20 weird and wonderful treats at Rétromobile 2024

Welcome to Rétromobile 2024

The doors to the 2024 Salon de Rétromobile opened on 30 January in Paris, and visitors are already voting it back to its very best for the first time since the pandemic restrictions were eased.

It’s chock-full of exotica, but, as ever, the real joys of this annual French spectacular are the quirky oddities to be found across the halls.

In no particular order, enjoy our highlights from the season-opening classic car show that runs until 4 February 2024.

1. 1951 Lambert Type CS

Among the central themed displays at Rétromobile this year is a celebration of the centenary of the Autodrome Linas-Montlhéry, with a set of racing, road and record cars that have appeared at the famous track and testing facility, around 20 miles south of Paris.

This 1951 Lambert Type CS is an 1100cc Ruby-engined roadster created by aspiring automobile manufacturer Germain Lambert, who was clearly inspired by Bugatti and, as here, Talbot.

2. 1978 Gurgel Xavante X12

You don’t have to spend time on the main feature displays to discover something you’ve never seen before at Rétromobile.

This brilliantly named 1978 Gurgel Xavante X12 is among the stars of the ‘€25,000 or less’ sales hall, and those who are familiar with Brazilian-built Volkswagen Specials will probably recognise it.

Under its quirky glassfibre skin lies a VW floorpan and 1600cc flat-four engine.

3. 1975 Puma GTE

A marginally more recognisable air-cooled Brazilian car, the Puma switched from DKW to Volkswagen engines in 1967, including this GTE export model.

With twin Solex carburettors, the 1.6-litre VW engine in the Puma produces a healthy 90bhp, which, combined with its light weight thanks to glassfibre bodywork, makes it an enjoyable budget sports car.

4. c1909 Bobrie ‘Torpille’

Auctioneer Artcurial has a remarkable selection of classic cars for sale this week, from a collection of Lamborghinis to a spectacular Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 sports-racer.

If your budget doesn’t stretch that far but you still want to stand out, how about this bizarre c1909 Bobrie ‘Torpille’ (torpedo)? 

It’s been owned by the manufacturer’s family since new and could be yours for €30-50,000.

5. 1967 Maserati Quattroporte pick-up

Another of the more intriguing lots to be found among the Artcurial auction area is this fantastic Maserati fire tender.

Converted from a Quattroporte into a pick-up by Carrozzeria Grazia, for use at the Italian Grand Prix, its quad-cam V8 must make it one of the fastest fire engines in the world.

6. 1929 BNC 529 Type SPA

This wonderfully original BNC boasts an enviable competition history dating back to 1936, and is eligible for the Le Mans Classic should the new owner wish to add to it.

Powered by a supercharged 1087cc engine, it has had just four owners from new and is thought to have last raced in 1970.

If you want to know how much it costs, you’ll have to ask dealer AVC Prague…

7. 1991 Volkswagen Golf Country

Never officially sold in the UK, the Golf Country ‘soft-roader’ is a rare sight on British shores, but here at Rétromobile there’s not one but two to be found for sale in the sub-€25,000 hall.

This 1991 example, on offer for €19,900, has put 152,000km (c94,400 miles) beneath its wheels – all four of which are driven by Volkswagen’s ‘Synchro’ system, powered by a 112bhp 1.8-litre engine shared with the 8v Golf GTI.

8. 1926 Darmont Spécial

It might look like a three-wheeler Morgan, but in fact this sporty little number is a French-built Darmont. 

Raced at Montlhéry in 1931, the 1100cc twin-cylinder roadster was discovered in the Darmont factory in Courbevoie following the Second World War and remains in highly original condition. 

9. 1941 Scammell SV2S

The Musée des Blindés always brings an intriguing selection of military machinery to Rétromobile – and 2024 is no exception.

Our favourite is this magnificent – and massive – nine-passenger Scammell SV2S, one of 3414 built from 1941-’45.

Weighing a hefty 8.5 tonnes and with just over 100bhp from its six-cylinder Gardner diesel engine, it has a maximum speed of 39kph (24mph).

10. 1984 Jules 2

From a six-wheeler built for war to one built for a different kind of conflict: the Paris-Dakar rally.

