A Beutler Cabriolet from 1959 marks the beginning of the 70-year history of the DS - with a special connection to Switzerland. The fully open five-seater, which was rebuilt in Thun, will complement the exhibition with almost all Citroën D models. On the exhibition parking lot reserved for classic cars, the organizers of Dakota Events, led by Dominique Durussel and his partners, aim to welcome at least 70 Citroën DS from visitors who have arrived. Thanks to the excellent transport links to the Palexpo halls, there are plenty of train connections as well as visitor parking spaces.
Although its relocation to Geneva was criticized at the beginning, especially in German-speaking Switzerland, the successor to OTM Fribourg does justice to its new location. Following last year's special theme of "Geneva vehicle manufacturers", the book "Le Siècle des Dufaux", written by Geneva-based author Daniel Charles, will be presented at RetroMecanika for the first time this year. The first volume of the double volume is dedicated to the Geneva brothers Armand and Henri Dufaux, the aviation pioneers and founders of the Motosacoche motorcycle brand. Book 2 traces the history of their cousins Fréderic and Charles Dufaux. By 1907, they had tried their hand at building racing cars and luxury automobiles. As one of the first comprehensive works on the subject of Dufaux, one can look forward to many details. Some episodes, particularly from the lives of the two car pioneers, will shed new light on their story. The double volume is written in French and German.
Thierry Dubois will also be taking part in Geneva for the second time. The French comic artist is a descendant of the famous Belgian school of comic drawing (Tintin, Spirou and the like), an enthusiastic Ford T driver and an outspoken car enthusiast. He has a special love for the French Nationale 7, the old vacation road from Paris to Menton. He is responsible for numerous projects along the route, including the Lapalisse embankment. Dubois is also the designer of the RetroMecanika poster motif and will be signing his works - comic books - on site. He will be doing this together with Michel Janvier, who has published comics about Jo Siffert and François Cevert in the same edition. The announcement that a kind of racing game is to be organized in the context of this "Bande Dessinées" through the hall is something to look forward to.
Everything that drives and an auction
According to the organizers, all historic road vehicles will be represented at Swiss RetroMecanika. Some intrepid bikers will be on hand with historic bicycles, preferably from Geneva, and the Jura motorcycle brand Condor from Courvaivre will have its own exhibition. Even heavy goods vehicles will be making an appearance in the huge Palexpo hall - known as the venue for the sadly defunct Geneva Motor Show. Several Saurers and a full-size, historic Hess city bus from Geneva's public transport company will be on display at the exhibition.
There will also be around 160 stands from dealers from Switzerland and neighboring France, club stands and the presence of the "Veteran Car Club Suisse Romand" VCCSR, the largest cross-brand association in French-speaking Switzerland. The concept of the trade fair auction will also be continued. As was the case for the first time last year, partner Arteal will be auctioning off cars in the lower and middle price ranges on the Saturday of the fair.
A classic car tour will also take place on Sunday as part of RetroMecanika. The start and finish point is the Palexpo exhibition hall.
Further information on the most important classic car fair in French-speaking Switzerland can be found on the organizer's website.
