1929 Amilcar CGSS

1929 Amilcar CGSS at Retromobile 2018 in the Artcurial auction.

Pour plus de photos du Salon Retromobile 2018, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of the classic road and racing cars at the 2018 Retromobile in Paris, click here.

Amilcar, Saint-Denis, France.  Amilcar started producing cyclecars (small, lightweight and inexpensive cars) in 1920 and made a name for itself in the twenties for its sporty vehicles.  The name car from its financiers Emil Akar and Joseph Lamy but the driving technical force behind the marque were two engineers Edmond Moyet and André Morel.  Unusually, for a cyclecar producer, they made there own engines.  The cars were often entered in motor sport events and Morel won the 1922 Bol d'Or, a 24 hour race with a single driver, in 1922.    In 1927 a 1.1 litre turbocharged Amilcar touring model G won the Monte Carlo Rally.  The CGSS model pictured here was produced from 1926 to 1929 and stood for Cyclecar Grand Sport Surbaissé.  It thus was a CGS with a lowered chassis.  It had a 4 cylinder  1.1 litre engine with 3 speed gearbox and the body was a two seater.  Just under 1,000 CGSS models were made and then in 1929 the great depression killed the marque.  Like other Amilcars the CGSS was raced including in major events such as the Mille Miglia.   It should also be mentioned that the famous American dancer, Isadora Duncan, was killed in 1927 as a passenger in  an Amilcar CGSS when her scarf caught in  the real wheels of the car in Nice.   This late model and original CGSS was sold for Euro 83,000 at the Artcurial Auction.

1919 Blériot 2 Cyl 500cc Motor Cycle

1919 Blériot 2 Cyl 500cc, Retromobile 2017.

Pour plus de photos du Salon RetroMobile 2017, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of RetroMobile in Paris in 2017, click on this link.

Blériot Aeronautique, Suresnes, Paris, France.  Louis Blériot was the first man to fly across the Channel in an aeroplane rather than a balloon in 1909.  He had a successful company producing aircraft but after WW1 the demand dropped off and he was looking for other products to manufacture.  This motorbike was produced from 1919 to 1923.  It had a 500cc twin cylinder 4 stroke engine producing 5hp powering the bike through a 3 speed gearbox.  An attractive feature were the unusual disc wheels.  There was a kick starter and the top speed was around 65 to 75 kph.  It was advertised with the slogan "She doesn't ride, she flies!" A motorcycle for touring and very good looking for the time, it was also used as one of the first police motorbikes. Only about a dozen survive.

1981 Kremer-Porsche 917K/81

Kremer built Porsche 917/81, Retromobile 2017.

Pour plus de photos du Salon RetroMobile 2017, suivez ce lien.

For more pictures from RetroMobile in Paris 2017, click on this link.

Kremer Racing, Cologne, Germany.  The years 1970 and 1971 were the heyday of the Porsche 917 before these Group 4 sports cars were banned.  Ten years after the 917 had won its second Le Mans 24 hours, it returned as a Group 6 sports car built by the Kremer brothers using a loophole in the transitional regulations between Group 6 and Group C.  The Kremer brothers had become the top specialists in racing, modifying and tuning Porsches during the 935 era and obtained Porsche’s help in this project.  Using the original blueprints, a car was built from scratch in the Kremer workshops and incorporated a number of modifications to the suspension and a strengthened chassis to cope with the newer tyre technology.  However, the strengthening added weight.  The body was also altered to improve downforce with a large rear wing and lower and straightened sides to the car.  Unchanged was the 4.9 litre flat 12 engine that Porsche provided.  Sponsorship was obtained from Malardeau and BP and the drivers included Bob Wollek.  First event was the 1981 Le Mans 24 hours.  Practice did not go well and the car proved much slower than the original 917s down the straight.  However, in the race it ran in the top ten before retiring after seven hours following an off course excursion.   The second and final race was the 1,000kms at Brands Hatch later that year.  For this the original sponsors were gone and the car had big Kremer wording along the sides and on the rear wing with some support from Shell and Dunlop.  This time the car qualified third and early on in the race ran second to the new Ford C100.  Later in the race it took the lead and proved fast around the curves of Brands Hatch with Bob Wollek driving.  Unfortunately the suspension eventually collapsed and led to another retirement.  This was the last major race for a 917.  This unique car is now owned by a private collector and is back in its beautiful Malardeau colours.

