Every year Retro has a main theme, this year being speed record cars, many of which were provided by the Beaulieu museum.
But, of course we were there to cover the Italian cars at the show for our VeloceToday readers. The most attractive stand was provided by the Ferrari Club of France: the new Maserati Trofeo was presented together with a wonderful A6GCS of 1954 and a stunning Ferrari TR of 1957, chassis number 0704, the winner of Sebring in 1958 with Phil Hill and Peter Collins.
The Testa Rossa is in very original condition and conveyed a particular emotion to the visitors, who are used to see beautifully restored cars (and you never know how much of the original car is present anymore !).
Other Ferraris of interest was a 250 GT of 1955 with a Pininfarina body, delivered directly to Garage Francorchamps, a 250 Tour de France, a 250 series 1 cabriolet Pininfarina and finally a 275 GTB long nose of 1966, with chassis number 8209.
The Alfa Romeo club presented a very clean Alfa Giulia GTA 2000 and the incredible Alfa Bimotore (twin engines) of 1935 coming from the Alfa Romeo museum of Arese near Milano. Only two were built, by Enzo Ferrari together with engineers Bazzi and Rosselli. In other stands many interesting Alfa Romeos were displayed mainly for sale, including an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 of the early '50s with bodies of Touring and Pinifarina, a beautiful Giulietta SZ uovo (egg) and a Giulietta spider.
A few Fiats were seen in the exhibition hall. The pretty, and popular 850 spider by Bertone, and a well restored Topolino.
A Lancia Aurelia was looking for a new owner, one who wishes to start an important restoration project. Two Siatas made an appearance, a Siata 1400 Gran Sport of 1952 and an Amica of 1949.
Nice cars, many people, a lot of curious and rare collectables that justify a trip to Paris, even in winter time!
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Abarth 695SS as seen from the business end.
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A series of 6C2500s, this one from 1951.
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Alfa 6C2500, 1953.
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And the third Alfa 6C2500, a 1948.
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The Alfa Bimotor, truly a handful.
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Here's where they stuck the extra 8C engine.
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Leaving the front with the original placement intact. It ate tires.
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Alfa from the truly great to the truly petit--the 1960 1300 Zagato, extreme ovular.
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Alfa's very successful GTA, which gave it's name to the current and also
very successful GTA.
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The Paris Retro is the place to got to get enlightened.
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Ferraris were on display--this the 250GT PF Cabriolet.
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And a 250GT Pininfarina, reportedly delivered to Garage Francorchamps.
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This ex-Carlo Maria Abate Ferrari 250 GT LWB TDF serial #1333 GT sold on Saturday evening in Paris for over a million Euros including buyer's premium.
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Star of the show was this unrestored 250TR, S/N 0704, which spent most
of its life in the Ford Museum before going to Abba Kogan.
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Underrated but underpowered, the 850 Fiat Spider was nevertheless one
of the finest small car designs of the 20th century.
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A Lancia Aurelia, looking for a new owner with deep pockets.
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An A6GCS from 1954 with an unusual body. S/N 2071.
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The A6GCS with the standard Barchetta body style.
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Siata 1400 Gran Sport--quite a few made their way to the U.S. in the '50s.
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Another Siata, an Amica from 1949.
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