Cars 1938-39
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Cars 1930s Alfa Romeo Bugatti French cars
Chronology : 1939
See also : Cars 1930s Alfa Romeo Bugatti French cars
Chronology : 1939
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Superleggera
At the time of totalitarianism, motor racing became a major showcase of high-tech know-how. To compete with the Silver Arrows, Alfa Romeo develops a stiffened chassis and an independent suspension with which it equips the Tipo C for the grand prix and the 6C 2300 B for grand touring.
Under the direct control of the Italian government, Alfa Romeo improves the performance of its luxury and sports cars throughout the 1930s by the skill of the engineer Vittorio Jano. The 6-cylinder version (6C) grows in several stages from 1750 to 2500 cc. Aimed at the high end, the 8-cylinder version (8C) is created in 1931 with 2300 cc. Introduced in 1935 the 8C 2900 A targets the endurance racing.
The grand touring model 8C 2900 B is available with a straight 8 engine in two wheel bases from 1937 : Corto and Lungo, 2.80 m and 3 m respectively. It was the fastest commercial car of its time. A racing version averaged 210 km/h over a 80 km section of autostrada.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900 B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4.1M by Christie's on August 28, 1999.
In Milan also, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 its Superleggera technology : after advanced aerodynamic studies, this company offers all-metal bodies, a novelty at that time. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that will enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the heavy Mercedes-Benz 540K.
In 1937 Touring develops two bodies for the new 8C 2900 B : a spider for the short chassis and a berlinetta for the long chassis. The closed cockpit allows a body made entirely of aluminum unlike the spider which requires reinforcements in steel. For this reason the spider is heavier than the coupe. It will also be built for the long chassis.
The war interrupted this activity. Indeed in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war : the open spider from as early as 1931, and the closed berlinetta.
Under the direct control of the Italian government, Alfa Romeo improves the performance of its luxury and sports cars throughout the 1930s by the skill of the engineer Vittorio Jano. The 6-cylinder version (6C) grows in several stages from 1750 to 2500 cc. Aimed at the high end, the 8-cylinder version (8C) is created in 1931 with 2300 cc. Introduced in 1935 the 8C 2900 A targets the endurance racing.
The grand touring model 8C 2900 B is available with a straight 8 engine in two wheel bases from 1937 : Corto and Lungo, 2.80 m and 3 m respectively. It was the fastest commercial car of its time. A racing version averaged 210 km/h over a 80 km section of autostrada.
Alfa Romeo has special relationships with two body shops that offer dissimilar products. A 8C 2900 B assembled by Pinin Farina in cabriolet was sold for $ 4.1M by Christie's on August 28, 1999.
In Milan also, Carrozzeria Touring patented in 1936 its Superleggera technology : after advanced aerodynamic studies, this company offers all-metal bodies, a novelty at that time. Alfa Romeo actively supports this development that will enable its Lungo variant to compete advantageously with the heavy Mercedes-Benz 540K.
In 1937 Touring develops two bodies for the new 8C 2900 B : a spider for the short chassis and a berlinetta for the long chassis. The closed cockpit allows a body made entirely of aluminum unlike the spider which requires reinforcements in steel. For this reason the spider is heavier than the coupe. It will also be built for the long chassis.
The war interrupted this activity. Indeed in 1939 Alfa Romeo is already offering the features that will make the success of sports cars after the war : the open spider from as early as 1931, and the closed berlinetta.
1938 berlinetta
2019 SOLD for € 16.7M by Artcurial
The total population of 8C 2900 B Touring berlinettas is five units. The second, built in 1938, is titled 1939, the date of its registration in the United Kingdom. It was used sparingly except for a brief period in the 1950s and was carefully maintained by its successive owners without ever being disassembled.
Remaining since 1976 in a single collection, it was sold for € 16.7M by Artcurial on February 8, 2019, lot 20. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Two other 8C 2900 B berlinettas by Touring were awarded the highly prestigious Best Of Show of Pebble Beach's Concours d'Elegance, in 2008 and 2018 respectively.
Remaining since 1976 in a single collection, it was sold for € 16.7M by Artcurial on February 8, 2019, lot 20. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Two other 8C 2900 B berlinettas by Touring were awarded the highly prestigious Best Of Show of Pebble Beach's Concours d'Elegance, in 2008 and 2018 respectively.
1938 Lungo spider
2024 SOLD for $ 14M by Gooding
Eight 8C 2900 B Lungo were bodied as spiders by Touring. Five of them are known to survive.
