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Of the few cars described as rolling sculpture, the Talbot-Lago Teardrop by Figoni et Falaschi is the oldest and most frequently praised as such. During its era, the teardrop, also known as the 'Goutte d'Eau', was one of the select few automobiles that both redefined automotive style and won top-level races. Having successfully combined racing function and elegant form, the Teardrop became trend setting and motivated many other French manufacturers to consider more streamlined design.

While all of the French coach builders contributed to the styling 'renaissance' of the thirties, none did so quite much as Italian-born Giuseppe Figoni. He teamed with businessman Ovidio Falaschi to create one of the most prolific and successful French design companies: Figoni et Falaschi.

The Teardrop was Figoni et Falaschi's most coveted work. It was, in a sense, a revolt against the more functional cars from the twenties. Here was a design devoid of any straight lines, one decorated with sensual curves which advertised speed without even moving. This style was emphasized by the diminishing pontoon fenders, called 'enveloppantes' by Figoni, and a converging rear end that could be called a fastback.

Figoni's flowing designs were first seen in 1935 and on the Delahaye 135 chassis. These were a direct response to the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier launched a year earlier at the 1934 Frankfurt Motor Show. By 1937, the Talbot Teardrop became the ultimate expression of this streamlined era and made its seminal mark in Paris as well as the 1937 New York Auto Show. The teardrop was built in one of two different designs and on varied chassis sizes. The first, called 'Jeancart', body was named after its first owner and was built on the larger chassis, featuring a notchback rear end with twin cat-eye windows. In 1937, Figoni debuted the 'New York Style' which was a smaller, lighter and more powerful car.

T150C Chassis & Racing

With its independent front suspension, lightweight construction, excellent braking and low ride height the T150C chassis was focused on competition. It also benefited from Talbot's rich heritage in motor sport and included engineering similar to the Talbot which won the 1937 French Grand Prix. The definitive version of the T150 was the shortened and lighter SS chassis which the New York Style Teardrops were built upon.

Before creating his vision of a supercar, engineer Antonio Franco Lago traveled to England in the 1920s. There, he eventually found investors willing to offer the capital needed to purchase his needed licenses. The first of these was a Wilson pre-selector gearbox which was complex, but allowed the driver to select the next gear in advance and then simply dab the clutch. Armed with this transmission and a suspension design from Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq Antonio moved back to France on a mission.

Working with engineer Walter Brecchia, Lago turned the Talbot T120 into the Talbot-Lago T150. The transformation included a new cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers and the Wilson gearbox. Immediately the sporting pedegree of the T150 was apparent and a 3-liter car contested LeMans in 1935 but retired. The following year the engine was increased to four litres to match 1936 regulations. Unfortunately, the larger car didn't achieve any sales success or race success.

In 1937 Lago announced the T150C, a lightweight variant of the old chassis that stood for course or competition. These won the Tunisia, Montlhèry race as well as the British Tourist Trophy. Later in the year, Talbot released his road-going versions. The first of these was named SS after the American term Super Sport. They had a short wheelbase of 2.65m. A longer 2.95m variant was offered called Lago Speciale and was generally meant for more luxurious bodies. By 1937, Figoni et Falaschi had struck a deal with Talbot-Lago to create teardrop bodies for both versions of their chassis.

The first Teardrop was shown in August of 1937 at the Paris-Nice Criterium de Tourism. Featuring the 4-litre engine and shortened version of the competition chassis the completed car was good for 100 mph.

Remarkably, one showroom stock Teardrop raced and placed third overall at the 1938 24 Hours of LeMans. The following year 90117, a specially prepared T150C SS featuring aluminum bodywork, an outside fuel filler and other special components, raced under Luigi Chinetti, but retired on the 88th lap. These Lemans cars were followed up by a another car won its class at the 1948 24 Hours of SPA. During these races, the Talbots faced stiff competition from Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.

Important Examples and Sales.

