The Figoni & Falaschi 'Goutte d'Eau' Teardrop — French Art Deco coachwork at its absolute peak.
The Talbot-Lago T150-C SS was the sporting short-chassis variant of Anthony Lago's 4-litre six-cylinder grand tourer. Chassis were delivered to leading French coachbuilders, of which Figoni & Falaschi's 'Goutte d'Eau' (Teardrop) coupes are the most celebrated — roughly 14 were built (split between New York and Jeancart bodies). Power came from a 3,996cc OHV six with three Solex carburettors producing around 140 bhp. A Talbot-Lago monoposto won Le Mans in 1950 in modified specification.
The Teardrop Coupes are among the most beautiful cars ever built; concours-grade examples command top-of-market prices.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T150-C SS | 1937–1940 | — | Short-chassis sporting specification. |
| T150-C SS Teardrop | 1937–1939 | 14 | Figoni & Falaschi 'Goutte d'Eau' coupes. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Coachbuilder identity (Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop is paramount), pre-war origin, original chassis-body pairing.
The 4-litre OHV six is robust if maintained; Wilson preselector gearbox requires specialist familiarity. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Coupes are the leaders; other body styles by Saoutchik, Chapron and Franay follow. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
Small French and US specialist network; club support through Amicale Talbot-Lago. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Teardrop Coupes are essentially a museum-grade asset; broader Talbot-Lago coachwork is firm.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-08-19 | Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach | 1937 T150-C SS Teardrop (Figoni & Falaschi) | — | $13,425,000 Sold |
Among the most beautiful cars ever built; concours and museum demand is permanent.
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