From February 3 to 7, 2016,the Rétromobile in Paris will once again open its doors to all car enthusiasts and anyone else interested in exceptional automobiles. In addition to three fascinating speed record vehicles, the 41st edition of the renowned trade fair will also be showcasing seven classic cars that were launched in 1976, the year of the first edition of the Rétromobile and are therefore celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.
It was in 1976
1976 was the year in which Steve Jobs founded Apple, in which Niki Lauda's Ferrari went off the track at the Nürburgring and burst into flames, in which the first Air France flight to Rio de Janeiro took off and in which a crazy enthusiast organized the first classic car show: the Rétromobile.
In the same year, Renault replaced its 7CV with the new R14, Mercedes presented the new W123, BMW unveiled the elegant six-series coupé (E24), Citroën introduced a new, overhauled version of the CX.Citroën presented a new overhauled version of the CX, while Alfa Romeo showed off its elegant "Alfasud Sprint" coupé, Alpine unveiled the A310 with a V6 engine and Volkswagen hit the market like a bomb with the first VW Golf GTI.
All of these vehicles are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, a reason to celebrate, according to the French magazine "Youngtimer", which is bringing them all together on one podium at the Rétromobile 2016.
Three record-breaking vehicles in action
Speed has always been the goal of all car manufacturers worldwide and this has not changed to this day. This year, Rétromobile will present three record-breaking vehicles in action, combining the beauty of the classics with the incredible stories behind the vehicles. All of these vehicles were created by mechanical artists who wanted to inspire people and were looking for a sensation.
The oldest
The oldest of these record-breaking cars is the 1903 Napier, but it is also the oldest British racing car to survive to this day. One of the events it took part in was the famous Gordon Bennett Cup in 1903, but when Charles Jarrott tried to steer the car while accelerating, the race ended in a ditch. Charles and his co-driver survived the accident with serious injuries and the car was also badly damaged. The race was won by Belgian racing driver Camille Jenatzy in a Mercedes. He was the first man to break the 100 km/h barrier in the electric car La Jamals Contente in 1899. The Napier was then shipped to America, where it remained until 1987 before being sold to a museum in Beaulieu. To excite the public, the Napier will also be on display in action. The spectators will also get to hear the sound of the brute 7.7 L 4-cylinder engine.
The fabulous story of the Darracq V8
Who remembers the day when a car came very close to the 200 km/h limit for the very first time? This event took place in Florida 110 years ago. During this time, all manufacturers were working on vehicles that could break the speed record. In 1905, Darracq from the Parisian suburb of Suresnes was also eagerly working on the development. Mechanic Ribeyrolles combined two 4-cylinder engines in a single crankcase and thus designed the first V8 engine, which was to make the car faster than ever before. In 1906, French racing driver Victor Degomeot set off on a demonstration lap. He used the full power of the 200 hp and reached a speed of 197 km/h. This legendary vehicle is also started during an outdoor demonstration and shows the power of its V8 engine.
The "Beast of Turin"
Some vehicles are remembered for their size and their history. The Fiat S76 is one of these vehicles. The vehicle was built in 1911 to beat the existing speed record of the very powerful Blitzen-Benz. In 1911, the Fiat S76 got stuck in the sand on Saltburn beach, ending its fast run at 180 km/h. The car was then sold to the Russian prince Boris Soukhanov. He finally succeeded in beating the Blitzen-Benz record in 1913 with a speed of more than 210 km/h.
Due to its heavy weight, however, it was very difficult to keep the car in a straight line. The car was therefore sent back to Turin shortly afterwards. From there it was sold to Mexico and later to Australia. Where the S76 was completely destroyed in a terrible accident. Fiat then built a second S76, which was almost forgotten in an Australian garage after the 1920s. However, the car was restored to roadworthy condition and so visitors to the Rétromobile can also experience the "Beast" in action.
Everything else you need to know about the Rétromobile can be found on the website. Tickets can already be purchased there for 16 euros. Admission is free for children under the age of 12. The fair is open on Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 to 22:00, on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00.
