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Automotive Lifestyle
VINTAGE: Retromobile Shows Classic Gems
Hundreds of collector cars from road and racing history packed into five days at famed annual Paris exhibition.
In iconic Gulf livery, a Ford GT40 is part of the expansive ROFCO collection of Gulf race cars. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)
The Paris Porte de Versailles exhibition center recently hosted the annual Retromobile show, reduced to five days but nevertheless attracting 100,000 visitors to the leading classic car show with 400 cars from 300 exhibitors.
Among them were manufacturers, classic-car dealers, clubs and museums, which brought some of their finest cars.
Highlight of the show was the world debut of the ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton. This consists of about a dozen Gulf racing cars ranging from the first Mirage M1 of 1967 to the recent Gulf-backed Aston Martin Racing GT and sports cars.
Another exiting machine on display was a fully functional replica of the steam-powered Fardier de Cugnot from 1769, which is generally considered to be the first automobile. In addition to the regular exhibitors, Artcurial Motorcars hosted on auction with more than 100 lots, including a spectacular collection of former state limousines.
The annual Retromobile has come a very long way since its humble beginnings in the old Bastille train station in 1976. It has grown out to become one of the finest classic car shows, presenting some of the best cars and related collectables that each year attracts enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. By restricting the space available to the exhibitors, quality is almost guaranteed.
For the 2011 edition a new organization stepped in and some of the biggest changes in years were made to the formula. The most important was a cut in the show's length from 10 to five days. To compensate for some of the time lost, the show remained open until well into the evening on two of the weekdays. A new official auction partner, Artcurial Motorcars, also stepped up to take the spot previously held by Bonhams and Christies.
The vital ingredients were fortunately retained and Retromobile once again provided for a colourful spectacle.
For years, the Paris-based auctioneer Artcurial hosted a sale during the Retromobile show at their Palais de Congres headquarters. In 2010, the versatile company set up a separate motorcars department, which had successful sales at Le Mans and on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. As part of their expansion, Artcurial Motorcars also took the Retromobile slot for 2011.
Appreciating the unique character of the show, the company's experts consigned a collection of very remarkable cars. Among them were around two dozen limousines formerly owned or used by such heads of state as Brezhnev, Kennedy and De Gaulle. Included was a replica of the Citroen DS that made a famous escape with two flat tires after a failed assassination attempt on Charles de Gaulle. Although it was not the actual car, it did come complete with bullet holes.
Also included in the sizeable sale was a collection of Aston Martin grand tourers, which featured early DB cars, later V8s and even one of the angular Lagondas.
Many major manufacturers dip in their collection each year to bring something exciting to Retromobile. At the entrance, visitors were welcomed by a Mazda booth with a selection of the company's racing cars, celebrating the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans win twenty years ago.
Next up was Peugeot, who followed up their bicentenary celebrations last year with a selection of unusual and one-off cars. Among them was a 104 styled by Pininfarina and the teardrop shaped 402 penned by Jean Andreau. Sister company Citroen focused on the marque's off-road and rallying heritage. Displayed were cars ranging from the especially prepared half-track C4, which crossed the Asian continent from Beirut to Beijing in 1931, to the brand new DS3 WRC car that will be used by Sebastian Loeb to defend his world championship in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz is also a long time exhibitor at Retromobile and this year they celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Benz Patent Motor Wagen with a line of cars, displaying the progress made over the years. Renault marked the 50th anniversary of the versatile 4, Skoda made their Retromobile debut and Nissan displayed the company's legendary Z-cars.
Traditionally some of the show's most spectacular cars are brought by the leading classic-car dealers. This year was certainly no exception. with Lukas Huni, Fiskens and Hall & Hall displaying their finest inventory.
Swiss broker Huni prominently showed the resurrected Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic that caused such a stir at Pebble Beach in 2010. Equally impressive were the Ferraris he brought, which included one the very rare 555 Super Squalo Formula 1 cars.
Among them were manufacturers, classic-car dealers, clubs and museums, which brought some of their finest cars.
Highlight of the show was the world debut of the ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton. This consists of about a dozen Gulf racing cars ranging from the first Mirage M1 of 1967 to the recent Gulf-backed Aston Martin Racing GT and sports cars.
Another exiting machine on display was a fully functional replica of the steam-powered Fardier de Cugnot from 1769, which is generally considered to be the first automobile. In addition to the regular exhibitors, Artcurial Motorcars hosted on auction with more than 100 lots, including a spectacular collection of former state limousines.
The annual Retromobile has come a very long way since its humble beginnings in the old Bastille train station in 1976. It has grown out to become one of the finest classic car shows, presenting some of the best cars and related collectables that each year attracts enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. By restricting the space available to the exhibitors, quality is almost guaranteed.
For the 2011 edition a new organization stepped in and some of the biggest changes in years were made to the formula. The most important was a cut in the show's length from 10 to five days. To compensate for some of the time lost, the show remained open until well into the evening on two of the weekdays. A new official auction partner, Artcurial Motorcars, also stepped up to take the spot previously held by Bonhams and Christies.
The vital ingredients were fortunately retained and Retromobile once again provided for a colourful spectacle.
For years, the Paris-based auctioneer Artcurial hosted a sale during the Retromobile show at their Palais de Congres headquarters. In 2010, the versatile company set up a separate motorcars department, which had successful sales at Le Mans and on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. As part of their expansion, Artcurial Motorcars also took the Retromobile slot for 2011.
Appreciating the unique character of the show, the company's experts consigned a collection of very remarkable cars. Among them were around two dozen limousines formerly owned or used by such heads of state as Brezhnev, Kennedy and De Gaulle. Included was a replica of the Citroen DS that made a famous escape with two flat tires after a failed assassination attempt on Charles de Gaulle. Although it was not the actual car, it did come complete with bullet holes.
Also included in the sizeable sale was a collection of Aston Martin grand tourers, which featured early DB cars, later V8s and even one of the angular Lagondas.
Many major manufacturers dip in their collection each year to bring something exciting to Retromobile. At the entrance, visitors were welcomed by a Mazda booth with a selection of the company's racing cars, celebrating the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans win twenty years ago.
Next up was Peugeot, who followed up their bicentenary celebrations last year with a selection of unusual and one-off cars. Among them was a 104 styled by Pininfarina and the teardrop shaped 402 penned by Jean Andreau. Sister company Citroen focused on the marque's off-road and rallying heritage. Displayed were cars ranging from the especially prepared half-track C4, which crossed the Asian continent from Beirut to Beijing in 1931, to the brand new DS3 WRC car that will be used by Sebastian Loeb to defend his world championship in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz is also a long time exhibitor at Retromobile and this year they celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Benz Patent Motor Wagen with a line of cars, displaying the progress made over the years. Renault marked the 50th anniversary of the versatile 4, Skoda made their Retromobile debut and Nissan displayed the company's legendary Z-cars.
Traditionally some of the show's most spectacular cars are brought by the leading classic-car dealers. This year was certainly no exception. with Lukas Huni, Fiskens and Hall & Hall displaying their finest inventory.
Swiss broker Huni prominently showed the resurrected Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic that caused such a stir at Pebble Beach in 2010. Equally impressive were the Ferraris he brought, which included one the very rare 555 Super Squalo Formula 1 cars.
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