Car of the Week #16 answer

1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni et Falaschi Coupé

Congratulations to Scott Hoare, who was the first Concours of Elegance Facebook fan to correctly identify our second mystery car as the spectacular teardrop Figoni et Falaschi-bodied Talbot-Lago T150C-SS coupe of 1938.

Well done Scott. Please contact us to receive your prize of a pair of entry tickets to next month’s 2014 Concours of Elegance, where you will be able to admire this voluptuous Talbot-Lago, along with many other exceptional motors cars, in the metal at Hampton Court Palace.

This Talbot-Lago’s signature Figoni et Falaschi teardrop shape, known as ‘Goutte d’Eau’ in its native France, adorned a handful of the finest French grande routier chassis, the first appearing in 1935 on a Delahaye 135 platform.

Of all the grand cars available in the art deco era, Talbot-Lago’s T150C was the most popular base to transform into jaw-dropping rolling sculpture, with many bodied by Parisian coachbuilders Figoni et Falaschi as the ultimate expression of this streamlined form.

The lightweight T150C chassis was derived from Talbot-Lago’s successful competition platform, with the C in the model’s nomenclature denoting Competition, and winning important races as far a field as Tunisia, Montlhèry, and the British Tourist Trophy. The SS suffix marks the T150’s chassis out as the more sporting short-wheelbase model.

By successfully combining racing performance and functionality with such an elegant form, Figoni et Falaschi’s teardrop Talbot-Lagos became the trend setting streamlined ‘supercars’ of the late 1930s.  Today, they are among the most highly sought of any motor car, irrespective of marque or era.  See why for yourself at Hampton Court Palace from 6-7 September.