One of them made in 1938 had been awarded the Best of Show at the 1996 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este after a complete restoration. The engine had been rebuilt in the 1960s.
In 2022 the car with its truck and trailer was stolen in the USA while on its way to be restored. The FBI recovered it largely intact. It was sold for $ 14M by Gooding on August 16, 2024, lot 29. It is illustrated by the auction house in a specific pre sale press release.
One of them made in 1938 had been awarded the Best of Show at the 1996 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este after a complete restoration. The engine had been rebuilt in the 1960s.
In 2022 the car with its truck and trailer was stolen in the USA while on its way to be restored. The FBI recovered it largely intact. It was sold for $ 14M by Gooding on August 16, 2024, lot 29. It is illustrated by the auction house in a specific pre sale press release.
1939 Lungo spider ex Mann
2016 SOLD for $ 19.8M by RM Sotheby's
On August 20, 2016, RM Sotheby's sold as lot 234 for $ 19.8M the culmination of this evolution : an 8C 2900 B Lungo bodied in spider superleggera by Touring.
The authenticity of this car is the result of patient and painstaking work by the best specialists of the brand. The oldest traces of its eventful existence date back to the early 1950s in South America. As often, this car had been dismantled by owners seeking the best combination for their cars in competition.
In 1994, convinced that chassis 412041 and body 2027 may come from the same original car, the collector Sam Mann, passionate about automotive engineering, acquires both. The reassembly proves him right : the positions of the bolt holes are consistent, resulting from the work done by Touring workmen around 1939. Despite the extreme rarity of this model, Mann was able to complete this work by assembling an engine and a fuel pump from the original 8C 2900 B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's and another video shared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.
The authenticity of this car is the result of patient and painstaking work by the best specialists of the brand. The oldest traces of its eventful existence date back to the early 1950s in South America. As often, this car had been dismantled by owners seeking the best combination for their cars in competition.
In 1994, convinced that chassis 412041 and body 2027 may come from the same original car, the collector Sam Mann, passionate about automotive engineering, acquires both. The reassembly proves him right : the positions of the bolt holes are consistent, resulting from the work done by Touring workmen around 1939. Despite the extreme rarity of this model, Mann was able to complete this work by assembling an engine and a fuel pump from the original 8C 2900 B series.
Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's and another video shared by RM introducing five vehicles from the Mann collection.
1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goutte d'Eau
Coupe
2026 SOLD for € 6.8M by Gooding Christie's
Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Coupe Goutte d'eau. Compare 3 cars : 90107 (sold by Gooding on March 4, 2022, lot 54, to be used as the reference) ; 90112 (sold for € 6.8M by Gooding Christie's at Rétromobile on January 29, 2026, lot 35 ) ; 90117 (sold by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 243).
Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe (Goutte d'Eau)
The Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe, often called "Goutte d'Eau" (French for teardrop), is an iconic pre-war French automobile designed by Antonio Lago and bodied by the renowned coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi. Introduced in the late 1930s, it exemplifies Art Deco styling with aerodynamic, teardrop-shaped lines, fully enclosed fenders, and a fastback profile. Only about 11-16 examples were produced, primarily in the "New York" style (named after its debut at the 1937 New York Auto Show), making them among the rarest and most valuable classics. All three cars compared here—chassis 90107 (reference), 90112, and 90117—are high-performance variants with a 4-liter inline-6 engine producing 140 hp, a 4-speed Wilson preselector gearbox, independent front suspension, and 4-wheel drum brakes. They share racing-derived chassis but differ in provenance, features, and market history. Below is a comparison of the three specified examples, using chassis 90107 as the reference.
