art at retromobile

Jonathan Sharp’s Retromobile 2017

February 28, 2017 By pete

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.

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Retro Auctions: RM Sotheby’s, February 8

February 28, 2017 By pete

Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 1934, estimate 3.8-5 million euro, sold 3.9 million euro.

Photos and captions by Alessandro Gerelli

The first Retro related auction was the RM Sotheby’s held at the Place Vauban on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. The 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3, chassis 50006, sold for €3,920,000 and was the highest sale price of the day. Thirteen Porsches from one collection sold well and was a major feature of the RM auction. Below, Gerelli presents the Italian and French cars: an Alfa Montreal, and a Lancia B20 GT coupe and a Giulietta Spider that sold for 476000 euros, plus much more.

Exchange rate, 2-28-2017: 1 US Dollar=.94 Euro

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Retro Auctions: Bonhams, February 9

February 28, 2017 By pete

Simca 1000 coupè Bertone 1967, estimate 10-15000 euro, sold at 11500 euro.

Photos and captions by Alessandro Gerelli

The Bonhams Retromobile event took place at the Grand Palais on Thursday, February 9. Many of the Italian/French items did not sell, but this is not an indication of the overall sales percentage.

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Retro Auctions: Artcurial, February 10

February 28, 2017 By pete

Ferrari Dino 206P Speciale 1966, estimate 4-8 million euro, sold at 4390400 euro.

Photos and captions by Alessandro Gerelli

This year Alessandro Gerelli covered all three auctions held at or around Retromobile. The Artcurial Auction below was held last, on Friday on the same complex as Retromobile. This auction resulted in the highest price paid for a car during the auctions at Retro – the unique Dino 206 P berlinetta speciale of 1965 by Pininfarina sold for about 4.4 million euros against an estimate from 4 to 8 million euros and no reserve!

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Four Guys at Retro: Sharp on Art

February 12, 2015 By pete

From the Baillon barn find, a Facel Vega interior.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp
Click on pics to enlarge

It was whilst sitting in the comfort of a Eurostar train returning from the fortieth edition of what is arguably the best classic car show in the world that my pal and I got to reminiscing about our first trip to Retromobile around about 34 years ago.

In those days, circa 1981, we could not afford to take time off from work; we decided we would leave home on the Saturday evening to attend the show on the Sunday. No Eurostar or channel tunnel in those days, no Internet, and no great plan as to how we were going to actually get there. 6 pm arrives and we piled into my pal’s company Nissan Sunny and departed for Dover for the ferry. We parked the car on the top floor of the multi story car park, (I cannot remember why it was the top floor), and found out the time of the next ferry. We must have waited some time as the ferry crossing only took an hour and we arrived in France at about 2am. The next train to Paris did leave until 4am. It was not a high speed train unlike nowadays but a normal suburban train with bolt upright seats covered in vinyl and it seemed to stop at every station. I also think we had to change trains as I do recall being stuck on a cold dark French railway station in the middle of nowhere for an hour or so.

Anyway we finally pull into Gard Du Nord in Paris and work out how to use the Metro. As none of us spoke anything more than schoolboy French, this was quite a feat. The Metro is crowded and my pal nearly lost his wallet to a pick pocket but we finally arrive at the show. We must have been impressed with what we saw but all I can now recall is that I bought a model kit of the Ferrari Pinin which I must get round to building one day. At the shows end it was time to take the same journey in reverse. By the time we arrive in England my Nissan Sunny-driving pal is having to be kept awake by the combined efforts of the rest of us. I recall putting the key in my front door at 6am. Then it was back to work for 9am Monday morning.

This year it’s an easy one hour drive to Ebbslfleet station and then a comfortable train seat for a few hours to Paris. A great show, an excellent dinner and a comfortable hotel for the night. Another morning at the show, lovely lunch. Then the same journey in reverse but this time it does have the added excitement of a bomb scare and controlled explosion at Gare Du Nord. Much improved, however, and easier on much older enthusiast.

I hope you will enjoy my look at the Art of Retro.

No comment necessary.

Grand Prix models

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