1938 Peugeot Spécial Sport 402 Roadster Darl'mat

1938 Peugeot Spécial Sport 402 Roadster Darl'mat - RetroMobile 2016.

Pour plus de photos du Salon RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of the 2016 Retromobile, follow the link above.

Peugeot, Sochaux, France.  This very desirable Peugeot is built on the 402 Legere chassis and has a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine and was the vision of Emile Darl'mat.  His vision was to have a comfortable, fast car that didn't cost a fortune.  The bodywork was by Georges Paulin and Marcel Pourtout.  The car in the photograph is right hand drive and participated in a number of speed events between 1939 and 1948 including at Goodwood and the Brighton Speed Trials.   Other cars participated at Le Mans in 1937 and 1938 and won their class.

2015 Renault e.dams Z.E.15 Formule E

2015 Renault Formula E car, RetroMobile 2016.   Not very retro!

Have you got your tickets for the Formula E race in April 2016 around Les Invalides in Paris which is round seven of the championship?  I've got mine!   Follow the link below to get one and find out more about the race on April 23rd.

http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/calendar/2016-paris.aspx

The Renault e.dams team will be there with Nicolas Prost and Sébastien Buemi.  After round 4 the Renault e.dams team is leading the team championship and Sébastien Buemi is leading the driver's championship.

The chassis is a Spark-Renault SRT 01E.   The motor is an all electric Renault Sport ZE15 designed by Renault at Viry-Châtillon.  The car is capable of 225kph.

For pictures of old cars at this year's RetroMobile, follow this link.

Austin Healey "Frogeye" Sprite Mk1

Austin Healey "Frogeye" Sprite, RetroMobile 2016.

Pour plus de photos du RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of RetroMobile 2016, follow the link above.

Austin Healey, designed by the Donald Healey Motor Company and made by BMC at the MG factory in Abingdon , England. The Mk1 had the frogeye headlamp configuration and a 948cc A series engine.  It was a convertible and could go just over 80mph.  It was produced from 1958 to 1961.  Early rallying success came when John Sprinzel and Willy Cave won their class on the 1958 Alpine Rally.

1960 Pinin Farina PFX

1960 Pinin Farina PFX , RetroMobile 2016.

Pour plus de photos du RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of RetroMobile 2016, follow the link above.

Pinin Farina, Cambiano, Italy.  The PFX also known as the Model X had a four wheel rhomboid layout.  It was exhibited at the 1960 Turin Motor Show and the 1961 Brussels Motor Show.  The power came from a 1.1 litre Fiat engine mounted at the rear which rotated the rear wheel.  The front wheel steered the vehicle whilst the outside two wheels were just stabilisers.

Benetton-Ford B192

Benetton B192, RetroMobile 2016

Pour plus de photos de Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of Retromobile 1016, follow the link above.

Benetton, Enstone, England.  The B192 was the car that gave Michael Schumacher his first Grand prix win - The Belgian GP of 1992.  Between them, Michael Schumacher and Martin Brundle, scored 11 podiums with this car designed by Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne.  Benetton finished third in the 1992 Constructors' Championship.  It was powered by a 3.5 litre Ford V8 engine but it sucess came from it reliable, simple and effective chassis.

Honda S800

Honda  , Retromobile 2016

Pour plus de photos du Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of RetroMobile 2016, follow the link above.

Honda, Susuka, Japan.  The Honda S600 was first produced in 1966 and had a 800cc 4 cylinder high revving engine that could power the car to around 100mph.  It was celebrating its 50th birthday at RetroMobile.

1964 Zagato "Zimp" Prototype

Zagato "Zimp" Prototype - RetroMobile 2016.

Pour plus de photos du Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of Retromobile 2016, follow he link above.

