter by roughly three inches.
Production
- Talbot Ten (1935–1938):
- 2-door saloon: 2,450 units; drophead coupé (DHC): 581; tourer: 554; chassis only: 56; other variants: 9
- Sunbeam-Talbot Ten (1938–1948):
- 4-door saloon: 5,655 units; DHC: 767; tourer: 822; open two-seater: 11; other variants: 2
In 1948, the Sunbeam-Talbot Ten was replaced by the Sunbeam-Talbot 80, which featured a full-width body design essentially based on a restyled roof pressing from its predecessor.