Aspect90107 (Reference)9011290117
Model Year
90107 : 1937 (titled as 1939)
90112 : 1938
90117 : 1938
Engine
90107 : No. 85021; 3,996 cc OHV inline-6, 3 Zenith-Stromberg carbs, 140 hp at 4,100 rpm
90112 : 3,996 cc OHV inline-6, 3 Stromberg carbs, 140 hp at 4,100 rpm (engine number not specified)
90117 : 4-liter OHV inline-6, 3 Zenith-Stromberg carbs, 140 hp (correct-type replacement fitted during restoration)
Bodywork
90107 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" Teardrop Coupe; all-alloy with fully enclosed front fenders
90112 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" fastback Teardrop Coupe; original color Noir Iris (Iris Black)
90117 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" Teardrop Coupe; 2 inches lower and 4 inches longer than standard, with deep aubergine exterior
Unique Features
90107 : High-performance T150-C-SS chassis; original all-alloy Modèle New York coachwork
90112 : Race-derived chassis with underslung rear axle, Rudge wheels, single-shot lubrication, 120L fuel tank; one of 10-12 Teardrops
90117 : Sole Teardrop built for racing; opening rear window, heart-shaped sunroof, additional driving lights, 250 kph speedometer, semi-bucket driver's seat, long-range fuel tank, external filler cap; includes separate racing hood
History Highlights
90107 : Won Prix d’Excellence at 1938 Concours d’Elegance Fémina in Paris; part of notable collections; First in Class at Pebble Beach, Best of Show at Amelia Island
90112 : Displayed at 1939 Brussels Concours, Paris Concours d’Elegance de l’Auto (grand prize winner), and Deauville; vanished during WWII, resurfaced in 1946; stored disassembled for decades
90117 : Competed in 1939 Le Mans 24 Hours (9th before retirement); confiscated in WWII, dormant in East Germany until 1989; Pebble Beach appearance in 2007
Provenance
90107 : Formerly in Tommy Lee, Lindley Locke, and Nethercutt Collections
90112 : First owner M. Toussaint (Belgium); later Stéphane Falise (1961-2005), private American (2005), private Swiss collection (2013-present)
90117 : Commissioned by Philippe Régnier de Massa; post-war owners incl. Herr A. Becker, Peter Schmitz, Automuseum Deventer, Georg Lingenbrink (1996-2006), Oscar Davis Collection (2006 onward)
Restorations/Condition
90107 : Extraordinary example; condition not detailed beyond awards and preservation
90112 : Restored by RM Auto Restoration (ca. 2009); original wood frame stabilized, sheet metal preserved, chassis refinished; concours condition in silver/gray
90117 : Six-year restoration under Lingenbrink (completed ca. 2002); additional $100K work in 2006-2007; immaculate with tan pigskin leather and cloth interior
Auction Details
90107 : Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, March 4, 2022, Lot 54; est. >$10M; sold $13,425,000
90112 : Gooding Christie's, Rétromobile Paris, January 29, 2026, Lot 35; est. €6,500,000-€7,500,000, sold € 6.8M
90117 : RM Sotheby's, Monterey, August 19, 2022, Lot 243; est. $9M-$11M; sold $7,265,000
Chassis 90107 stands out for its record-breaking sale price and concours pedigree, reflecting its status as one of the most pristine and historically significant examples.
Chassis 90112, with its wartime mystery and recent restoration, offers a blend of originality and rarity, potentially appealing to European collectors at the upcoming auction. Chassis 90117 is unique for its racing intent and Le Mans participation, though its lower sale price may reflect a more varied post-war history and replacement engine.
These values highlight the model's appreciation, driven by scarcity and aesthetic appeal.
Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe (Goutte d'Eau)
The Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe, often called "Goutte d'Eau" (French for teardrop), is an iconic pre-war French automobile designed by Antonio Lago and bodied by the renowned coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi. Introduced in the late 1930s, it exemplifies Art Deco styling with aerodynamic, teardrop-shaped lines, fully enclosed fenders, and a fastback profile. Only about 11-16 examples were produced, primarily in the "New York" style (named after its debut at the 1937 New York Auto Show), making them among the rarest and most valuable classics. All three cars compared here—chassis 90107 (reference), 90112, and 90117—are high-performance variants with a 4-liter inline-6 engine producing 140 hp, a 4-speed Wilson preselector gearbox, independent front suspension, and 4-wheel drum brakes. They share racing-derived chassis but differ in provenance, features, and market history. Below is a comparison of the three specified examples, using chassis 90107 as the reference.
