This rear taillight from a Facel Vega is oh-so-stylish. What could be more Retro?
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
This year the Editor asked me to just submit everything that peaked my interest at Retro. Fat chance, for to truly be able to show you all the cars that peaked my interest would take several editions of VeloceToday.
I’ve been to Retro many times now, and still the language barrier for me was sometimes an issue but the cars on display were superb, as was the food; there are not many shows were one can enjoy oysters and a glass of champagne from a vendors stall.
The Editor and I wish to apologize for the huge number of photos below…something on the order of 43 but we lose count. And that is just a fraction which resided in my camera data card when I returned home. However, we broke up the subject matter thusly:
Art, Etcetera
French cars
British/German/Spanish
Italian
And looking back, even though myself, Graham Gauld, Hugues Vanhoolandt and Alessandro Gerelli all attended Retro and turned in reports to VeloceToday, there are few if any images of exactly the same car.
That gives one an idea of how immense and diverse Retromobile is. And it gets bigger every year.
Finally, if there are factual errors, the information for the most part is taken from the individual placards. In several cases we eliminated photos due to questionable statements. Spelling errors, if any (heavens forbid)can be blamed on us.
Art Etcetera
I was very taken by this tin plate Bugatti model as it just seemed to capture the times and subject so well.
Paul Smith’s vibrant art work needs a large wall on which to display it.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta model: If you crouch down to look closely at the models on sale at the show you could almost swear they were real cars.
This five-piece painting of a Ferrari P4 almost had my pal reaching for his credit card.
Alas, these Macaroon cookies on the Bugatti club of France stand were just for display.
I really enjoy looking at the wide choice of classic posters on sale each year. Unfortunately a lack of wall space and funds means I can only look.
Simply gorgeous Maserati T151 model.
A pair of pistons from a Matra MS9 V12 engine. The same dealer also had a Lamborgini F1 engine for sale.
This stunning photograph of Fangio driving the Mercedes W196 at Reims in 1955 displayed by Art Speed Gallery stopped me in my tracks.