The expression, F1 with fenders, has often been used in the history of Le Mans to describe a car with a unique design. Notable examples of this are the Peugeot 905 with its flat front nose, the Toyota GT-One and its long rear bodywork and wing, and more recently the Audi R18 with its mysterious air funneling shape. The comparison is however misleading as the philosophy behind a Le Mans Prototype (LMP) is completely different from that of single-seater open wheel design. In reality, the two disciplines share very little in common. But there is one exception, a "real" Formula 1 car with fenders, the Talbot-Lago T26 from 1950.

With a normally aspirated 6 cylinder engine, the car was less powerful than its Italian competitors (Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ferrari), but compensated by being agile and well balanced. Winner at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1949, driver Louis Rosier finished the 1950 world championship season in fourth place.The 1950 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours is best remembered for one man's heroic accomplishment. Louis Roser drove almost the entire race, letting his son, Jean-Louis, drive a stint of only two laps. But behind the story of the man and his exploits, is the car that took him there, as effective over 300 kilometres as it was over 3,000: the Talbot-Lago T26.

The intrinsic qualities of the car incites Antony Lago to create a Grand Sport version, where the modifications were minor: the cockpit was widened to make room for a second seat (regulations at the time stipulated this), and mud flaps, lights and spare tyre were added. And since you don't fix something that's not broken, the car is driven by Louis Rosier, who's team spirit was slightly lacking...

Today still, the Talbot-Lago T26 remains the only example of this happening. The longevity imposed on the new V6 engines in F1 for 2014 (five per driver during the season) will perhaps allow them to take a second career in endurance race...but even then, that's only the motor...