- Paris, Rétromobile 2019 -

The 2018 edition of RETROMOBILE gathered 105 266 visitors and more than 600 vehicles displayed on 65 000m² remains one of the most successful meeting for car collectors and enthousiasts. Despite the inclement weather conditions, this 43rd edition of the Rétromobile was still a tremendous success, confirming its importance in the international automobile events calendar.

This edition included special exhibit of Abarth from Engelbert Möll collection or McLaren racing successes. It was the occasion of several anniversary like the 120 years of Renault, the 70th anniversary of Porsche or Honda. It was the 70th anniversary for the Citroen 2CV and Peugeot 203 sedan as well as the 50th anniversary for the Citroen Mehari or the Peugeot 504. Retromobile has become a real living encyclopedia where it is possible to discover automobiles from different ages and from different brands.

We have tried to put together a review of classic and historic cars of different famous car manufacturers. We hope you enjoy the visit through these selection of exhibits.

Artcurial Auction sale at Retromobile was once again a success this year. The auction, taken by the acclaimed trio of Hervé Poulain, Matthieu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff realised 32 M € /39M$, with 86 % of all lots sold. We have tried here to illustrate the great diversity of the lots sold.

1. Early horseless vehicles
2. Citroen 100 years
3. Selection of Single Seat Racing Cars
4. 110 years Bugatti Anniversary
5. Porsche 70th Anniversary
6. Saga ABARTH - Engelbert Möll Collection
7. Ground Effect Endurance Racing Cars -Ascott Collection
8. Jaguar with D Type production restart
9. Aston Martin
10. Bugatti
11. McLaren
12. Landspeed Record's cars
13. Overview of some cars around the alleys
14. Overview of Artcurial Auctions ( not exhaustive )

The Citroën Type A Torpedo (Open Tourer) is presented as the first mass-produced model in Europe. It was the first European car sold with electric starter, electric lighting and a spare wheel. 28.400 models have been produced between 1919 and 1921. For further details see Citroën Type A Torpedo 1919

This P17 half-track vehicle was called the « Scarabée d’Or III’ (Golden Beetle). Georges-Marie Haardt used it as the command vehicle in the third Citroën expedition. The Croisère Jaune expedition was divided into two groups : the China Group and the Pamir Group. The Pamir group, equipped with P17s of this type, took 315 days (4 April 1931 to 12 February 1932) to travel from Beirut to the western gate of Beijing, a distance of 12115 km. For further details see Citroën half-track Type P17 1931 Croisère Jaune - based on C4F

1947 Citroen 2 CV - Exhibit Citroen

1947 Citroen Type H - Exhibit Citroen

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1960 Citroen DS 19 Coupe Le Man by CHAPRON
1966 Citroen DS 19 Berline Majesty by CHAPRON

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The Citroen Mehari is the first production model equiped with an ABS polymer body. The car was designed by Roland de la Poype and produced by SEAB for Citroen during 19 years. The Mehari was built on a Dyane 6 platform and was essentially a multi-purpose vehicle capable of riding on different soils. It was particularly rust-free and could easily be used near the sea. It was produced between 1968 and 1987 at 144.953 examples. The engine is the 602 cc  air cooled flat twin producing 29 hp.

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Just weeks after becoming head of styling at Citroen, Trevor Fiore revealed the KARIN prototype at the 1980 Paris Motor Show.

A truly bold concept car, it had a sweeping pyramidal form and an interior designed for three occupants. The driver's seat was positioned centrally and slightly further forward than the two passengers, and all main controls were close to the steering wheel, which was adjustable and had the feel of a joystick. This was no static display vehicle, as it had a 4 cylinder engine and hydropneumatic suspensions.

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The Citroen C-Metisse concept car is a four seater coupe with striking design illustrating Citroen new styling with extreme sober contours.
   Propulsion is based on similar principle as C4 hybrid prototype introduced in early 2006 with a diesel engine at the front and two electric motors at the rear.

For further details see Citroen C Metisse Concept car 2006

The Citroen C4 WRC was developed in 2006 for competing in the 2007 World Rally Championship (WRC). The Citroen C4 WRC replaces the Xsara WRC, winner of three world manufacturers crowns between 2003 and 2005. The Citroen C4 WRC was the car driven by Sebastien Loeb to win its fourth world rally driver crown.

