Magnifique! The delights of France’s best classic car show

Rétromobile is on typically fine form

The ever-glamorous Salon Rétromobile got underway today (5 February) in the French capital, with its usual fabulous selection of machinery representing a cross-section of the motoring world, from priceless exotics to, er, tractors!

The show runs until 9 February at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, but if you aren’t lucky enough to make it this year, here’s our selection of just a few highlights.

Renault Torino

The home manufacturers are out in force this year, with Renault having taken the innovative step of asking enthusiasts before the show which cars from its huge historic collection they would like to see on display.

The result is a remarkably eclectic selection, from a pre-war truck to a wonderfully ’80s brown Fuego Turbo.

But if they had asked the C&SC team for a favourite, it would have been this 3.8-litre straight-six Torino, built by Renault-owned Argentinian subsidiary IKA.

Tatra T87

As well as the main manufacturer and prestige dealer stands, there are several specially curated displays to be found dotted around the halls.

Taking up residence in the link bridge this year is a superb selection of Tatras, from the earliest examples to the final model built, the 700 of 1998.

We loved the two-tone T603 and a superbly restored T77, but this T87 stood out with its sandpit display case perfectly illustrating the tremendous traction provided by its air-cooled 3-litre V8 sitting directly over the driven rear wheels.

Citroën tractors

As ever, however, it’s the quirky stuff that really appeals. And what could be more quirky than a superb set of tractors produced by car and truck manufacturers?

The group includes Fiat, Lamborghini, Porsche, Renault and Ford machines, along with this trio of Citroëns headed by a super-cute 1919 Viticole, equipped with mechanicals from the Citroën Type A and on loan from the Collection Musée Maurice Dufresne. 

Alfa Romeo Balilla tractor

There’s nothing quite like Rétromobile for providing an automotive education, and even knowledgeable Alfisti were intrigued by this lovely little Alfa Romeo Balilla tractor, dwarfed by the giant eight-wheeled Fiat behemoth behind.

The 1.4-litre Alfa workhorse proved popular in southern France, but imports were cut short by the outbreak of war in 1939.

Frua-styled SM

It wasn’t only Citroën tractors that were catching the eye, because throughout the show were special machines on display to mark the 50th anniversary of the SM.

The SM Club de France brought along the first production model, together with a 24 Hours of Spa racer, and Citroën itself displayed the targa-style SM Espace. 

But for sheer wow factor neither could match the efforts of model specialist SM2a, which boasted a superbly restored SM, a Ligier JS2 – later examples of which shared the SM’s Maserati engine – and the unique Frua SM… displayed on the back of an SM-based transporter, of course!

Hüni’s amazing Alfas

British dealers have once again put together some mouth-watering stands – of which more later – but Swiss specialist Lukas Hüni is fast developing a reputation for curating some of the most jaw-dropping sets of machinery Paris has witnessed.

After previous celebrations of Lancia and Ferrari, this year Hüni has turned his attention to Alfa Romeo, and the result is simply incredible.

Contrasting with the sober black background is a group of Milanese marvels ranging from more Alfa 8Cs than you’d expect to see at an owners’ gathering to Tipo 33 racers, Giuliettas, TZs… and this magnificent twin-engined 16C Bimotore.

Ferrari 312 B2

Not to be outdone, Gregor Fisken has made the return trip from his Kensington Mews showroom to the French capital, bringing with him a dream line-up of single-seaters and sports-racers. 

Picking a favourite isn’t easy, but we’d probably go for the ex-Clay Regazzoni, Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx 1971 Ferrari 312 B2. Now that’s what you call provenance…

Girardo & Co supercar selection

Providing a contrast alongside Fiskens’ impressive display is Girardo & Co. We love the wonderfully original and delightfully patinated 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, but for sheer spectacle how about this line-up of supercars? 

Telling the story of Ferrari hypercar evolution from 288GTO via F40, F50 to Enzo, then on to the Enzo-based Maserati MC12 (in a rather fetching shade of retina-burning orange), it is enough to overshadow Michael Schumacher’s first Ferrari F1 car behind.

Nissan R390 GT1

Penned by Tony Southgate and Ian Callum, the R390 GT1 is perhaps the better-remembered milestone in the Japanese marque’s recent Le Mans history. Visually, at least.

This, part of the vast Ascott Collection alongside class-winning Dodge Viper, Mike Hailwood Surtees, 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Berlinette Strada Aluminium, Porsche 910 and much else, was driven by Michael Krumm, Le Mans winner John Nielsen and Franck Lagorce to fifth place in 1998.

GMC pickup and 1970 New Map Solyto Mk2 Campingcar

Nestling in the same hall as the club displays, the ‘cars for sale for under €25,000’ area is always a favourite.

The variety is remarkable, perfectly demonstrated by this bizarre equipe of a very rare 1970 New Map Solyto Mk2 Campingcar sitting on the back of a superbly restored GMC pick-up.

Read the small print, however, and you’ll find the tiny truck isn’t thrown in for free – it’ll cost you an extra €9800 on top of the GMC’s €25,000, and that doesn’t include import duties…

Golf Rallye

Modern classics are a feature of the big European shows, unearthing gems rarely seen on our side of the channel.

Among the sub-€25,000 cars for sale is a wide-bodied Golf Rallye. And you’ll get change, albeit only €500… Presumably it won’t be there for long.

Škoda 1100 Sport

Lest we forget Škoda's racing past, this famously being its 125th year. Ahem. A surprise to many, that the now-Volkswagen-owned brand has such a thing, but illustrating it most evocatively is the all-aluminium Tudor 1100 Sport that contested the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its 1089cc engine gave up after 120 laps.

Bertone display

Perhaps the most stylish of the curated displays is a group of concept machines from the ASI-Bertone collection, featuring everything from dramatic wedge-shaped Ferrari 308GT Rainbow to chic Citroën Camargue, via a wild BMW-based pick-up truck.

Favourites among the C&SC crew, however, were the Lamborghini Genesis people-carrier – a 1988 design that wouldn’t look out of place today if you gave it an electric motor in place of its Countach-sourced V12 – and the Citroën BX-alike 1979 Volvo Tundra coupé.

1928 Renault IK

In 2019, Fondation Berliet wowed showgoers with its incredible T100 truck, and this year it’s back with another lorry that’s rather smaller, but no less intriguing.

The 1928 Renault IK water truck was used in various French villages in the 1930s and features a 5000-litre tank, a centrifugal pump and a top speed of… 18kph!

Mercedes-Benz 190SL pedal car

Perhaps the easiest to bring back – and explain at home – would be one of the pedal cars dotted around the stalls.

They’re present in their hordes: Bugs galore, plus a brace of electric Jeeps, but perhaps the most endearing is the Mercedes-Benz 190SL. At €850 it's reasonable – especially when compared to some of the 1:18 and 1:43 models available elsewhere. And even compared to many of the books.

Lamborghini Miura SVJ

A toy for rather bigger boys and girls can be found over with Lamborghini Polo Storico, which is presenting yet another of its superb Miura restorations – hot on the heels of Jean Todt’s SV and the original Italian Job movie car featured in C&SC’s December 2019 issue.

And this silver machine is just as special, because it’s a super-rare Miura SVJ (J for Jota) built in 1973 for German racing driver Hubert Hahne.

Citroën SM

Just to prove that enthusiasts aren’t only to be found inside the halls of the Porte de Versailles Expo, we’ve spotted several classics milling around outside – including this Citroën SM adding a touch of class to the Parisian traffic jam. Bravo, monsieur!