Several special exhibitions also make the first major classic car fair of the season a worthwhile event. This year's Rétromobile is dedicated to Formula 1 under the tricolor, covering almost 60 years of history of teams and successes with French roots in the premier class. This includes the involvement of Matra at the end of the 1960s with the team of Ken Tyrell and Jacky Stewart as drivers, the successes of Ligier, the pioneering spirit of Renault with the first turbo F1, drivers such as Jabouille, Arnoux, Alesi and Prost. In addition, 600 square meters of exhibition space offer room for 16 F1 cars, including the Matra MS 80 of world champion Jacky Stewart, the first turbo-winning car Renault RS 10 from 1979 or the car with which Michael Schumacher became world champion for the second time: The Bennetton-Renault from 1995. Also on display will be the 1997 World Championship winner, the Williams-Renault FW 19 of the Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.
Progress thanks to caterpillar drive
Another focus of the "Rétro" is the work of the inventor and entrepreneur Adolphe Kégresse. Around 200 patents can be attributed to him, but the highlight was the invention of the caterpillar drive. To mark the centenary of the Croisière Noire across the Sahara in 1925, Rétromobile is presenting no fewer than 12 examples of the vehicles created in collaboration with André Citroën. These include originals from the Himalayan expedition Croisière Jaune of 1931 and 1934 from the Citroën collection and the Musée des 24 Heures du Mans of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest ACO. Visitors to Paris can also expect a lavish setting with desert sand, a tent and all the ambience that contributed to the fascination of this hugely popular undertaking.
On and off-venue auctions
Two auctions are planned with the official partner Artcurial on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8, both starting at 3 pm. A total of nine auction houses have announced themselves as organizers or exhibitors at the Rétromobile.
However, further auctions outside the "Rétro" in Paris have been announced for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the run-up to the fair: Sotheby's is already inviting visitors to the Louvre on Tuesday, February 4 and will continue its auction the following day, while Bonhams will use the Grand Palais for an auction on February 6.
Dealers, clubs and more
64 parts dealers, 89 of the most renowned classic car dealerships, 9 auction houses and 16 vehicle restorers are on the list of exhibitors, as well as clubs, manufacturers, associations and institutions. The 49th Rétromobile should therefore fully meet the expectations of visitors. The trade fair runs from Wednesday, February 5 to Sunday, February 9. On Wednesday and Friday the doors will be open from 10 am to 10 pm, on the other days from 10 am to 7 pm. All information and details can be found on the Rétromobile website
