Paris Salon 2008:Lambos and Citroens abound.
Photos by Alessandro Gerelli
Renault Nervastella 1935 (body by Lecocq).
The new Ferrari California has had a great success, as all the production (2500 per year) for the next 2 years has already been sold.
Alfa Romeo 8C coupe.
Alfa Romeo 8C spider.
A new version of the Fiat Abarth 500 is called Abarth Assetto Corsa and is ready for competition. The production run will be only 49 cars.
The big box with all the required components to modify the basic Abarth in an Assetto Corsa version.
Lamborghini Estoque: a new Lamborghini with 4 doors after the Faena by Frua of 1978, the Marco Polo by Giugiaro (1982) and the LM. It will be in competition with the future 4 doors by Porsche and Aston Martin.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 coupe.
The V10 engine of the Gallardo.
Alfa Romeo MiTo.
In a separate hall there was an historical exhibition of old taxis from all over the world: this is an Italian Fiat 600 Multipla of 1958.
Fiat 600 D Jolly taxi by Ghia (1963) used in the Isle of Capri.
The economic crisis has already started in France and there was a strike of employees of car industries around and even inside the salon.
Near the Marche aux Puces (flea market) of Paris in the same period of the Salon, there was an exhibition of exceptional vintage and modern cars: I found some interesting Citroens.
Citroen 2CV prototype TPV 1939.
Citroen 2CV Charleston 1990.
Citroen Traction Avant 11BL 1939.
Citroen prototype SM 1973.
Citroen Cbuggy 2000.
Citroen Xara 1999.
The credit “Body by Lecocq”for the 1935 Renault Nervastella in Alessandro Gerelli’s report is funny. André Lecocq was a famous restorer in St Ouen (Paris) in the 70s but not one of the great French “carrossiers”. It’s an American who once put forward the label “Body by Lecocq” in order to valorise some car he had for sale. I regret I can’t remember the car which was said to be “by Lecocq” at Pebble Beach! Most likely that Nervastella was bodied by Renault’s department “Carrosserie Stellaâ€.
Just being an anorak I guess, but you could almost add the mighty Chrysler Portofino concept car to your list of 4-door Lambos!
Whilst I’m at it, is it just me or doesn’t the Estoque’s front end treatment share a certain resemblance to Spada Vetture Sport’s Codatronca?