Aspect90107 (Reference)9011290117
Model Year
90107 : 1937 (titled as 1939)
90112 : 1938
90117 : 1938
Engine
90107 : No. 85021; 3,996 cc OHV inline-6, 3 Zenith-Stromberg carbs, 140 hp at 4,100 rpm
90112 : 3,996 cc OHV inline-6, 3 Stromberg carbs, 140 hp at 4,100 rpm (engine number not specified)
90117 : 4-liter OHV inline-6, 3 Zenith-Stromberg carbs, 140 hp (correct-type replacement fitted during restoration)
Bodywork
90107 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" Teardrop Coupe; all-alloy with fully enclosed front fenders
90112 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" fastback Teardrop Coupe; original color Noir Iris (Iris Black)
90117 : Figoni et Falaschi "New York" Teardrop Coupe; 2 inches lower and 4 inches longer than standard, with deep aubergine exterior
Unique Features
90107 : High-performance T150-C-SS chassis; original all-alloy Modèle New York coachwork
90112 : Race-derived chassis with underslung rear axle, Rudge wheels, single-shot lubrication, 120L fuel tank; one of 10-12 Teardrops
90117 : Sole Teardrop built for racing; opening rear window, heart-shaped sunroof, additional driving lights, 250 kph speedometer, semi-bucket driver's seat, long-range fuel tank, external filler cap; includes separate racing hood
History Highlights
90107 : Won Prix d’Excellence at 1938 Concours d’Elegance Fémina in Paris; part of notable collections; First in Class at Pebble Beach, Best of Show at Amelia Island
90112 : Displayed at 1939 Brussels Concours, Paris Concours d’Elegance de l’Auto (grand prize winner), and Deauville; vanished during WWII, resurfaced in 1946; stored disassembled for decades
90117 : Competed in 1939 Le Mans 24 Hours (9th before retirement); confiscated in WWII, dormant in East Germany until 1989; Pebble Beach appearance in 2007
Provenance
90107 : Formerly in Tommy Lee, Lindley Locke, and Nethercutt Collections
90112 : First owner M. Toussaint (Belgium); later Stéphane Falise (1961-2005), private American (2005), private Swiss collection (2013-present)
90117 : Commissioned by Philippe Régnier de Massa; post-war owners incl. Herr A. Becker, Peter Schmitz, Automuseum Deventer, Georg Lingenbrink (1996-2006), Oscar Davis Collection (2006 onward)
Restorations/Condition
90107 : Extraordinary example; condition not detailed beyond awards and preservation
90112 : Restored by RM Auto Restoration (ca. 2009); original wood frame stabilized, sheet metal preserved, chassis refinished; concours condition in silver/gray
90117 : Six-year restoration under Lingenbrink (completed ca. 2002); additional $100K work in 2006-2007; immaculate with tan pigskin leather and cloth interior
Auction Details
90107 : Gooding & Company, Amelia Island, March 4, 2022, Lot 54; est. >$10M; sold $13,425,000
90112 : Gooding Christie's, Rétromobile Paris, January 29, 2026, Lot 35; est. €6,500,000-€7,500,000, sold € 6.8M
90117 : RM Sotheby's, Monterey, August 19, 2022, Lot 243; est. $9M-$11M; sold $7,265,000
Chassis 90107 stands out for its record-breaking sale price and concours pedigree, reflecting its status as one of the most pristine and historically significant examples.
Chassis 90112, with its wartime mystery and recent restoration, offers a blend of originality and rarity, potentially appealing to European collectors at the upcoming auction. Chassis 90117 is unique for its racing intent and Le Mans participation, though its lower sale price may reflect a more varied post-war history and replacement engine.
These values highlight the model's appreciation, driven by scarcity and aesthetic appeal.
Coupe
2022 SOLD for $ 7.3M by RM Sotheby's
The second batch of the teardrop coupe (Goutte d’Eau), unofficially known as the “New York” style, was fitted by Figoni et Falaschi in 1937–1938 on eleven Talbot-Lago chassis overall: ten T150-C SS short-chassis (104-inch wheelbase) examples and one longer T23. Its Art Deco lines were purer and more streamlined than those of the original batch of five “Jeancart”-style cars (named after the first buyer), which featured a notchback profile; the New York cars adopted a cleaner fastback tail and were launched at the 1937 New York Auto Show.
These bodies represented the height of Figoni et Falaschi’s collaboration with Anthony Lago. After assuming control of the struggling Talbot concern, Lago had the 4-liter six-cylinder engine developed (with hemispherical combustion chambers and three Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, producing around 140 hp in road form) and paired it with the competition-oriented T150-C “Corse” chassis, featuring independent front suspension, an underslung live rear axle, and a Wilson pre-selector gearbox. Figoni’s coachwork—steeply raked windscreens, sculpted fenders, and oval windows—turned the package into one of the most celebrated expressions of pre-war French coachbuilding, often called a masterpiece of the “French Curve.”
