2019 marked the 44th edition of Retromobile as we take a look back at a memorable show under the roof of the Paris Expo Porte De Versailles.
The Mini celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year and so it seemed only fitting to have a stand showcasing 60 years of the Mini, with some 24 Minis on display, dating back from the very first car to the very last, with cars coming from a number of individual collectors as well as two major museums in the UK.
Every year at Salon Retromobile, Beaulieu National Motor Museum provides one of their exceptional cars. This year they brought over an extremely rare and fabulous single-seater BRM type 15.
Some lucky visitors got the chance to have a ride in a 100-year old car thanks to the Teuf Teuf club who put on some demonstrations. The Compiègne Museum also brought along a number of extremely rare pre-1900 cars, which really are true icons of the earliest years of locomotion.
A little bit different, but something that got a lot of attention at the show, was the 2CV Sculpture, which you could not miss, as it was positioned right at the entrance to the artists’ gallery. As you can see from the photograph, this rather old Citroën 2CV is being held captive in a mousetrap, having been baited with a can of petrol. This piece has been created to represent a future tale of how the very last combustion engine car was caught in 2085!
Some of the other highlights of this year’s show included the Lancia Stratos Zero concept car, as well as Simon Kidston’s ‘Muiraland’ featuring seven Miuras including SV, SVJ, a roadster and the original bare chassis.
Citroën had a 100-year display with lots of their concept cars, along with another large stand with a selection of rare DS ‘decopatitables’ and coupés.
Renault were celebrating their first Formula 1 Grand Prix win with the 1979 French GP winning Racing car. And Patrick Tambay was present for his book signing.
There were a wide selection of BMW M1 Procars on display and available to buy as it is 40 years since the marque’s GP support race featured the GP drivers.
At the Art Curial auction, notable cars were the gorgeous 16 million Alfa 8c 2900B Touring Berlinetta, and the Maurice Trintignant Bugatti.
Next year’s Salon Retromobile will take place between 5-9 February 2020 at Paris Expo Porte De Versailles and you can find out more about it here: www.retromobile.com
Authors’ Bios:
Simon Burrell is Editor-in-Chief of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Jonny Ambrose has a life-long passion for cars, motorsport and design. He exhibits his automotive sculptures worldwide.
Photographs by Jonny Ambrose
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