From February 7 to 11, 2018, the Rétromobile in Paris will once again open its doors to classic car enthusiasts from all over the world. Three interesting special shows have already been announced.
Abarth - with Swiss help
The Italian racing car brand with the scorpion, which was reborn 10 years ago, overtook all the big names during the post-war boom. This amazing adventure will be told during the Rétromobile Paris with 22 models from the collection of the Swiss Engelbert Möll.
On March 31, 1949, a partnership was registered between Carlo Abarth and Armando Scagliarini and thus Abarth & C was born. As compensation from his former employer, Abarth received five Cisitalias, which he rebuilt and raced under the Abarth name. In addition to developing racing cars and racing, Abarth was also involved in the manufacture of accessories to improve the performance of vehicles for mass distribution.
The Cisitalias that Abarth had converted took part in the Mille Miglia Open Road endurance race for the first time in 1950, where they finished fifth overall.
The Turin Motor Show of the same year served as the launch pad for the first independent Abarth - the Type 204 A Berlinetta Monza Vignale. Bertone, Ghia, Boano, Michelotti, Pininfarina, Vignale and Zagato - the largest Italian coachbuilders - contributed their craftsmanship to the Abarth vehicles. Although Fiat provided most of the basic mechanics in the cars, Abarth also had relationships with Alfa Romeo, Simca and Renault.
On October 15, 1971, Fiat announced that it was buying up and integrating Abarth. The Scorpio now represented the sports model label of the Fiat Group. In October 1979, just as the Abarth cars were enjoying success at many rallies, Carlo Abarth died in Vienna.
In 1981, Abarth & C. ceased to exist within the Fiat Group and at the end of 1986, Abarth went into hibernation with the discontinuation of Lancia Group B rally activities. It was not until the 2007 Geneva Motor Show that the Abarth name was reborn.
The heroes of Montlhéry
The golden age of the Linas-Montlhéry circuit will be commemorated by a special show featuring record-breaking vehicles that set records in 1927, 1933 and 1965, namely the Voisin des Records, the Yacco Petite Rosalie and the Peugeot 404 Diesel.
Another dozen or so cars and motorcycles will document the history of the record-breaking circuit.
Youngtimers of French provenance
For the 41st Rétromobile, the magazine "Youngtimer" is devoting a special show to cult French cars built between 1970 and 1990.
A Citroën CX Préstige, a Matra-Simca Bagheera Courrèges, a Peugeot 406 Coupé, the Renault Supercinq Baccara, the Renault Avantime and an MVS Venturi are to be honored.
Further information can be found on the website.