Chassis 90117, believed to be the penultimate New York-style car, is the sole Teardrop coupe known to have been commissioned expressly for competition. It was ordered by Philippe Régnier de Massa (a member of an ancient French noble family and gentleman driver) with numerous special features. According to Figoni’s son Claude, the car was made approximately two inches lower and four inches longer than standard examples to reduce frontal area and drag. Additional equipment included a pair of supplementary driving lights, a long-range fuel tank with external filler, reinforcement tubes and brackets in the engine bay, a 250 km/h speedometer, a proto-bucket (or semi-bucket) seat on the driver’s side, an opening rear window, and a unique heart-shaped sunroof for improved cockpit ventilation.
Completed in 1938, it contested the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans—its (and de Massa’s) first major international race. Officially entered under British racing figure and writer T.A.S.O. Mathieson (who himself raced a T26 that year with Luigi Chinetti), it was driven by de Massa and Norbert-Jean Mahé (who had finished 9th at Le Mans in 1934). Running strongly in 9th place, the car retired on the 88th lap. Accounts vary between a broken valve spring and a spin on oil that sent it traveling some distance in the wrong direction (leading to disqualification). No other period racing appearances are recorded. After a brief post-Le Mans concours outing, World War II intervened roughly ten weeks later.
The car disappeared from Western view. By around 1942 it was in Germany; after the war it was acquired in neglected, engineless condition by Herr A. Becker of Rangsdorf (near Berlin). Stranded behind the Iron Curtain, it remained largely inaccessible and forgotten by most collectors for nearly five decades, though Dutch dealer Jan Bruijn periodically met Becker in discreet circumstances to discuss a possible purchase. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 it passed to German enthusiast Peter Schmitz, then to Bruijn in 1995 (still in worn but largely cosmetically intact condition).
In 1996 it was sold to Georg Lingenbrink of San Diego, California. A correct-type period Talbot-Lago engine was sourced from England, and a meticulous six-year restoration followed. With the original chassis tag missing, identification as 90117 was confirmed through extensive research matching its unique features. Finished in deep aubergine over tan pigskin leather (with matching cloth door cards and headliner), it made its first public appearance in decades at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
In 2006 the car joined the renowned collection of Oscar Davis. Further mechanical and cosmetic work (approximately $100,000) was carried out by Classic and Sport Auto Refinishing of Edinburg, Virginia. It returned to Pebble Beach and, in 2010 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, took the juried Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show plus the public Trofeo BMW Group Italia. In 2011 it received the Louis Vuitton Concours Classic Award, recognizing the “best of the best” among the world’s top concours winners.
The present caretaker acquired it from the Davis collection at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on 19 August 2022 (lot 243), where it sold for $7,265,000. It has since been carefully preserved, with recent service by RM Auto Restoration. Accompanied by a fascinating history file (and noted as retaining a separate racing hood with cut-outs from its Le Mans period), chassis 90117 remains the unique competition-spec New York-style Teardrop—an Art Deco icon with genuine racing provenance, Iron Curtain survival story, and major concours success.
It passed at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on 15 August 2026 as lot 330, with an estimate of $7,000,000–$8,000,000.
One of only eleven original New York-style cars and the sole example purpose-built for racing, it stands as a singular masterpiece of French pre-war design and engineering.
These bodies represented the height of Figoni et Falaschi’s collaboration with Anthony Lago. After assuming control of the struggling Talbot concern, Lago had the 4-liter six-cylinder engine developed (with hemispherical combustion chambers and three Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, producing around 140 hp in road form) and paired it with the competition-oriented T150-C “Corse” chassis, featuring independent front suspension, an underslung live rear axle, and a Wilson pre-selector gearbox. Figoni’s coachwork—steeply raked windscreens, sculpted fenders, and oval windows—turned the package into one of the most celebrated expressions of pre-war French coachbuilding, often called a masterpiece of the “French Curve.”
Chassis 90117, believed to be the penultimate New York-style car, is the sole Teardrop coupe known to have been commissioned expressly for competition. It was ordered by Philippe Régnier de Massa (a member of an ancient French noble family and gentleman driver) with numerous special features. According to Figoni’s son Claude, the car was made approximately two inches lower and four inches longer than standard examples to reduce frontal area and drag. Additional equipment included a pair of supplementary driving lights, a long-range fuel tank with external filler, reinforcement tubes and brackets in the engine bay, a 250 km/h speedometer, a proto-bucket (or semi-bucket) seat on the driver’s side, an opening rear window, and a unique heart-shaped sunroof for improved cockpit ventilation.
