1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS 'Goutte d'Eau' Teardrop Coupé (Figoni et Falaschi, New York series)
- Engine
- 4.0L inline-six with hemispherical combustion chambers and three carburetors, ~140 bhp
- Colour
- Deep aubergine
Chassis 90117 is the sole Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupé built specifically for motorsport, one of eleven 'New York'-series Goutte d'Eau bodies constructed by Figoni et Falaschi between 1937 and 1939. Originally commissioned by French nobleman Philippe Régnier de Massa with competition-specific features including a lowered and lengthened body, long-range fuel tank, and reinforced engine bay, the car contested the 1939 Le Mans 24 Hours before wartime confiscation disrupted its history. Recovered in derelict, engineless condition near Berlin after the war, it passed through several owners before a comprehensive six-year restoration was completed in the early 2000s.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$7,265,000
- 1989 → 1995Acquisition unknownPeter Schmitzpartial documentation
Western German owner who purchased the car following the fall of the Berlin Wall and began a long-overdue restoration, selling it before the work was completed.
- 1995 → 1996Private saleAutomuseum Deventerpartial documentation
Museum located in Joure, Netherlands; acquired the car in an unrestored state and held it for approximately one year before selling it on.
- 1996 →Private saleGeorg Lingenbrinkpartial documentation
San Diego, California resident who undertook a comprehensive six-year restoration, finishing the car in deep aubergine with tan pigskin leather and tan cloth trim.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryPhilippe Régnier de Massapartial documentation
Original commissioner of the car, a member of French nobility; ordered the vehicle with numerous competition-oriented modifications. Retained it through the outbreak of war until the car was reportedly seized by German forces around 1942.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHerr A. Beckerpartial documentation
Resident of Rangsdorf near Berlin; acquired the car in a deteriorated, engineless condition sometime after the end of the Second World War.
Competition
- 19391939 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Philippe Régnier de MassaDNF — lap 88
Car officially entered under T.A.S.O. Mathieson's name; de Massa co-drove with Norbert-Jean Mahé. The pair were running in 9th position before retirement, attributed to either a broken valve spring or a regulatory infringement.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989Restoration
Restoration of the car was initiated by Peter Schmitz following acquisition after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but the work was not completed before the car changed hands in 1995.
Car was sold in an unfinished state to Automuseum Deventer in 1995.
- 1996Restoration
A thorough six-year restoration was undertaken, completing the unfinished work; the car was refinished in deep aubergine with contrasting tan pigskin leather and tan cloth interior trim.
Restoration was commissioned and overseen by Georg Lingenbrink of San Diego.
- —Mechanical
A period-correct Talbot-Lago engine was sourced in the United Kingdom and installed in the car, which had been separated from its original engine at some earlier point.
Research on file documents the location and fitment of the replacement engine.
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