Retromobile: 50 years of car history... for sale!
Success for the event offering classic and sporty engines to the general public with a sub-30,000 section Debuts in New York in November
Now in its 50th year, the Retromobile trade fair held in Paris from 27 January to 1 February confirms its status as an unmissable moment for collectors and fans of classic and sports cars. The success of the public that flocked to the Expo Porte de Versailles is linked to the quality of the presentations by all players, not only the world's leading dealers, but also brand clubs, institutions and museums.
The Museo Nacional del' Automobile de Mulhouse, exceptional repository of Bugatti history (and not only...), surprised by bringing a train powered by four engines from the Bugatti Royale, a design that would still look good on a historic railway line, as well as several unique Bugatti cars, of course. Also noteworthy was the presentation of no less than nine BMW cars embellished with the work of nine artists from the 1970s with Alexander Calder, via Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons: unique and priceless works. Richard Mille has, as usual, been able to count on the unique Ferraris in the Maranello Museum.
The novelty for 2026 is a pavilion dedicated to today's supercars, with the presence of the most prestigious manufacturers, curiously enough in the same pavilion as the cars offered for less than 30,000 euros, a symbolic reminder that in this market, passion unites billionaires and more limited wallets.
Big International Dealers
It is impossible to summarise in a complete and impartial manner the very high quality of the vehicles proposed by the dealers, but having to choose the presentation most appropriate to the French context and original, first place goes to Alex Schutte, who gives great space to a trio of Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport 'dressed' by the three best French 'tailors' of the time: Saoutchik, Antem, and the most original version of the 'magicians' Figoni & Falaschi, whose vision comes closest to the uniqueness of art.
Gallery Aaldering also leaves some room for French coachbuilding with a black Delahaye 135M surrounded by a wide selection of Ferraris led by the millionaire 250 GT SWB, as well as a white 250 GT Lusso (at €1.4 million), and a Dino 246 GTS at €490,000, while no less than two Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadsters (black and red) are offered at €1.4 million each.
Already at the opening, no less than three valuable cars were sold: an American model Ferrari Daytona, a more recent Bugatti Veyron and, above all, the much sought-after Ferrari F40.
Speaking of Ferraris, Girardo & Co. dedicates the entire stand to the Prancing Horse, from the 1950s to the present day, with competition cars such as the 1963 Ferrari 275 P that won Le Mans twice, and elegant road cars such as the ruby red 1965 275 GTB that Belmondo once owned, as well as the 'usual' and highly sought-after limited edition 288GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo supercars, which continue to reach new record prices at recent auctions. Not to be outdone is the elegant presentation by Simon Kidston, who in addition to no less than two McLaren F1s, one road-going and one GTR (but road-legal), with prices in the tens of millions, also presents a rare and elegant Ferrari Daytona Spider and a historic Ferrari 166MM Touring.
