Abandoned For 30 Years in Tar and Regret | Barn Find Talbot Fights Back | Her Car Restoration Diary

Published at : 23 Dec 2025

In Episode 3 of this Talbot-Lago T26 restoration, we continue workshop work, uncover hidden problems under decades of grime, inspect wheels, fabricate gaskets, and start cleaning the underside.

Last time, we uncovered clues hidden beneath layers of tar — including a gearbox and serial numbers that may reveal Jessica’s true identity.
The DVLA inspection is done. Now we wait.

In the meantime, there’s still plenty of grease and mystery left to tackle.

In Episode 3 of Her Car Restoration Diary, work continues on the 1947 Talbot-Lago T26 as we:
– inspect wheels and damaged spokes
– plan a full wheel refurbishment
– hand-make gaskets that haven’t existed for decades
– improvise tools for old-world engineering
– check gearbox oil access
– identify unknown threads by measurement
– inspect the underside for the first time
– attempt steam-cleaning 78 years of grime

Spoiler: steam alone won’t save us.
We’re going to need something stronger.

This restoration is about patience, problem-solving, and respecting the story written into every layer of dirt.

🛠 Project Jessie– full background & ongoing progress:
🔗 https://blacktagoctane.com/jessica-rabbit-1947-talbot-lago-t26/
This page collects photos, technical notes, and all videos related to Gromit in one place.

🕰️ Chapters:
00:00 – Previously: What We Found Under the Tar
00:15 – DVLA Inspection Done
00:38 – Wheels Off: First Reality Check
01:07 – Wheel Condition & Missing Spokes
02:04 – Making Gaskets by Hand
02:19 – Tools Matter (Thanks Colin)
05:40 – When “Tight Enough” Isn’t
09:51 – What’s Hiding Underneath
11:07 – Identifying Unknown Threads
13:55 – Can Steam Clean 78 Years of Tar?
15:02 – We’ll Need Something Stronger


💋 ALL Her Car Restoration Diary: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Xa_ZyhYeTZRt5C2nnUhricgd0GvpETv

🏁 ALL Her Racing Diary: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Xa_ZyhYeTZhqg9m-_c910ragKZFnftf

🔧More from the workshop: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Xa_ZyhYeTab8NRobkOeJx7_r6FHQ4C9

🔥Sunday's Drives: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Xa_ZyhYeTYNm5HHAjajERqud3wk4khj

#ClassicCarRestoration
#TalbotLago
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