The biggest old-timer trade show in Europe took place in Paris once again and it was very interesting to attend.
Unless you have been hiding under a rock, it is now clear that the classic car market is weakening (see our post outlook 2016).
We were even cautious already in the end of 2015 (see post here).
According to a well informed expert prices are down at least 20% across the board since last year. In some cases even more. Vintage Ferrari, supercars, Aston martins, Mercedes Gullwings – all are suffering from a hangover of the rapid price increases that we saw the last five years.
Some dealers are still not waking up to the ‘new reality’ and have set very aggressive prices for their cars. But the party is over.
While prices are adjusting to the new reality-there were some rare and spectacular cars for sale at Retromobile and rather than comment on the market (which is in a clear decline) lets enjoy the pictures.
We start off with a superb Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Daytona built specifically for the 24hr race at Le Mans.
Not only is this car hyper rare – it is one of the most beautiful race cars ever built. This car was at Fiskens who had perhaps one of the best line-up of cars at Retromobile.
The back of this car is equally as beautiful. Powerful. Strong and meant to do one thing: Race.
Fiskens also had a divine 1948 Alfa 6c Competition that raced at the Mille Miglia (third place) in 1949 and Targa Florio. The cord seats were to die for and the interior with the large Jaeger gauges and large rev counter was extremely attractive and caught my attention. A superb car indeed.
Another car that caught our eye was this divine XKSS Jaguar (one of only 17 made) at Lukas Hühni – one of the most important car dealers in the world. The color of white suited this car extremely well.
The XKSS is perhaps my favourite Jaguar – not because Steve McQueen owned one but because it is such an elegant sports/race car. The rudge wheels are original to this car.
Staying with British cars – this beautiful Aston Martin DB4 was either a series II or III car judging by the tail-lights.
The last British car we show is a superb Bentley once owned by Lady Rothschild while living in New York.
Retromobile was not only about classic cars but also about art, drawing and photography of cars. Like this superb photograph of de Portago and his 1956 Ferrari 250 TDF car driving in the tour de France.
The 250 TDF received its name ‘Tour De France or TDF’ due to this very car winning this rally in 1956. The photograph is by Rene Pari and the gallery who displayed this work is ‘Art speed gallery’ based out of Belgium.
Lets get back to physical cars. This superb off-white 300SL Gullwing alloy car (only 29 were made) was a clear star at Retromobile. Don’t you love the plaid seats of the interior (which was original to the car). This car was at JD Classics.
Staying with Mercedes, this was one of the nicest colors I have ever seen for a Roadster. A beautiful ‘azzuro’ (light blue). This car belonged to the son of Pablo Picasso. The side air vents have to be one of the nicest in the world. For me even more beautiful than that of the 300SL Gullwing.
Another car that was an absolute dream was this 300SL roadster once owned by Clark Gable. Also seen at HK Engineering.
Next up- Ferrari- a brand dear to my heart. I got to peek inside this nice 250 SWB. This was at Thiessen’s stand.
Another nice Ferrari for sale was this beautiful Short nose 275 GTB. The short nose versions are more beautiful than the long nose version in my view.
This Barchetta Ferrari 340 MM below will be auctioned at RM at Amelia Island in March. It had beautiful Jaeger instruments.
I personally never liked the Daytona. Too square and boxy for my taste. But I always loved the Daytona seats. They are superb!
Lets move on to Porsche which was well represented at Retromobile. This sublime white RS 2.7 in blue writing has only four owners from new and was priced at € 850’ooo. The white with the blue writing and blue ‘fuchs’ wheels are my favourite combination.
Another beautiful Porsche was this completely unrestored and original 904. This car had plenty of patina.
The next Porsche could well be one of the most iconic. The interior is so perfect. Simple and just the bare necessary to drive. 356 Speedster 1950s.
This Porsche below was a unique Prototype. Only one of them made.
Moving on to other Italian cars. Maserati & Lamborghini. This Lamborghini Miura was painted in silver which you rarely see.
Below one of the most beautiful Maserati ever made: A 1950’s Maserati A6G2000 Zagato. The interior was an absolute dream. I hope you like the white piping as much as I do.
The last car was probably in many ways the best car at Retromobile, at least in terms of beauty and rarity. It was this sublime prototype 206 Dino.
A stunning car from the front as well. Notice the nice 904 Porsche in the background.
We look forward to Retromobile 2017.