Completed in 1938, it contested the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans—its (and de Massa’s) first major international race. Officially entered under British racing figure and writer T.A.S.O. Mathieson (who himself raced a T26 that year with Luigi Chinetti), it was driven by de Massa and Norbert-Jean Mahé (who had finished 9th at Le Mans in 1934). Running strongly in 9th place, the car retired on the 88th lap. Accounts vary between a broken valve spring and a spin on oil that sent it traveling some distance in the wrong direction (leading to disqualification). No other period racing appearances are recorded. After a brief post-Le Mans concours outing, World War II intervened roughly ten weeks later.
The car disappeared from Western view. By around 1942 it was in Germany; after the war it was acquired in neglected, engineless condition by Herr A. Becker of Rangsdorf (near Berlin). Stranded behind the Iron Curtain, it remained largely inaccessible and forgotten by most collectors for nearly five decades, though Dutch dealer Jan Bruijn periodically met Becker in discreet circumstances to discuss a possible purchase. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 it passed to German enthusiast Peter Schmitz, then to Bruijn in 1995 (still in worn but largely cosmetically intact condition).
In 1996 it was sold to Georg Lingenbrink of San Diego, California. A correct-type period Talbot-Lago engine was sourced from England, and a meticulous six-year restoration followed. With the original chassis tag missing, identification as 90117 was confirmed through extensive research matching its unique features. Finished in deep aubergine over tan pigskin leather (with matching cloth door cards and headliner), it made its first public appearance in decades at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
In 2006 the car joined the renowned collection of Oscar Davis. Further mechanical and cosmetic work (approximately $100,000) was carried out by Classic and Sport Auto Refinishing of Edinburg, Virginia. It returned to Pebble Beach and, in 2010 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, took the juried Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show plus the public Trofeo BMW Group Italia. In 2011 it received the Louis Vuitton Concours Classic Award, recognizing the “best of the best” among the world’s top concours winners.
The present caretaker acquired it from the Davis collection at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on 19 August 2022 (lot 243), where it sold for $7,265,000. It has since been carefully preserved, with recent service by RM Auto Restoration. Accompanied by a fascinating history file (and noted as retaining a separate racing hood with cut-outs from its Le Mans period), chassis 90117 remains the unique competition-spec New York-style Teardrop—an Art Deco icon with genuine racing provenance, Iron Curtain survival story, and major concours success.
It passed at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on 15 August 2026 as lot 330, with an estimate of $7,000,000–$8,000,000.
One of only eleven original New York-style cars and the sole example purpose-built for racing, it stands as a singular masterpiece of French pre-war design and engineering.
T150-C SS Cabriolet
2013 SOLD for $ 7.15M by RM Auctions
The open body Talbot-Lago T150-C SS teardrop cabriolet is the rarest and most spectacular coachwork made by Figoni et Falaschi. Made in 1938 and painted in cream color, one of them was sold for $ 7.15M on November 21, 2013 by RM Auctions, lot 122.
A Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goutte d'eau was sold for € 3.14M on May 21, 2011 by RM Auctions, lot 127. Delivered in 1938, it has the short version of the chassis and the highly rare sunroof.
30 cm longer than the T150-C SS to a wheelbase of 295 cm, the longer T150-C Lago Speciale enabled to accommodate a second row of seats. Made in 1938, a unique teardrop coupe by Figoni et Falaschi was assembled on that chassis, in the Jeancart style.
This Speciale had been purchased by its first owner for the very high price of 165,000 francs. It includes some competition minded custom goodies for that customer, a 33 year old banker named Antoine Schumann who was associated in car racing with his brother in law Pierre Louis-Dreyfus under the pun denomination Ano & Nime. It has its four wheels exposed, a full size sliding sunroof and an elegant Art Déco look.
With a next owner it went first of the 4 liter class in the 1948 24 Heures de Spa.
In a highly original condition, it was sold by RM Auctions for $ 4.6M on August 14, 2010, lot 359. Please watch the video shared by Broad Arrow before it passed on August 15, 2024, lot 230. It was sold for € 3.6M by Broad Arrow on May 25, 2025, lot 237.
Also a Jeancart, the unique teardrop T23 was sold by RM Auctions for $ 2.64M on August 17, 2012, lot 121.
A Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goutte d'eau was sold for € 3.14M on May 21, 2011 by RM Auctions, lot 127. Delivered in 1938, it has the short version of the chassis and the highly rare sunroof.
30 cm longer than the T150-C SS to a wheelbase of 295 cm, the longer T150-C Lago Speciale enabled to accommodate a second row of seats. Made in 1938, a unique teardrop coupe by Figoni et Falaschi was assembled on that chassis, in the Jeancart style.
This Speciale had been purchased by its first owner for the very high price of 165,000 francs. It includes some competition minded custom goodies for that customer, a 33 year old banker named Antoine Schumann who was associated in car racing with his brother in law Pierre Louis-Dreyfus under the pun denomination Ano & Nime. It has its four wheels exposed, a full size sliding sunroof and an elegant Art Déco look.
With a next owner it went first of the 4 liter class in the 1948 24 Heures de Spa.
In a highly original condition, it was sold by RM Auctions for $ 4.6M on August 14, 2010, lot 359. Please watch the video shared by Broad Arrow before it passed on August 15, 2024, lot 230. It was sold for € 3.6M by Broad Arrow on May 25, 2025, lot 237.
Also a Jeancart, the unique teardrop T23 was sold by RM Auctions for $ 2.64M on August 17, 2012, lot 121.
1939 Talbot-Lago T150-C Aerocoupé
2008 SOLD for $ 4.8M by Bonhams
The Goutte d'Eau of Figoni et Falaschi had a follow in 1939 with another team. On the same chassis Talbot-Lago T150-C SS as the Goutte d'eau, Georges Paulin designed the Aerocoupé aiming to improve the aerodynamics for a purpose of racing. Four Aerocoupés were hand made by Marcel Pourtout.
One of them was certainly not finished when the war broke out. It surfaced after the war and was raced by Ecurie Nice in 1950 and 1951. It was sold for $ 4.8M by Bonhams on August 15, 2008, lot 330.
One of them was certainly not finished when the war broke out. It surfaced after the war and was raced by Ecurie Nice in 1950 and 1951. It was sold for $ 4.8M by Bonhams on August 15, 2008, lot 330.
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster
2013 SOLD for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions
The luxury car began to adopt a more modern look in 1939, with Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz. The war interrupted this appealing trend.
Completed in August 1939 on a special order and delivered to its owner in Berlin, a Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster appears as the ultimate car of the most prestigious pre-war lineage.
It is equipped with the latest developments offered by Mercedes-Benz including the new five-speed transmission. Its one-off bodywork made in Sindelfingen marks the culmination of the aesthetic research aiming to bring to this massive two-seater roadster the same elegance as a sports car.
After the war it was used for a few years in East Berlin by Soviet diplomats and then transferred to Russia. It had become old-fashioned and was likely to be abandoned when an amateur managed to smuggle it into Sweden in 1967. After these adventures, its condition remains remarkably authentic with its original body and equipment including chassis and engine in matching numbers.
It was sold three times by RM. On August 20, 2011, then one of the five Mercedes-Benz demonstrating masterfully the evolution of the high-end of this brand from 1935 to 1939, it was sold for $ 4.6M. The pre sale release shared by Sports Car Digest illustrates these five wonders.
It was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013, and for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's on January 20, 2017, lot 258.
Completed in August 1939 on a special order and delivered to its owner in Berlin, a Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster appears as the ultimate car of the most prestigious pre-war lineage.
It is equipped with the latest developments offered by Mercedes-Benz including the new five-speed transmission. Its one-off bodywork made in Sindelfingen marks the culmination of the aesthetic research aiming to bring to this massive two-seater roadster the same elegance as a sports car.
After the war it was used for a few years in East Berlin by Soviet diplomats and then transferred to Russia. It had become old-fashioned and was likely to be abandoned when an amateur managed to smuggle it into Sweden in 1967. After these adventures, its condition remains remarkably authentic with its original body and equipment including chassis and engine in matching numbers.
It was sold three times by RM. On August 20, 2011, then one of the five Mercedes-Benz demonstrating masterfully the evolution of the high-end of this brand from 1935 to 1939, it was sold for $ 4.6M. The pre sale release shared by Sports Car Digest illustrates these five wonders.
It was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Auctions on August 16, 2013, and for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's on January 20, 2017, lot 258.
