You shouldn't have missed it - concept car exhibition near Paris
02/12/2020
Those readers who, like us, were at the Rétromobile in Paris probably felt the same way. There was hardly any time to look left or right. And perhaps some of you, like us, noticed that there must be an interesting exhibition of concept cars somewhere, but after all, there was plenty to see at the Rétromobile.
Our reader Jon Winding-Sørensen then sent us some photos (including the three shown here) and once again vehemently pointed out the exhibition "Concept Car. Pure Beauty".
Looking back, it must be said that we should have taken the time to drive to the "Musée national de la Voiture" in the Château de Compiègne in the small town of Compiègne. Because what this small museum has put together is unique.
Not only has the entire history of the concept car been unrolled (and documented in an interesting exhibition catalog), but over two dozen rare vehicles have also been brought together and displayed throughout the château under unique conditions.
The ambience of this exhibition is exceptional, as are the exhibits.
Here is a list of the vehicles, sorted by year of manufacture:
- La Jamais Contente (1899) - record-breaking electric vehicle
- Motocyclette expérimentale by V. Antoine & Fils, Paul Kelecom (around 1904/1905)
- Leyat Hélica Sport (1921)
- Bugatti T28 (1921)
- Lurani Nibbio I (1935) - record vehicle
- MGC N34 (1938)
- L'Œuf by Paul Arzens (1942) - concept car (photo)
- Panhard Dynavia (1948) - concept car
- Moto Major 350 (1948) De Coucy (1948) - record-breaking vehicle
- REAF 50 (1950)
- Lambretta Siluro (1951)
- Piaggio Vespa Siluro (1951) - record-breaking motorcycle
- Socema-Grégoire (1952) - record-breaking vehicle and concept car (photo)
- Chrysler-Ghia Streamline X "Gilda" (1955) - concept car
- Linto Aeronautica Macchi 75 (1956)
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Spider Bertone (1956)
- Velam Isetta (1957) - record-breaking vehicle
- Fiat Stanguellini 1200 Spider "America" Bertone (1957) - concept car
- Plymouth-Ghia "Asimmetrica" Roadster (1961) - show car
- Chevrolet Corvair Testudo Bertone (1963) - show car
- MG EX 234 (1965) - concept car (photo)
- OSI Alfa Romeo Scarabeo II (1966)
- Mercedes-Benz C111-I (1969) - concept car
- Vauxhall SRV (1970)
- MOC Kawasaki (1975) - record car
Many illustrations and documents have been integrated into the exhibition. The description and the press documents alone show us that we have really missed something here.
If you are going to Paris again, there is still time to see the exhibition until March 23, 2020.
For those interested, here is the address of the museum and the exhibitionon the Internet.
