Rétromobile, Europe’s largest indoor old car event, began its 36th year yesterday with a new format. Previously a ten-day show encompassing two weekends, this edition has been downsized to a five-day run, with just a single weekend. But as is often the case, less is more.
More, this year, means more exhibitors. Over the past three decades, some traditional participants had fallen away, as the costs of supporting a ten-day extravaganza had multiplied. Particularly affected were many of the club participants, but major automakers, too, felt the pinch. Renault, for example, had not had a presence in years, and BMW, once a stalwart, had been replaced last year by Mazda.
From appearances, though, this year things are well again. BMW is back, in league with its French club, and Mazda is too, celebrating the LeMans success of 1991. Fellow Japanese carmaker Nissan features its sports models, while Mercedes-Benz touts a 125th anniversary. Peugeot and Citroën are perennial exhibitors, but it was good to see Renault back in town, honoring the anniversary of the Renault 4. New at the show is Czech automaker Skoda.
Orphan makes are usually represented by their clubs, and Panhard, Amilcar, Lorraine–Dietrich and Bugatti are just a few of these. Specialty clubs include the French Vintage Corvette Club.
The Rétromobile organization has mounted several topical displays, including a roundup of Grand Prix driver Duncan Hamilton’s Gulf ROFGO race car collection and a celebration of “Youngtimers,” the cult cars of the 1970s-90s. Centerpiece of the show, however, was a recreation of the fardier built in 1770 by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, generally considered the first real automobile. Constructed by French-American industrialist, collector and engineer Alain Cerf, the modern-day vehicle dazzled Rétrogoers by operating under live steam.
And there is plenty to buy. Oldtimer enthusiasts can find books, literature, petrolia, and lighting old and new. There are whole villages of model cars, and objets d’art in the automotive vein. Collector car dealers, too, are in abundance, Fiskens of Britain offering a much publicized “barn-find” Squire sports car. An arresting sight is the Lancia Aprillia “woody” on the stand of Marreyt Classics. There’s always an auction at Rétromobile, and this year the French concern Artcurial takes over from Bonhams, with a sale tomorrow evening. Bonhams have not left town, however, and are holding their own event at the Grand Palais on Saturday.
It’s a cosmopolitan event, offering even authentic New York hot dogs. But Rétromobile is short and sweet, so you must join the crowds before Sunday in order to enjoy the treats. Rétromobile runs through February 6th in Hall 7.3 at the Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles, Paris.
