Talbot Lago T150 Ss 'teardrop' Coupe Figoni & Falaschi

This exceptionally elegant body style is called the goutte d eau, the water droplet. In English it is known as the teardrop. It is a creation of the Parisian coachbuilders Figoni & Falaschi, who were at the time renowned for their flamboyant yet always stylish body designs.

The goutte deau is what this exceptionally beautiful body is called, the water droplet. In English it is called the teardrop. It is a creation of the Parisian coachbuilders Figoni & Falaschi, then known for their flamboyant yet always stylish body designs. Their creations stand in sharp contrast to what is usually offered. Their techniques are new as well: for example, they use the then new Nitrolac metallic paints. Behind its beauty, this Talbot Lago T150 hides the fact that it is a pure racer. Under the hood sits a four liter six cylinder engine producing 160 hp. One of these water droplets drives to third place at Le Mans in 1938, behind two Delahayes. This particular Talbot Lago T150 was owned by Mrs Robin Byng, Countess of Strafford, who used the car in pre war France. After the war the Talbot Lago T150 was sold to gentleman driver Rob Walker, who even used it as a practice car for Le Mans in 1949. Figoni & Falaschi is a partnership between two Italians who emigrated to France, designer Joseph (Giuseppe) Figoni and businessman Ovidio Falaschi. They started their company in 1935, but the success was short lived. After the war there was no longer any demand for special coachwork, and the self supporting body was also on the rise. Figoni and Falaschi went their separate ways; the latter returned to Italy and Joseph Figoni went on to run an ordinary garage. Sixteen examples of their masterpiece, the goutte deau, were built. Each of these cars is different because it was made to specific wishes.