Giving back to the future
The Lundquist’s 1938 Talbot-Lago was one of the four cars nominated for Best of Show at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Richard and Melanie Lundquist, whose 1938 Talbot-Lago made it to the final four of this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, are determined to foster a new generation of highly-skilled craftspeople to restore and maintain the jewels of automotive history.
During Monterey Car Week in August, the Palos Verdes Estates couple announced a $1 million donation to McPherson College in Kansas, the only school in the country that offers a degree in automotive restoration.
“Most people my age aren’t really into cars,” McPherson junior Nathan McLaughlin said. “We’re kind of unique at McPherson College. We want to build things with our hands.”
The Lundquists saw the donation as furthering their philanthropic efforts in education.
“We’re thrilled to bits that these young people are interested in preserving this industry,” Melanie Lundquist said. “It’s our generation’s responsibility to provide opportunities for them.”
The gift was given in recognition of renowned auto restorer Paul Russell, who received an honorary doctorate from the college in 2016.
McPherson College students, alumni and supporters with Melanie and Richard Lundquists’ 1938 Talbot-Lago at last month’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Photo courtesy of Paul Russell and Company
In preparation for this year’s Concours d’ Elegance, Russell restored the Lundquists’ 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Cabriolet. His efforts earned the car first place in the European Classic convertible division, and the car was one of four finalists for Best of Show.
“It was emotional,” Melanie said of standing among the spectators on the 18th fairway during the judging. “I thought ‘Oh my God, our car is sitting there for potentially Best of Show.’”
That honor ultimately went to a 1931 Bentley Sports Tourer, but “oh, it was absolutely magnificent,” Richard said. “What a great experience with our car doing as well as it did.”
The Lundquists acquired the Talbot-Lago five years ago, after the couple fell in love with its French curves, characteristic of European luxury cars of the 1930s.
As a child, Richard was able to identify almost every make and model of automobile in the world. But he was not familiar with the French-built Talbot-Lago.
“I don’t think too many of us in the United States knew much about foreign cars back then,” he said.
When the couple acquired the Talbot-Lago, they knew the previous restoration efforts did not do the car justice. For that authentication, they called on Russell, whose Essex, Massachusetts workshop is among the most respected in the world.
“The front fender wasn’t in the correct location. The grill was missing two vertical bars and there were no turn signals,” Richard said.
While combing through books, photos and historical records to restore the car to its original condition, Russell’s team discovered that the coach builder’s son lived in Paris.
“He was in his 90s and had the Talbot-Lago archives in his basement,” Richard said.
On one of their three trips to Paris, the team made another discovery. While at an antique parts show, they stumbled upon a set of Talbot-Lago turn signals in their original boxes. They had never been sold.
“It’s not easy to find original parts from the 1930s,” Russell’s restoration manager Chris Clark said. “Those that we can’t find, we have to make.”
Armed with photos, archives and original parts, the master restorers stripped the car down to its chassis, repaired the brakes and steering, rebuilt the engine and repainted the car in its original two-tone black and cream color.
The Lundquists saw their newly painted Talbot-Lago for the first time when it was delivered to Pebble Beach. They described the moment when the tarp was removed as magical and a testament to old-world craftsmanship.
They weren’t alone in their appreciation of Russell’s work.
During the judging, dozens of car fans car approached the couple.
“They said thank you for the time, trouble and expense you went through to preserve this piece of history,” Melanie said.
The couple accepted those sentiments as validation of their decision to support McPherson College.