Talbo Lago T150
1939 Talbot T150-C 2.95m long chassis in 3-seater version
Chassis number: 90049
The car of superlatives
Rival of the Bugatti Type 57 or Delahaye 135, the Talbot Lago T150-C has a pure line of great finesse which makes it one of the most beautiful cars in the world, considered today as one of the jewels of 1930s French coachwork
Added to this its rarity, with less than 25 models released and only 17 featuring the so-called Figoni & Falaschi “Goutte d’Eau” bodywork. Two distinct models were styled by Figoni and Falaschi. The first is the Jeancart coupe, named after its first purchaser, all exhibited a notch-backed profile, while the second model first shown in 1937 at the New York Auto Show, featuring a fastback design was named New York Model .
The Goutte d’Eau, or Teardrop, is rightly recognized as one of the most beautiful and attractive designs of all time in the automotive world. Its design brings the vehicle into the realm of art and has become a world reference in automotive art.
A unique and exceptional piece of art
This Talbot Lago T150-C has unique properties that make it exceptional.
One of its particularities lies in its chassis, number 90049 : it is the only remaining example of the Talbot T150 C bodied by Figoni and Falaschi, with a 2.95 m chassis and a spare third seat. The other copy of this exceptional car though to have disappeared during World War II.
This lengthening of the chassis, the fruit of the famous coachbuilders‘ lengthy thoughts, gives it an even more harmonious line than the other models built before 1939, with much more balanced and elegant proportions.
Another striking fact about this car: it was probably the last to leave the Talbot factory before it was destroyed at the start of the war.
Finally, its 100% French history contributes to its originality and unique character.
A French story
The car is probably the last output from the Talbot factory before its destruction during the war.
Its first owner, Mr. Vaccalut, was a wealthy industrialist based in Lyon who specialized in high-quality velvets, ‘La Velouterie’, supplying the greatest Parisian haute couture houses.
During his business trips to Paris, Mr. Vaccalut met the future owner of the Talbot T150C, Mr. Kutchukian.
The car then receives the registration 7649 EF 75.
As Mr. Kutchukian owning a property in Brittany, he registered the car under the number 950 DC 35 where it was stored from 1957 to 1985 and suffered all the damage over time.
The car was bought by a Citroën concessionaire residing in Rhône Alpes, under the registration number 950 DCJ 38.
Given the magnitude of the task, he gave up his restoration project and stored the vehicle until buyout in 2019.
Mr. Ponsot, architect and French businessman, bought all the original parts and mobilized a team of passionate professionals to restore the vehicle to its former glory.
A goldsmith piece of work
By acquiring this exceptional car entirely in spare parts, Mr. Ponsot embarked on a rare restoration project aimed at bringing this magnificent work of art back to life.
Registration document, engine, gearbox, manufacturer’s plates, bridge, running gear, chassis and accessories are original, which gives this car an inestimable rarity. Only the body has been rebuilt due to its deteriorated state.
Nearly thirty six months of meticulous restorations, supervised by l’Atelier Baron-Sellier in the person of M. Jean-Baptiste Gawrieh, installed in the Henri Malatre Automotive Museum of Rochetaillée-sur –Saône, and accompanied by passionate craftsmen, were necessary to restore the automobile to its former splendor, all while respecting materials and manufacturing techniques in use at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture.
Outsanding features
Talbot Lago-Special 1939 Chassis
Chassis lenght: 2950 mm
Bodywork total lenght: 4950 mm
Width : 1750 mm
Height: 1650 mm
Tare Weight : 1650 kg
Figoni & Falaschi body
Steel body
Aluminium Ouvrants
Motor
Cast-iron 6-cylinder motorblock 4 liters (140/160 Cv) 3988 cm3
longitudinally-mounted engine
Hemispherical cylinder heads in aluminium
Domed head pistons
3 Zenith-Stromberg EX 32 carburetors
4 gears Wilson Type pre-selector Talbot gearbox
Wheels
Rudge spoked and round edges wheels fitted in 17 inches
5.25/5×50-17 tires
Dampers
Houdaille type front and back leaf spring