Paris, 06 – 15 February 2009
The 2009 Retromobile classic motor show was the 34th running of this annual event at the Porte de
Versailles in Paris, its longevity is a testimony to its tremendous popularity. It attracts enthusiasts and
collectors from all parts of the globe, and has established itself as the European winter international
meeting point.
Green is Good - Every year the organisers come up with innovative themes and this year was no
exception, with an eclectic display of alternative energy vehicles that have been produced over the
years. This was particularly apt at this time, when we are all being encouraged to “go green”, and
showed some of the forerunners to today’s green technology. The varied selection of vehicles
presented included one of the largest exhibits ever shown at the show, the 1879 tram car from the
“Tramway de Nantes” which ran on compressed air. Another exhibit was a replica of the electric
powered “Jamais Contente” originally built in 1899, which was the first car to achieve 100kph on 01
May 1899 at Acheres in the Yvelines district south of Paris. This bomb sgaped projectile was powered
by twin electric motors fed by no less than eighty batteries! Amongst the other “green” exhibits there
was the appropriately liveried 1939 electric delivery van used by Harrods of Knightsbridge, and an
electric powered Renault Dauphine, whilst the exhibits outside included an Everett steam car from
1900.
Citroen hits 90 – The first Citroen car, the Type A, hit the roads in 1919, and was the progenitor of the
innovative marque which has produced a number of ground breaking cars over the years, including
the Traction Avant from 1934, which featured front wheel drive and unitary body construction, both
great innovations for the time. In fact the gestation period while the car was developed nearly brought
the company to its knees, but once the package was fully developed it became a great success and
laid the foundations for many of the mass production cars we know today. Citroen’s most famous car
is undoubtedly the “Deux Chevaux”, the classless corrugated body people‘s car, with its twin cylinder
engine. Further up the scale was the DS, which went into production in 1955, and once again broke
new ground with its wind cheating styling, plus the introduction of hydro-pneumatic suspension which
provided a supremely comfortable ride over the cobbled streets that abounded in France at the time.
Apart from the Citroen’s in the main feature display, there were a number of rare Chapron bodied
examples in the Bonhams auction, including a 1974 SM Opéra limousine, of which only eight models
were built.
Bonhams Auction – After their disappointing Gstaad auction in December, Bonhams were obviously
hoping for better things in Paris. The auction was held during the evening of the first Saturday of the
show, and featured a wide variety of offerings, including motorcycles and memorabilia. The star of the
selection was undoubtedly the very original and totally unrestored 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante
Coupé, originally owned new by Earl Howe, and which had been dormant and hidden away in a
garage in the north-east of England since 1955. As befitted its continuous history and impeccable
provenance it made strong money, eventually being hammered at 3,417,500 Euros. Another Bugatti,
the 1913 5 litre Type 18 Sports model, known as “Black Bess” also made strong money, selling for
2,427,500 Euros. Most of the cars sold were within or close to the estimates, whilst a 1955 OSCA 1.5
Sports Spider made an above estimate 370,000 Euros, whilst a rare Citroen DS23 Cabriolet made a
nearly double the estimate 337,500 Euros. There was a selection of colourful advertising vans used
in various editions of the Tour de France cycle race, which were offered without reserve, but
unfortunately for the vendor all but one sold for well below the estimate. However, the appeal of these
must be strictly limited to a specialist few. In the memorabilia section a Lalique “Chrysis” nude crystal
mascot sold for 5,980 Euros, almost twice the high estimate. All figures quoted include buyer’s
premium. Overall the sale must be adjudged a success with 78+% of the memorabilia selling, and
70+% of the vehicle lots went to new homes.
Et All – Apart from the items already mentioned, the show features a wide range of one make club
stands, numerous prestige classic car vendors, a section devoted to model car sellers, a large
autojumble area, an expansive gallery of original artwork, national and international booksellers, tools
and accessories, classic car insurance, in fact almost anything associated with the automobile is
represented. At the end of the day it is the rich diversity of exhibits, captivating atmosphere, and
socialising with friends and acquaintances at almost every turn, that provides Retromobile with its
endearing Gallic charm.
Keith Bluemel
02/2009
Paris, 6 – 15 February 2009
Ferrari Models On Display
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