Few auto shows can bring together a Bugatti club, an all-terrain Rolls-Royce, a rusty Polish-built sedan–previously owned by Pope John Paul II–and elaborate manufacturer displays celebrating each company’s unique history. Retromobile combined these and much, much more into Hall 7.3 at the Paris Expo Center, from February 10-19. HS&EC was there, to experience everything that makes this eclectic event a must-see for classic car lovers.
The only problem is that trying to succinctly explain Retromobile is harder than figuring out how the French can create such magnificent desserts, but somehow remain so annoyingly thin. It is part amateur club meet, part auto jumble, part spare parts haven and, to polish it all off, there is ample support from companies like Citroën, Renault, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, along with upper-crust auction houses and auto restorers.
Many of the clubs go to extraordinary lengths to create clever displays. This year, one of the more memorable ones was a Paris-based military vehicle club, set up to look like a MASH unit. A vintage Jeep, sandbags, cots, rows of instruments and a vintage typewriter all proved the creative extremes to which participants go. The Berliet club had a truck dating to 1926, its floor-boards removed so that visitors could see the inner-workings of its six-wheel layout. Nearby, the American Car Club de France had a raffle for a yellow 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible, while a few stands away sat the winners of the 2005 Louis Vuitton Classic Awards. These included the stunning Maserati Birdcage concept car, along with a car HS&EC readers will recognize as the 1937 Delage D8-120 S, owned by Sam and Emily Mann and featured in our December issue.
Manufacturers play a large role in Retromobile, too. This year, Renault paid tribute to the 60th anniversary of the 4CV, BMW commemorated the 40th birthday of the iconic 2002 series, Lancia celebrated its 100th anniversary and Citroën had several displays dedicated to its most unusual, or just plain strange, classic advertisem*nts. Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot were also present and, like the rest, had an impressive collection of classics dotted around their stands. One of our favorites was the streamlined 1976 Mercedes C111 diesel-powered prototype, a record-breaking car capable of reaching 197 mph.
Classic car dealers had all manner of vehicles for sale, in everything from barn-find to concours condition. A pre-war Delahaye, a delicate wood-bodied Amilcar and the shoebox profile of a 1969 Renault R8 Gordini–with a note confirming it to be “en parfait état”–were there to tempt buyers. Rows of model cars and automotive books were also available, for those not ready to spend five or six-figure sums.
Representing the world of seven-figure price tags was a blue and white striped 1952 Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-Type that sold for over $1.6 million at Christie’s auction, held on Saturday February 11. Other notable sales included a 1904 Automobiles Charron, Girardot et Voigt Model H1 6¼ side-entrance Phaeton, sold at $446,106, and a 1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Landaulette that seemed a (relative) bargain at $112,048. What of the non-running, rusty 1958 FSO Warszawa M20 sedan? The former Pope-mobile saw bidding creep to $65,000, but in the end, the seller decided the price was not high enough, and the car remained unsold. As for us, we went home with a 1/43rd scale version of that sharp little Renault R8.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Photo 1: Renault erected an elaborate stand to celebrate the 60th birthday of the 4CV. Pristine examples were outfitted as taxis, delivery vehicles or, as pictured, desert rally racers
Photo 2: Only at Retromobile could a desert rally-raid Rolls-Royce appear almost normal. Remember, we did say almost
Photo 3: A big sign for a big car. Hispano-Suiza was among the best luxury cars in the world prior to World War II
Photo 4: Mercedes-Benz was so busy handing us pamphlets and information about its new museum in Stuttgart that we nearly overlooked this fantastic, low-as-a-leech 1976 Mercedes C111 diesel-powered prototype
Photo 5: Complete down to the last sandbag. Displays at Retromobile are extremely creative
Photo 6: French pride or good lighting? This Bugatti EB110 race car was a photographer’s favorite
Photo 7: This 1912 Itala 14/18 CV Roadster found a buyer who was willing to part with $70,000 at Christie’s automobile auction
Photo 8: Parts vendors at the show have a wide variety of items that a lifetime of searching in the States might never turn up
Photo 9: There are no airbags, satellite radio, or cup holders. Nevertheless, the polished metal dash of that same 1912 Itala truly qualifies as mobile art
Photo 10: Christie’s auction house returned to Retromobile with an even stronger–and pricier–assortment of classics
Photo 11: Paul Niblett, of Michelin’s communications department, posed in period garb alongside the company’s vintage service truck
Photo 12: Maserati Birdcage concept car and ’37 Delage D8-120 S, featured in HS&EC #4, were awarded trophies at Louis Vuitton’s flagship store on the Champs-Elysées, before making trip crosstown to Retromobile
Photo 13: Alpine’s first foray into Renault-tuning came about via the humble 4CV
Photo 14: Classic Bugattis and no velvet ropes or armed guards to keep the filthy masses away? At Retromobile, the atmosphere is laid back, even when cars cost more than the average house
Photo 15: In the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, Matra was a veritable tour de force in Formula One and at Le Mans, which the firm won in 1972, 1973 and 1974
Photo 16: The British National Motor Museum (Beaulieu) had a team of young ladies, all aspiring mechanics, assemble a Caterham Super Seven on its stand
Photo 17: Is it really that old? A banner above BMW’s stand proves that the 2002 has reached middle age
Photo 18: No buyer was found for this decrepit 1958 FSO Warszawa once owned, but never driven, by Pope John Paul II
Photo 19: Perfectly restored vintage gas pumps, the ultimate accessory for your den or garage
Photo 20: Lucas Electrics–a.k.a. The Prince of Darkness–made a not-so-unexpected appearance at Retromobile. Many cars had their hoods up, to allow the curious to peek inside