1939 Bugatti 57 C Aravis
2024 SOLD for $ 6.6M by Gooding
The Aravis is the two seat cabriolet body conceived in October 1938 by Gangloff for the Bugatti 57. It was offered in the Bugatti catalogue beside the Ventoux, Galibier, Stelvio and Atalante.
Only four Aravis were made by Gangloff. Three are extant. Another builder of the Type 57 Aravis was Letourneur et Marchand, of which three examples also survive.
One of the Gangloff was assembled on a chassis completed in November 1938 with a supercharger. The finish was made in ivory color with dark blue fenders in early 1939. This 57 C was sold new to the highly promising Bugatti works driver Maurice Trintignant, then aged 21, of post war Formula One fame, for his personal use.
After a restoration to its original configuration with the support of Trintignant, it was awarded First in Class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This car retains its engine in matching numbers and its original Gangloff body. It was sold for $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2.5M by Gooding on April 26, 2024, lot 22. It is illustrated on the pre sale press release.
An example delivered on November 1938 of the Gangloff 57 C Aravis won the 2012 Amelia Island Best of Show. It was sold for $ 2.34M by RM Sotheby's on March 14, 2015, lot 186. The other surviving Gangloff, made in 1939 and originally supercharged, was sold for $ 1.55M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 234.
Only four Aravis were made by Gangloff. Three are extant. Another builder of the Type 57 Aravis was Letourneur et Marchand, of which three examples also survive.
One of the Gangloff was assembled on a chassis completed in November 1938 with a supercharger. The finish was made in ivory color with dark blue fenders in early 1939. This 57 C was sold new to the highly promising Bugatti works driver Maurice Trintignant, then aged 21, of post war Formula One fame, for his personal use.
After a restoration to its original configuration with the support of Trintignant, it was awarded First in Class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This car retains its engine in matching numbers and its original Gangloff body. It was sold for $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2.5M by Gooding on April 26, 2024, lot 22. It is illustrated on the pre sale press release.
An example delivered on November 1938 of the Gangloff 57 C Aravis won the 2012 Amelia Island Best of Show. It was sold for $ 2.34M by RM Sotheby's on March 14, 2015, lot 186. The other surviving Gangloff, made in 1939 and originally supercharged, was sold for $ 1.55M by RM Sotheby's on August 19, 2022, lot 234.
1939 Horch
2012 SOLD for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions
It was ambitious to compete with Mercedes-Benz high-end in the late 1930s. This is however what was tried by another German brand, Horch, which was part of the Auto Union co-operation. The models of these two companies have remained conjointly in the memory of the enthusiasts of automobile beauties through the nickname "Silver Arrows".
The Horch 853, designed in 1938, is much rarer than the Mercedes 540K. Aesthetically, the Special Roadster variants of these two models are very similar. Horch, which did not have the industrial capability of Mercedes, banked on the extreme minuteness of the details. The 853 was in its time one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Besides the two prototypes that preceded it, the Horch 853 Special Roadster "second series" was produced in five units.
The first did not please Göring and was dismantled. One of them is in a state museum, and the latest of the series is not located.
The Horch sold for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012 is exceptional. It is photographed in the fourteenth position on the page devoted by Sports Car Digest to many wonders of this auction.
This car made in 1939 was extensively restored by RM Auto Restoration with an extreme care to use original equipment and components. This operation which lasted two years has resulted in one of the most coveted awards : it was judged Best of Show of the 2004 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
The fifth unit had also restored by a less skilled team. It was sold for £ 1.13M by RM Auctions on October 29, 2008.
The Horch 853, designed in 1938, is much rarer than the Mercedes 540K. Aesthetically, the Special Roadster variants of these two models are very similar. Horch, which did not have the industrial capability of Mercedes, banked on the extreme minuteness of the details. The 853 was in its time one of the most expensive cars in the world.
Besides the two prototypes that preceded it, the Horch 853 Special Roadster "second series" was produced in five units.
The first did not please Göring and was dismantled. One of them is in a state museum, and the latest of the series is not located.
The Horch sold for $ 5.2M by RM Auctions on August 17, 2012 is exceptional. It is photographed in the fourteenth position on the page devoted by Sports Car Digest to many wonders of this auction.
This car made in 1939 was extensively restored by RM Auto Restoration with an extreme care to use original equipment and components. This operation which lasted two years has resulted in one of the most coveted awards : it was judged Best of Show of the 2004 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
The fifth unit had also restored by a less skilled team. It was sold for £ 1.13M by RM Auctions on October 29, 2008.