For further details see Citroen C4 WRC 2007

With the Citroen Gran Turismo Concept, or GTbyCITROËN, Citroën becomes the first vehicle manufacturer to cross over the virtual worlds: an original take on a road car, GTbyCITROËN is a style replica of a vehicle from the digital world. The car is the result of a partnership between Citroen and Polyphony, designer of the driving simulation game Gran Turismo 5 on Playstation 3. In the game, GTbyCITROËN features an electric drive train powered by a fuel cell with no pollutant emissions. It is a car designed to square up to the strongest competition. See Citroen Gran Turismo Concept 2008 : GTbyCITROËN

The Citroen Tubik Hybrid4 Concept, a 9-seater vehicle whose styling and characteristics reflect the prestige cues of a modern saloon. Tubik was inspired by CITROËN’s renowned Type H, fondly referred to by the general public as the “TUB” (the name of its predecessor). CITROËN design teams gave Tubik distinctive, offbeat styling, with colours and materials that aim to meet the highest standards in sophistication and comfort. For further details see Citroen Tubik Hybrid4 Concept 2011

CITROËN entered the FIA World Touring Car Championship in April of this year, demonstrating once more its ability to address new sporting challenges. Today, CITROËN C-Elysée WTCC is No. 1 in the Manufacturers’ rankings. This championship has a strong following in Asia and Latin America and is an opportunity for CITROËN to build its international renown.  For further details see Citroen C-Elysee WTCC 2014 - World Champion

Citroen revealed the Citroën CXPERIENCE CONCEPT that will be introduced at the Paris Motor Show MONDIAL 2016 in the large hatchback segment.With its distinctive body style, this new and stunning concept illustrates the benefits of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme. For further details see Citroën CXPERIENCE Plug-in-Hybrid Concept 2016

One month before the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship gets underway at Rallye Monte Carlo, Citroën Racing officially unveils its C3 WRC in Abu Dhabi. Complying with the new FIA regulations, which sees the introduction of a new generation of World Rally Cars, the C3 WRC heralds the return of Citroën, with eight manufacturers’ titles and no fewer than 96 wins to the brand’s name. For the 2017 season, the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT will enter between two and four C3 WRCs for its crews; Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, Craig Breen/Scott Martin, Stéphane Lefebvre/Gabin Moreau and Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson. For further details see Citroën C3 WRC 2017

 3 -Selection of Single Seat Racing Cars

1948 Maserati 4 CLT - -Exhibit Holdmayer

The BRM Type 15 was equipped with a 1500 cc H16 supercharged engine producing 600 hp at 12.000 rpm.

1955 Maserati 250 F - Exhibit AUXIETRE & SCHMIDT

1959 Cooper T51 F1 F2 - Exhibit FA Automobile

The Cooper T51 is a Formula One and Formula Two racing car introduced in 1959. It revolutionize racing with the use of the engine in the center rear position. It allowed Cooper Car Company to become World Champion Manufacturer and Jack Brabham World Champion Driver. The engine is a Coventry Climax FPF in longitudinal position with either 2.5 Litre or 2 Litre capacity.

In October 1965, the Abarth 1000 Monoposto Record Classe G - powered by a 1 litre twin cam engine- set the record for acceleration on the quarter-mile and 500-meter distances, beating feared competitors BMW and Porsche. The single seater used by Carlo Abarth himself in this feat was based on the Formula Two model from the previous year, with improved aerodynamics (nose and windshield) and engine; it indeed featured a capacity of 982 cc, two Weber 40 carburettors and two overhead camshafts.

1969 McLaren M7C-01 V8 Ford Cosworth - Exhibit Richard Mille

This McLaren is propelled by a 2993 cc 430 hp V8 Ford Cosworth DFV.

1970 McLaren M14D Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

1974 McLaren M23 Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

This McLaren M23 is propelled by a 2993 cc 470 hp V8 Ford Cosworth.

1974 Shadow DN5 Formula One - Exhibit FISKENS

This Shadow DN5 was designed by Tony Southgate and built by Nichols AVS for the 1975 and 1976 Formula One World Championship seasons.

1977 Ligier Matra MS76 Formula One - Exhibit Grand Prix de France 2019

This Ligier MATRA MS76 is propelled by a 2993 cc 510 hp V12 Matra engine.

1979 Renault RS10 Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

This car is the first formula one race car with turbocharged engine to win a Grand Prix and it was the 1979 French Grand Prix. In forty years Renault has completed 177 victories and 507 podiums. The engine is a turbocharged 1492 cc V6 producing 520 hp.

1984 McLaren MP4-2-01 TAG Porsche Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

This McLaren MP4-2-01 is propelled by a 700 hp V6 TAG Porsche engine.

1988 McLaren MP4-4 Honda Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

This McLaren is propelled by a 650 hp 1494 cc V10 Honda engine.

1998 McLaren MP4-13 Mercedes Formula One - Exhibit Richard Mille

This McLaren is propelled by a 780 hp 2998 cc V10 Mercedes Benz engine.

