We last went to Retromboile in 2008 but this year finances and time just worked in such away that it was do-able again so we jumped at the chance. A seven AM train out of St Pancras got us to the Gare du Nord in Paris for quarter past ten local time and then its a half hour hop on the Metro across town to the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre.
It really is a stunning show and well worth a visit. As last time, there are too numerous rare, unusual and just downright special cars to ogle at. Here's a selection.
Plenty of Renault/Alpine variety around the place
I don't recall ever seeing a 512BB LM before. Just too cool
And then just across the way was this stunning Delahaye by, I am guessing, Figoni et Falashi
which shared stand space with this Bugatti.
These two Cisitalias were undergoing resto work.
Arden 8 port, Amals and a Mini Sprint.
More race car patina on this Lambert, one of four cars of that make that had been brought from the Mulhouse museum I'm hoping to get to in the summer.
The Lamberts were all front drive, this being chassis #1, which appeared to have been used as a factory hack.
Stanguellini/Fiat 1100
A shinier Cisitalia
Single seater Fiat 500.
One of the most amazing cars was this one off Lancia Aurelia.
There were a few cars here and there of more modest means.
Skoda brought along some of its race/rally heritage.
This special display of DSes was stunning. Look at those colours!
Citroen Xanthia,
and SM T top concertina roof thing.
Renault road sweeper.
More Alpine.
Chopped R8! Was part of the performance/Gordini experiments.
Oddest choice of all on the Renault stand was this Alliance convertible.
Bizzarini
Unique Voisin single seater postmans vehicle based on the Biscooter.
Single pot supercharged!
Porsche had a nice display celebrating the 911.
There were a couple of Zochi looking customs in the auction cars which seemed an odd choice for such a sale.
The Mercedes stand was very two-tone.
I do love the Blitzen Benz, all four cylinders and 21.5 litres of it.
This is perfect for the man who likes estate cars and Miura wheels. Me then.
There was the largest gathering for many years of Helicas.
'Is that teh AA? Yeah, you'd better just send a flat bed as the prop has broken up and I can't go anywhere.'
We left the show at about 5, headed back across town to a restaurant nearer the station, had a great dinner and then caught the 9pm train back to London. A grand day out.
More photos here if you fancy:
s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Classics%2013/Retromobile/
It really is a stunning show and well worth a visit. As last time, there are too numerous rare, unusual and just downright special cars to ogle at. Here's a selection.
Plenty of Renault/Alpine variety around the place
I don't recall ever seeing a 512BB LM before. Just too cool
And then just across the way was this stunning Delahaye by, I am guessing, Figoni et Falashi
which shared stand space with this Bugatti.
These two Cisitalias were undergoing resto work.
Arden 8 port, Amals and a Mini Sprint.
More race car patina on this Lambert, one of four cars of that make that had been brought from the Mulhouse museum I'm hoping to get to in the summer.
The Lamberts were all front drive, this being chassis #1, which appeared to have been used as a factory hack.
Stanguellini/Fiat 1100
A shinier Cisitalia
Single seater Fiat 500.
One of the most amazing cars was this one off Lancia Aurelia.
There were a few cars here and there of more modest means.
Skoda brought along some of its race/rally heritage.
This special display of DSes was stunning. Look at those colours!
Citroen Xanthia,
and SM T top concertina roof thing.
Renault road sweeper.
More Alpine.
Chopped R8! Was part of the performance/Gordini experiments.
Oddest choice of all on the Renault stand was this Alliance convertible.
Bizzarini
Unique Voisin single seater postmans vehicle based on the Biscooter.
Single pot supercharged!
Porsche had a nice display celebrating the 911.
There were a couple of Zochi looking customs in the auction cars which seemed an odd choice for such a sale.
The Mercedes stand was very two-tone.
I do love the Blitzen Benz, all four cylinders and 21.5 litres of it.
This is perfect for the man who likes estate cars and Miura wheels. Me then.
There was the largest gathering for many years of Helicas.
'Is that teh AA? Yeah, you'd better just send a flat bed as the prop has broken up and I can't go anywhere.'
We left the show at about 5, headed back across town to a restaurant nearer the station, had a great dinner and then caught the 9pm train back to London. A grand day out.
More photos here if you fancy:
s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Classics%2013/Retromobile/
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