“In excess of $10 million.” That’s the only pre-auction estimated value that Gooding & Company presents for the undisputed queen of its Amelia Island auction: an absolutely stunning 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe.
Widely considered to be among the most-beautiful automobiles ever created, the streamlined coupe created by Talbot-Lago company owner Anthony Lago and acclaimed designer Joseph Figoni is the only collector vehicle offered thus far at auction during the northeast Florida car week that is expected to sell in the very exclusive, eye-watering territory of 8 figures.
This Teardrop Coupe was lavishly restored and shortly after, it won a First in Class at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, followed by a string of Best of Show awards, including at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
“Without question, the most spectacular T150-C-SS examples were those bodied by Figoni et Falaschi,” Gooding says in its catalog description. “Of all of Joseph Figoni’s splendid designs throughout the span of his influential career, his undisputed masterpiece was his aerodynamic coupe for Talbot-Lago, which is now universally known as the Teardrop.”
Previously a longtime part of the Nethercutt Collection, which commissioned its restoration, this Teardrop Coupe is not only among just a handful built but one of only two produced with all four wheels fully covered.
“Figoni et Falaschi built only about 10 Style 9220 Teardrop Coupes on Talbot-Lago’s ultimate T150-C-SS chassis,” the catalog notes. “The Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS presented here, chassis 90107, is widely regarded as the most beautiful and unique of the Figoni-bodied Teardrops, based on the most extreme variation of the design featuring all-aluminum coachwork with fully enveloping, skirted front fenders.
“Only two bodies with this unique feature were produced, and today, 90107 is the sole surviving example with its original body intact.”
David Gooding, the founder and president of the auction company, noted that the auctioning of the Talbot-Lago Teardrop Coupe will be a historic moment in itself.
“The sheer enduring beauty and influence of the Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe is utterly incomparable,” Gooding said. “This masterpiece will undoubtedly sell to one of the world’s greatest connoisseurs of automotive design.”
And more than likely, one of the wealthiest.
The Gooding auction will be held March 4 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. For more information, visit the Gooding website.
