Unique and special features at the Rétromobile 2013
02/10/2013
When you stroll through the stands at Rétromobile, you are amazed at how many unique and special vehicles you can see. There is hardly an exhibit that is not described with at least one superlative or uniqueness. And it doesn't even make a difference whether it's a million-dollar sales object with an exciting history or an inexpensive classic from the past.
The only Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL that Françoise Sagan ever owned, for example, went to a new owner at Artcurial for a maximum bid of just 10,000 euros. The only Alfa Romeo Abarth 1000 (pictured above) that Colani coachbuilt could not be sold in 2009 for around 40,000 euros; today it is probably a little more expensive.
One of five Citroën CX Orphée Cabriolets built in 1983/1984 was an exhibition vehicle at the 1984 Paris Motor Show, and it was precisely this car that was on display at the Rétromobile.
And there is only one racing car that has won both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in two incarnations, namely the Jaguar XJR 12 (picture below, car in the background), which was once born as the XJR 9 and rebuilt for the 1990 season.
A certain Pierre Ferry built his own racing "Barquette" as a one-off in 1955.
Almost every classic has its own history, its special features, you just have to make the effort to research them. Be it a special color combination, interesting owners, special conversions, event participations or other happenings, at the end of the day, every classic car is unique.
A comprehensive report on the Rétromobile will follow soon, we have already published in detail about the Artcurialand Bonhams auctions.