At Rétromobile 2024, there is a special display celebrating the epic event, and among the stars is this prototype Jules 2, built for the 1984 running of the event and powered by a 370bhp 5.8-litre Chevrolet V8 mated to a four-speed ’box from a Porsche 930.

Sadly, however, the project was abandoned and the Kevlar-bodied one-off was withdrawn.

11. 1989 Mitsubishi PX33

No, this isn’t a restomod of a vintage Mitsubishi, but an ‘evocation’ of the Japanese firm’s first all-terrain vehicle of the 1930s.

Constructed in the late ’80s, with a glassfibre body over a Pajero chassis with 200bhp 2.6-litre turbo power, the PX33 competed in the 1989, 1990 and 1991 Paris-Dakar rallies, finishing 30th on its final outing.

12. 1952 Pegaso Z102

Built from the chassis of the 1952 Pegaso Z102 coupé exhibited at the 1953 Geneva motor show, this car replicates one of the four Z102 roadsters campaigned at Le Mans in 1953 with its streamlined speedster bodywork.

It is now for sale via Aguttes on Wheels.

13. 1984 Austin Mini 1000 Tickford

Built for a Saudi Arabian prince at a cost of £50,000 – in 1983 – this Tickford Mini echoes the luxury Minis of the 1960s with its leather interior and quad headlamps.

Alongside the square lights, details from the ’80s include a Clarion sound system, fitted into a custom dashboard.

With just 13,250km (c8200 miles) covered since new, it is estimated to fetch €40-60,000 in Artcurial’s 2 February sale.

14. 1953 Panhard Riffard

One of two experimental Panhards built in 1953, both of which competed at Le Mans, this car was subsequently rebuilt in 1954 with a light-alloy chassis to break the 750cc speed record.

Pierre Chancel set eight international records in the car that year, achieving a speed of 201.88kph (125.44mph).

The two-cylinder Panhard enjoyed a racing career after its records, too, including at the 1955 Mille Miglia.

15. 1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Giardinetta

Lancia never offered an Aurelia estate, but coachbuilder Viotti stepped in and built this practical and stylish ‘Giardinetta’. 

One of 53 built on B51 and B53 chassis, but among very few survivors, it has been restored in its original colour as ordered by its first Roman owners. 

It is now for sale with Daniele Turrisi.

16. 1947 Lancia Aprilia Monviso

A unique Art Deco-style coupé that has spent years hidden away in a private collection, this Aprilia was bodied by coachbuilder Monviso and is now for sale at Italian classic car specialist Ruote da Sogno.

Founded in 1947 and bought by Ghia just seven years later, Monviso primarily built bodies for the Fiat 1100.

17. 1953 Fiat 1100E

Giovanni Michelotti combined with his usual carrozzeria, Vignale, to produce this stylish coupé for a Roman client.

One similar car was made, which won its class at Pebble Beach in 1956, but has less pronounced tailfins.

Like the Aprilia Monviso, it has been out of the public eye for many decades in a private collection and is now for sale with Ruote da Sogno.

18. 1931 Chevallier Bol d’Or

Conceived by driver Paul Chevallier in the late 1920s, his eponymous racing car was remarkably advanced for its era, with front-wheel drive and independent suspension all round.

Power came from a 1097cc overhead-valve Ruby engine with a Cozette supercharger, giving it a 150kph (93mph) maximum.

19. 1981 Citroën LNA

While many come to Rétromobile to see Delahayes and Bugattis, one of the real rarities of the show is this immaculate little 1981 Citroën LNA.

The LNA combined the body and chassis of the Peugeot 104 Z with Citroën’s twin-cylinder engine from the Visa.

An even more austere version, the LN, preceded the LNA with 2CV power and was the very first product resulting from Peugeot’s acquisition of Citroën.

20. 1957 Isetta Velam

In a show full of record-breaking cars, this 236cc single-cylinder-powered Velam stands out as by far the smallest.

Based on the chassis of an Isetta Velam, the French licence-built version of the Iso original, but with unique aluminium bodywork, the car set seven class records at Monthléry in 1957.