1911 Bugatti Type 13 Brescia - Exhibit Pure Sang

The first Bugatti Type 13 was built in 1914. The World War interrupted the industrial activity and it is in 1919 that manufacturing restarted. For the 1921 racing season, a development of the 16 valves was produced featuring a built-up ball-bearing crankshaft, roller bearing connecting rods and twin magneto ignition, which secured an outstanding victory on the 8th September 1921 in Brescia when the four team cars of Friderich, De Viscaya, Baccoli and Marco took the first four places in the most important voiturette race of the season. Friderich won in 2 hours 59 minutes and 18 seconds with an average speed of 116 kph. See Bugatti Type 13 Brescia

1925 Bugatti T30 - Exhibit Bugatti Club

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1929 Bugatti Type 37A - Exhibit GIRARDO & Co

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1932 Bugatti Type 55 Grand Sport - Exhibit Bugatti 110 years

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1937 Bugatti 57S   - Exhibit Yvan Dutton

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1938 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio by Gangloff- Exhibit Yvan Dutton

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1991 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport-  Exhibit Bugatti and Holdmayer

In 1987 Romano Artioli, an Italian Ferrari distributor, decided to recreate the Bugatti car manufacturer. Bugatti was a famous automobile company founded by Ettore Bugatti and that produced luxury and sports racing cars from 1909 to 1947. See Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport

2016 - Bugatti Chiron- Exhibit Bugatti

2010 - Exhibit TOTAL

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Reducing fuel consumption was already becoming an important issue for vehicle developers fifty years ago. Back in 1956 the Suez crisis and petrol rationing were major factors for the automobile industry. BMC management gave designer Alec Issigonis the following guidelines: the Mini must make creative use of the limited space available; accommodate four passengers; and guarantee perfect handling and low fuel consumption. BMC dedicated £ 10,000,000 to the project. The project instruction was to produce the world’s most economic car. The new BMC 850 car called Morris Mini Minor or Austin Seven respectively by the two sales networks that were to handle it.
During the prototype stage, numerous cars were built with various engine arrangements. Air cooled units, so popular at the time on the Continent were given an exhaustive testing and eventually discarded. The revolutionary small car was 3.05 meter long and dedicated 80% of its volume to the passengers. The power plant was water cooled four cylinder placed across the front of the car over the transmission and activated the front wheels. The engine with 850 cc. produced 34 hp at 5500 rpm on a compression ratio of 8.3 to 1. The pushrod-operated overhead valves and other mechanical details follow standard BMC practice, but the driven plate of the clutch is on the opposite side of the flywheel, between it and the main bearing. See BMC 850 Austin Seven , Morris Mini Minor and derivatives 1959-2000

BMC Mini 850 - 80% of volume for the passengers and 20% for the mechanical components
MINI MOKE	MINI MARCOS

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1949 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Touring - Exhibit Le Mans 1949

1950 Ferrari 195 Inter GHIA   - Exhibit MOVENDI

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This is one of only 18 Ferrari Daytona Spyders with European Specification produced out of a total run of 122 cars. The US version offers less torque as it comes with emission control system.

1972 Ferrari 365 GTB-4 Daytona Competizione- Exhibit FISKENS

1974 Ferrari 308 GT4 LM - Exhibit Collection Privé Automobile

This Ferrari 308 GT4 LM is the unique example prepared by the Ferrari factory and participated under the Luigi Chinetti N.A.R.T. at 1974 Le Mans 24 Hours. Chassis N° 08020.

1979 Ferrari 308 Carma FF Turbo -

This Ferrari 308 Carma FF Turbo is the only Ferrari 308 Group 5 prepared by Facetti and Finotto in their facility. The 3.0 Litre 8 cylinder engine with twin turbo and 4 valves per cylinder produces a maximum power of 900 hp. The car was built in 1979 for the 1980 and 1981 seasons. The car was entered at Le Mans but did not race. It completed its fastest race lap in the 24 Hours of Daytona.

1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Pininfarina - Exhibit Movendi

The Ferrari 288 GTO was introduced in 1984 and 272 cars were produced until 1985. The V8 engine produced 400 hp at 7000 rpm allowing for a claimed top speed of 300 kph.

