I missed Retromobile last year as I attended Cavallino, but this year I made it back and have some observations.
First Retromobile might not be the biggest classic car trade show (that belongs to Techno classica Essen) but it is the most important and international classic car trade show in the world. The fact that a very important dealer – (Kidston SA) decided to exhibit for the first time ever – tells you just how important Retromobile is. Another well known dealer (Girardo & Co) decided to take over a large space left behind by JD Classics, this also says something about the allure of and power of Retromobile. His space increased drastically and Max Girardo is making a big bet that Retromobile will be important for years to come for his business.
Both these dealers know one thing: Only Retromobile can attract the largest collectors in the world. The biggest dealers are also present and with multiple auction houses like RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams and Artcurial holding an auction – there are car events built around the Retromobile fair. Like my friend Etienne from Journeesdautomne says, ‘it is now a full Paris car week with not only auctions but also dinner parties, prize giving ceremonies like Peter Auto, Peninsula best of the best cermonies’. This in turn attracts experts and judges and just about anybody who is somebody in the classic car world.
Think of it like the network effect that automatically draws everyone there. The collectors know that the most important dealers will be there. The dealers know the most important collectors are there. And that in turn draws everyone else to come as well.
Secondly, some cool technological advances seen at Retromobile: Both Kidston and Fiskens had very cool electronic pads that allowed you to look at the cars information electronically and see pictures too. Yes, I am sure brokering cars is still mostly a people’s business, but it a nice touch for visitors to gain knowledge of the cars exhibited by using these new screens.
Third, I noticed another interesting observation.
Two of the biggest dealers (biggest in terms of the selling the world’s rarest and most expensive cars) both showed one brand of cars to display at Retromobile. They each choose an Italian brand (one choose Lancia and the other Lamborghini) to show only those cars. I wonder if it was coincidence or simply that the market is shifting to those that are specializing in certain brand of cars.
Maybe it was simply a statement that both of these gentlemen (both are based in Switzerland) love a particular brand. I do find it attractive and positive as both presumable deal heavily with Ferrari on a daily basis but choose nonetheless to show two other brands that are also Italian but are more niche in nature.
Lastly, I want to say this: I think Retromobile has one large advantage that makes it sustainable as being the most international of classic car fairs.
It is based in Paris.
This will always ensure that the biggest collectors but also dealers, restorers, and authors all attend the show. Paris has an unfair competitive advantage in that it is very tempting to make Retromobile a perfect excuse to visit Paris – the city which offers so much.
In this respect I will show more pictures of Parisian culture – than cars for a change.
Arriving in Paris is was a glorious day. Below the interior ministry building near Faubourg St Honore.
First stop the Hermes shop to be inspired by true French luxury.
Hermes representing true French luxury (even if I don’t care for gloves very much).
Then its over to Place Vendome to browse watches.
Place Vendome takes my breath away every time I see it.
Lunch at the legendary Ritz hotel which recently opened after a multi year renovation.
The bar inside at the restaurant is very similar how it used to be in the old days.
Around 7:30 Tuesday evening it was time for a preview of Retromobile.
First dream car I saw was this 5000 GT Maserati. It is a rare (24 examples) and powerful beast made initially for the Shah of Persia.
Some dealers (Fiskens and Kidston) demonstrated that they offer the latest tech trends by installing large electronic pads to allow visitors to learn more about the cars.
A very cool idea!
Below a rare one off Lamborghini roadster Miura (not for sale but private collection) with original paint color.
Staying with Lamborghini how about this dream Miura? It is not an ordinary Miura but rather 1/5 known SVJ (J standing for Jota).
The original interior of this rare Miura SVJ was a delight. The color not so much but the smell – it was as if it left the factory back in the 1970s.
Demonstrating he is the king of brokering rare Lamborghini, Kidston hat not one SVJ- but two of them at this stand (both private collection).
It was worth coming to Retromobile just for this alone! The Miura SVJ below was originally owned by the Shah of Persia.
The interior still original (hard to believe given it is white and in such good condition) – this car is the most valuable Lamborghini in the world. There are only 5 known SVJs and this is the most important one by far.
Want to a see a Lamborghini badge that was on a 350 GT, but is pre-production?
Before doing cars Lamborghini was a tractor maker. I personally prefer these badges than the ones later found on cars.
For the Aston Martin fans – what about this DB4 GT. You can tell it is a GT version by the redline rev indicator.
To restore or not to restore – that is the question for this 300SL Gullwing seen at HK Engineering.
The next morning I had breakfast in one of the Grand Hotels in Paris – the Plaza Athenee.
In Paris everything is served with attention to detail. They have a culture for elegance even for breakfast.
I hate shopping but in Paris – it is a pleasure.
A shirt being altered at Cifonelli – the well known Italian suit maker based in Paris.
They have a large Atelier on Rue Marbeuf just for bespoke suits.
Different fabrics as far as the eye can see.
Last stop was at Dior – for gift shopping when I spotted the dream couple ‘Bogart & Bacall’ Bacall who was a Dior customer in the 1950s.
I look forward to Retromobile in 2020.
