1904 Talbot CT4V-B 12/16-hp Brougham
This 1904 Talbot emerged during the formation of Clement-Talbot Limited in 1903, a collaboration between British aristocrat Charles Chetwynd-Talbot (the Earl of Shrewsbury & Talbot) and French entrepreneur Adolphe Clément.
The CT4V-B featured an advanced 2,724cc four-cylinder T-head engine producing 16 horsepower, distinguishing it from its slightly smaller sibling, the 12/14-hp CT4V. The car’s foundation was a strong “chromic-nickel” steel channel chassis with hydraulically-pressed construction, integral front dumb irons, and live rear axles. Power transferred through a four-speed transmission with propeller shaft drive.
What makes this vehicle particularly noteworthy is its elegant Brougham body configuration, featuring a closed passenger compartment with an open chauffeur’s seat. This substantial body design maintained the “horseless carriage” aesthetic prevalent in 1904. The car’s dual-purpose design perfectly illustrates the transitional period between horse-drawn transport and motorized vehicles.
The Clément-Talbot cars quickly gained recognition for their exceptional quality. Contemporary publications acknowledged them as being “in the front rank of light automobiles.” The CT4V-B represents British automotive manufacturing’s early days, when assembly of imported components gradually gave way to complete domestic production.
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