1987 1992 Ferrari F40 - Exhibit AUXIETRE & SCHMIDT and GIRARDO & Co

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2014 LaFerrari - Exhibit RM Sotheby

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1919 Bentley EXP 2 -Exhibit Bentley 100th Anniversary

EXP 2 is the oldest surviving Bentley, the second ever made and the first to win a race. Its value is incalculable. EXP is the prefix given by Bentley to this (and all subsequent) pre-production models.Its 3 Litre monobloc engine featured four valves per cylinder, twin spark plugs, twin magnetos and made extensive use of aluminium and magnesium; this was an advanced specification for 1920, particularly for a road-going car. Like every Bentley since, the 3 Litre engine developed generous amounts of torque from low rpm, was durable, strong and capable of high performance.Bentley made three prototypes. EXP1 (EXPerimental No1) was built at New Street Mews off Baker Street and first ran in October 1919.  EXP2 was built at Bentley’s new works in Cricklewood using a chassis exhibited at Olympia in November 1919 with a plain 2-seat body.  The final one, EXP3, became known The Cab and was WO’s personal car.

1927 Bentley 3 Litre Red Label - Exhibit Swiss Concours Elegance

1927 Bentley 6.5 Litre VDP Le Mans - Exhibit FISKENS

1929 Bentley Speed Six Gurney Nutting- Exhibit Axel Schuette

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This Alfa Romeo 1750 Coupe participated in the 1933 Mille Miglia.

The 6C 2500 was a landmark model for Alfa Romeo, as it was both the end and start of two different chapters. This was the last car built by Alfa Romeo before World War II and the first built post-war, with engineering and designs evolving over time. This car also marked the end of Alfa Romeo’s long history with the 6C road car lineage, following this model was the four-cylinder 1900.

The top of the range, most sought-after and expensive of all 6C 2500s was the Super Sport, seen here, which was built using a developed and shorter 2,700 mm wheelbase, giving a sportier and more agile feel. Super Sport specification also meant that the Vittorio Jano-designed, six-cylinder, 2,443 cc engine was fed by three Weber carburettors, to produce an impressive 110 bhp — in 1950, let’s not forget!

As a result of this Alfa Romeo being so desirable, no less than 15 coachbuilders designed and built bodies for the 6C 2500, but the artisan who is perhaps most synonymous with this model is Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Using its Superleggera construction technique, Touring’s designs are considered amongst the most exquisite to clothe the 6C 2500.

With only 383 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sports built after the war, the car quickly gained huge admiration, becoming an icon for a nation working to move forward. A symbol of wealth and success in period, the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport has always been well admired by classic car connoisseurs, with examples now joining some of the largest and most important collections. (Source Girardo & Co)

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Between 1960 and 1961 171 Alfa Romeo SZ "Coda Ronda" have been produced by Zagato.

This Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 Tubolare Zagato was indeed assembled by Autodelta and was a real competition car capable of good performances in the Grand Touring (GT) Class. It was fitted with a tubular space-frame , an aerodynamic body made of light alloy and an excellent powerful engine. See Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 Tubolare Zagato 1963 1966

Alfa Romeo Tipo 33-3 Chassis '009' was Autodelta's Brands Hatch and Nurburgring winner. It finished 2nd overall at Sebring and Targa Florio.

    During the 1971 FIA World Sports Car Championship season, Alfa Romeo and Autodelta began competing with its new and updated Tipo 33 TT 3. Taking design and engineering cues from their competition at Ferrari and Porsche, Alfa Romeo’s latest race car earned its name courtesy of its tubular chassis (Telaio Tubolare in Italian). An all-new steel spaceframe chassis replaced the out-dated sheet-aluminium monocoque of the previous Tipo 33/3.
The engine fitted in the Tipo 33 TT 3 was an updated and enhanced version of that previously seen in the Tipo 33/3, now boasting an impressive 440 bhp at 9,800 rpm. Thanks to its redesigned cylinder heads, this high-revving quad-cam, 36-valve V8 engine was producing the same power as Ferrari’s much heavier 12-cylinder unit! (source Girardo & Co)

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In January 1993, the Auto Sports International Show at the Birmingham NEC saw the public launch of the competition version of the Jaguar XJ220 designated XJ220C. The car was developed by TWR and Jaguar Sport for GT racing. Examples of the XJ220C were to be made available for sale with a price tag of £ 380.000. The twin turbocharged 3.5 Litre V6 engine has been developed to produce over 850 hp on maximum boost.With a weight of approximately 2,300 lbs (1043 kg) this car has a 0-60 mph time of about 2,9 seconds and a topspeed over 220 mph. It is believed that a total of four XJ220c were constructed by TWR and a further six XJ220s road going variants were built.

Three works carss were entered in Category 4 (GT Class) for the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours Race. This car N°50 was driven by John Nielsen and David Couthard. The Jaguar N)50 finished having completed 306 laps (averaging 173 kph or 102 mph) and was the first car in its class to take the chequered flag.

Despite being the winner, tha car was disqualified several weeks later for an alledged technical infringement relating to the lack of catalytic converters during the race. An appeal by TWR was not accepted on the grounds that it had been lodged out of time.

related article Car Review Jaguar XJ220 1988-1994

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