Talbot-Lago
T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé "New York" style by Figoni et Falaschi

Why it matters

The Figoni et Falaschi 'Goutte d'Eau' (teardrop) coupés on the Talbot-Lago T150-C SS are among the most celebrated French coachbuilt designs of the 1930s. The 'New York' style, launched at the 1937 New York show with a simpler fastback tail, accounts for 11 of at least 16 teardrop coupés.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Anthony Lago's revived Talbot range was engineered by Walter Becchia with Vincenzo Bertarione, and the short-chassis T150-C SS used a 4-litre six with a Wilson preselector gearbox and independent front suspension. Giuseppe Figoni's teardrop coupé was unveiled at the 1937 Paris Motor Show; after five notch-backed 'Jeancart' cars, a second series with a fastback tail was launched at the New York Auto Show. Eleven New York-style cars were built, ten on the 104-inch T150-C SS frame and one on the 116-inch T23 chassis.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

New York-style cars have a simpler fastback tail, unlike the notch-backed profile of the five Jeancart coupés. Ten of the eleven sit on the 104-inch T150-C SS frame and one on the 116-inch T23 chassis. Shared Figoni features include a steeply raked windscreen, sculpted wings and oval side windows.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   RM Sotheby's Monterey 2026, lot R0026, 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi (chassis 90117) Level B

   • 11 New York-style Teardrop coupés (10 on T150-C SS short chassis, 1 on T23); 'no less than 16' teardrop coupés in all

   Accessed 2026-11-11
2. 2
   1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi Level B RM Sotheby's

   • six-cylinder T150-C engine
   • the newly enlarged 4-liter engine
   • a 140-horsepower version of the T150-C engine
   • Wilson pre-selector gearbox
   • a wheelbase of 104 inches

   Accessed 2026-11-12