During the upcoming Monterey events, two rare and breathtaking Figoni Teardrops will come up for Auction by both Chrisites and RM.
Nearly seventy year's old, these dramatic Teardrops were built on Talbot-Lagos finest chassis and represented the pinnacle of French motoring. As such, both cars are expected to fetch upwards of three million USD.
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 coachbuilders to make similar streamlined designs.
While all of the French coachbuilders contributed to the styling 'renaissance' of the thirties, none did so quite much as Joseph 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.
By 1937, Figoni et Falaschi had struck an exclusive deal with Talbot-Lago to create bodies for their finest chassis, the T150C. With its independent suspension, lightweight construction and excellent braking, this 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.
As bodied by Figoni et Falaschi, T150Cs placed third at the 24 Hours of LeMans and won their class at the 1948 24 Hours of SPA. During these races, the Talbots faced the stiff competition from Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.
When sold, the Teardrop was one of the most expensive cars available, thus only sixteen coupes were completed. Each was constructed to suit the individual preferences of their first owner. In detail, Figoni Coupes had distinct details such as split windscreens, optional sunroofs, louvers, chrome accents and fender skirts. Some of these cars were built for wealthy clientele 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 2900.
