Going to Retromobile has one big advantage. You are at the heart of the source.
What do I mean by this? One of the best things about going to Retromobile is that the entire world goes there. The biggest dealers. The biggest collectors. The most knowledgeable researchers, authors and bloggers. The biggest experts in automobile memorabilia.
What this of course means is that if you want to get a very good insight as to what is going on in the classic car world – Retromobile is the perfect venue. Let me share two things I noticed before I show you some pictures.
The first seems to be a common psychological problem among all collectors. The denial syndrome.
Although classic car prices have weakened from their peak in 2014 – something we predicted by the way (see our post here) – the sellers of cars have not really adjusted their expectations yet. One large dealer and insider told me that for many cars – sellers are just not accepting the reality that prices have declined from their peak. Unless your turning up with a 250 competition SWB with superb racing history or a Jaguar D type that has raced and won at Le Mans – the usual suspects like the Ferrari 275 GTB, 300SL Gullwings, Aston Martin DB4,5 and 6s are all still suffering from prices rising too fast too soon.
The second trend is something not entirely new – but one that I think might be gaining momentum.
I noticed an unusually large amount of 199os and later ‘supercars’ in stock (even if the cars were physically not there) of some well known dealers. I am talking about Enzo, F50, F40, Porsche 959 and GT2 etc. Ever since the RM Porsche mania last year – I feel this trend might be here for a while yet longer. It almost seems that the market for Porsche supercars and the last air cooled lines like the 964 and 993 special editions together with other supercars are ‘decoupling’ from the car market.
The auctions results around Retromobile confirm this trend again. Almost €1.3m for a Porsche 993 turbo convertible and €850K for 964 turbo is mind-blowing. These are cars that are barely 20 years old and were made in quite large numbers (referring to the 964). Now there are many reasons this trend is taking place. New generation buyers that grew up with these cars, the fact that these cars are drivable etc.
Is this trend sustainable? I will be writing a post on this very topic in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Some impressions from this years Retromobile.
Lets start with a great show that Heritage Trust put on for the brand Aston Martin.
Below Sir David Brown who would buy Aston Martin for close to nothing and firmly put the British carmaker on the map of creating world class luxury sports cars.
In case people forget that David Brown indeed also made tractors (like another great rival Ferruccio Lamborghini).
Here – one of two cars Eon productions used in the James Bond film Goldfinger. This car is owned by a well known Swiss collector.
Some very rare Astons were on hand. A DB5 convertible and DB4 vantage can be seen in this picture, both exceptionally rare and fine Astons.
Another view of these marvellous early DB cars from Aston Martin. Arguably the best period for Aston in terms of creativity and financial strength.
David Brown would have been happy at the great display put on.
Another great Aston Martin was on display at JD Classics. A DB2/4 Bertone spyder (one of three known spyders and the only road going one). The color was a dream.
Next a superb early 1967 Porsche 1967 – one of the first ever delivered. Notice the early type dashboard with the turquoise color.
The Targa reminds me of my childhood. The Targa name presumably comes from the Targa Florio race in Italy. Notice the soft rear window.
This 356 Porsche had an antenna that looked like a piece of art. Empire state building? I can see it (thank you Berlan for the hint).
What about this Carrera 2 Porsche for sale at Artcurial motorcars? One of my personal favourite Porsches of all time.
Our last Porsche is a sign of the times. A big fat badass Porsche 993 GT2. A superb car I have to admit and I do like the white color. For sale at Movendi.
Lets move on to something red and from Italy. Two dream Ferrari cars – both representing Pininfarina and Scaglietti at their best.
I did like the Air in-take of the 166 Ferrari spyder Corsa by Scaglietti very much.
Staying with Italy but moving on to Maserati – a 1962 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale spyder.
This particular car was rare because it had the 5 speed gearbox and triple weber carburettor set-up something that only early cars would have. I would buy this car only to use the beautiful gear shift with the Maserati emblem on it.
Next we move to a stunning GT 40 Mark III car in the most beautiful blue color you can imagine. It was a monster of a car and I loved the two outside filler caps (the other fuel cap was on the other side). Classic cars is all about details.
The luggage compartment was located underneath the rear bonnet. Yes – that box is the luggage compartment.
Allow me to show you another small detail. It is in my view the most beautiful air vent ever created. The 300SL Roadster.
This particular car was owned by Clark Gable and was for sale by HK Engineering (where my Gullwing comes from). Don’t you love the color?
On another 300 SL Roadster the owner decided to put in a nice old Jaeger clock inside.
Staying with interiors – don’t you love the instrument panel of old Bugatti’s?
If wood is not your preferred choice – how about this (also Bugatti). Notice the speedometer that goes clock wise but the rev counter does not.
Looking forward to Retromobile 2018.
