The only existing example of the pre-war model would expectedly be valuable but the $13.4M Talbot-Lago became the most valuable French car ever sold at auction after the hammer ceased proceedings earlier this month.
The Gooding and Company auction at Amelia Island brought aficionados with deep pockets from all over the world to place their bid on priceless automobiles however the now defunct Talbot-Lago model made headlines after the final hammer price of $13,425,000 made it a record for the marquee and the most valuable French car sold at auction.
The T150-C-SS chassis, number 90107 had between 10 -20 Teardrop Coupes designed for either the notchback Coupé Jeancart or the fastback Modéle New York. The latter of which only had two built in it all aluminium construction with the auction model here being the only surviving example with its bodywork intact.
It has experienced a colourful 85 year history with exterior aesthetic changing multiple times. The first occasion saw the factory blue and grey model changed to cream with red fenders for 1938’s Concours d’Elegance Fémina which is how it existed until it was sold in America and repainted dark red. After sitting in a California garage for almost half a century the model was restored and had its rebirth at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
It also achieved awards at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, earning Best of Show and a First in Class trophy in Pebble Beach. Something which is worth adding a few zeros to a price tag for an exclusive auction.
The $13.4M Talbot-Lago with its teardrop design is an early automotive interpretation of improving drag coefficient which made the 104 kW 4.0-liter inline-six engine work easier at piercing the all-aluminium model through the air.
