Retromobile 2015

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.

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Grand Prix models

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Four Guys at Retro: More from Graham Gauld

February 12, 2015 By pete

This B52 Lancia with Bertone coachwork designed by Michellotti back in 1952.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Last week I talked about some of the cars lined up at Retromobile in Paris; I must admit that I mostly walk past the more obvious stands with spectacular cars and items but rather tend to keep an eye open for cars that I have either met before or have interesting back stories, so to speak.

This week I would like to continue with some more observations. Take, for example, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 long tail that was on show. This was one of the last 33/2’s built. Design work on the Alfa tipo 33 can be traced back to 1964 when Alfa started out to produce a sports racing car around the 1570cc engine they had developed for the Giulia TZ2.

The first real 33 was produced in 1967 and was called the “Periscopio” named after the high periscope air intake behind the driver. It won first time out on a Belgian hill climb. By now it was a 2 liter V8 developed by Carlo Chiti.

Alfa and Autodelta entered the World Constructors Championship the following year and the car shaped up well against Ferrari and Porsche opposition. At Daytona that year Ugo Schuetz and Nino Vaccarella finishing fifth in this actual show car behind three Porsche 907’s and Jerry Titus’s Mustang. More importantly it was ahead of the other two 33/2 factory cars of Mario Andretti and Mario Casoni. This same car was to finish 4th at Le Mans with Ignazio Giunti and Nanni Galli.

The Alfa Romeo 33/2 long tail Daytona named after its fifth place at the 24 Hour race.

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Gauld at Retromobile

February 10, 2015 By pete

The Pegaso Le Mans Coupe on Gregor Fisken’s stand.

We’ll have a lot more from Retro, but here’s a sneak peak from the most senior of our correspondents at Retro this year….more from Gaul coming up as well! Ed.

Story and photos by Graham Gauld

Paris in February can really chill the blood and this year was no exception. However inside Retromobile – that truly great annual historic event – there were plenty of things to keep the blood warm and in my usual mooching round I came across a number of interesting cars and stories which in turn I hope will keep you warmly entertained.

Now, as my first journalistic efforts took place around 1952, the whole of the fifties saw me absorb everything, and one marque which really caught the imagination was a car made by a Spanish truck company called Pegaso. It was a sensation when it was introduced; it was designed by Wilfredo Ricart, formerly of Alfa Romeo, and just sixty-eight of them were made. The company was in business for just six and a half years as the cost of building them was greater than the income from selling them.

The Retromobile organizers went to a lot of trouble to gather together the largest display of Pegasos I think anyone has ever seen, as they had twelve in a special area that my colleagues will no doubt photograph for you. But, there was a thirteenth Pegaso at the Show, and to me the most interesting. It was my Scottish pal, Gregor Fisken,who had it on his stand and it was one that was raced.

Fisken holds open the trunk lid on the Pegaso to show the twin fuel tanks.

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