When sold, the Teardrop was one of the most expensive cars available, thus only sixteen were completed. Each was constructed to suit the individual preferences of their first owner. While all cars share the same signature fenders, raked windshield and sloping fastback, each had distinct details such as split windscreens, optional sunroofs, louvers, chrome accents and fender skirts. Many were built for wealthy clientèle who ordered unique colors and textures to capture attention at a prestigious Concours D'elegance.

In the modern world, a genuine Figoni Teardrop is an amazing sight. With a design that embodies elegant form and successful race engineering, these cars still satisfy the demanding needs of the Concours they were intended for seventy years ago. As such, the Teardrop justly deserves its multi-million dollar price tag and is matched only by the legendary Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B.

Only 16 recorded Teardrops have been documented from Figoni et Falaschi. 11 of these were built on the smaller SS chassis, while five more were fashioned on the longer and more luxurious Speciale or S chassis.

90105 - This red teardrop remains in largely original condition, with its original running gear and interior bits. Like all New York Style Teardrops, both sides of the split windshield wind-out for cockpit ventilation. 90105 was originally French Blue and built on the short SS-type chassis. At Chrisites 2005 Monterey Jet Center Auction, this teardrop sold for $3 535 000 plus commission.

90107 - This Teardorp is unique with its fully skirted front & rear wheel wells. The first owner of the car was Maharani of Kapurthala who gifted 90107 to the fourth wife of Paramjit Singh, Maharajah of India. The car often changed in color and upholstery to complement Stella Mudge's gowns at varous Concours d'Elegance events before she sold it for personal gain. It then ended up with Tommy Lee who was timed at 115 mph at the Muroc dry lake and raced it infrequently. Then, after a thrity year storage with the Locke familty, it was donated to the Nethercutt Collection. They restored 90107 to its original configuration and made a debut at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won Best in Class.

90109 - This car was initially bought by Mrs Robin Byng and her husband at the 1938 Paris Salon. After the war the car was missing it's wheels and interior and it was restored in the UK. It was then sold to racecar driver Rob Walker updated it by fitting Lockheed brakes, a Cotal Preselector and 5.25 by 17 inch wheels to cure the heavy steering. Walker said the car could maintain 70 mph with easeand the factory quoted him a top speed of 112 mph. he also used this as a practice car for his famous Delahaye 135 in the first postwar Le Mans 24-hour race. Later it was sold to America and ended up as part of the Blackhawk collection in 1992 before ending up in the Rosso Bianco collection. It was offered for sale at Bonahm's upcoming Sale of Collectors' Motorcars on 18 Aug 2006 at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, but failed to meet the reserve price.

90117 - Sold new to Duke de Massa, this deep aubergine T150 SS was ordered with special features to run the 1939 24 Hours of LeMans including an alloy body, outside fuel filler, larger fuel tank, hinged rear window, lower chassis and bucket-like front seat. It was raced by René Le Begue and Pierre Levegh for Luigi Chinetti. During the race, 90117 was running in ninth position before spinning out and ending its race. Since then, the car has undergone a complete restoration and was recently sold at the 2006 David Gooding Palm Springs auction for 3.55 million USD plus commission.

90034 - Built on the longer 2.95-meter Talbot-Lago T150C 'Lago Speciale' chassis, 90034 is bodied in the Jeancart style which includes rounded rear windows, a notchback back design and huge front headlamps. Because of its larger chassis, this Teardrop has increased luggage space and two rear jump seats as well as 286 lbs (160 kg) more bulk . It was initially bought by Antoine Schumann for 165,000 French Francs and painted dark blue. After the war, it was then sold to Freddy Damma who placed first in class at the 1948 SPA -Francorchamps race. After runing through several more owners, and visiting Mexico. the car was sold as the centrepeice of the 2005 RM Sports Car Auction for $3 685 000 USD plus commission.

Story by Richard Owen, edited by J$