Zagato, Milan, Italy.  This Zagato Prototype is based on the Hillman Imp chassis.  It was produced for the 1964 London Motor Show.  Only 3 were built.   The bodywork was aluminium. It has a standard lightweight Hillman Imp 875cc motor which was developed from the Coventry Climax engine. It is known as the Zimp. Top speed was about 140kph/87mph.  Chrysler vetoed turning the prototype into reality as it would have been expensive compared to cars like the Mini Cooper or Sunbeam Stilletto.  Nevertheless, a great looking car.

Aston Martin DB5

Aston Martin DB5 - Retromobile 2016

Pour plus de photos du Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more pictures of the 2016 Retromobile, follow the link above.

Aston Martin, Newport Pagnell, England.   The DB5 was produced from 1963 to 1965.  Over a 1,000 were produced.  It became famous when James Bond drove one in Goldfinger.  It had a 6 cylinder 4 litre engine.  Top speed was 145mph and it took a little over 7 seconds to reach 60mph. .  In the sixties when they were new they cost a little over £4,000.

1968 Lamborghini Muira P400

1968 Lamboghini Muira P400, Retromobile 2016

Pour plus de photos du Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos from the 2016 Salon Retromobile follow the link above.

Lamborghini, Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy.   The famous bodywork of the Muira was created by Bertone.  It had a 4 litre V12 Lamborghini engine mounted behind the driver.  This was the first Lamborghini to rival if not beat the Ferraris of the time in terms of desirability.  It had an over 170 mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of under 6.5 seconds, making it outstandingly quick for its day.

1965 Mclaren-Oldsmobile M3A

Patsy Burt's McLaren-Oldsmobile M3A, RetroMobile Paris 2016

Pour plus de photos du Retromobile 2016, suivez ce lien.
For more photos of the 2016 RetroMobile, follow the link above.

Patsy Burt asked Bruce McLaren to build a single seater for her based on the successful M1 sports car.  The M3A was the result with its 4.4 litre Traco Oldsmobile engine.  Built in 1965 it appeared in sprints from 1966 onwards.  In the car Patsy Burt won hillclimbs, sprints, records and in 1968 became the first woman to win the Brighton Speed Trials on Madeira Drive.  In 1970 she won the RAC National Sprint Championship in this car.  Two other M3As were built.  One was a European Hillclimb car, whilst the other was used as a camera car in the filming of John Frankenheimer's film "Grand Prix".

1947 Stanguellini 1100 Motto Coupé

1947 Stanguellini 1100 Motto Coupé, Le Salon RetroMobile, Paris  2016

Pour plus de photos du RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of the 2016 RetroMobile exhibition in Paris, follow the link above.

Stanguellini, Modena, Italy.  Vittorio Stanguellini was a Fiat dealer in Modena who started to produce cars with modified Fiat engines.   This 1947 car had a pre-war Fiat 508 chassis.  It has an lightweight aluminium body produced by CA-MO Torino (Motto).  The car raced in Italy during the late forties.  There is probably only one of these cars in the world.

1956 Renault Etoile Filante

Renault Etoile Filante, Retromobile, 2016.

Pour plus de photos du RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of the 2016 Retromobile exhibition in Paris, follow the link above.

The Renault Etoile Filante had a Turbomeca Turbine Helicopter engine.  In 1956 at the Bonneville salt flats it achieved a speed of over 300kph, a record for this class of vehicle.  It was driven by Jean Herbert.  The Renault Dauphine was launched in the USA after this record gave Renault some good publicity over there.

1911 Fiat S 76

Fiat S76, The Beast of Turin, Retromobile 2016

Pour plus de photos du RetroMobile 2016, suivez ce lien. 

For more photos of the 2016 RetroMobile, follow the link above.

This car was built by Fiat to try and get the Land Speed Record.  It had a 300 HP 4 cylinder 28 litre engine.  The car achieved 116mph.

Ford P68 3L

Ford 3L P68, Retromobile, Paris, 2016 

A link to more photos from Retromobile coming soon.

Ford 3L P68.  Constructor- Alan Mann Racing, Byfleet, England.  Powered by a 3 litre Cosworth Ford DFV engine.  it was a Group 6 prototype.  It made a competitive debut at the 1968 BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch driven by Bruce McLaren and Mike Spence.  Although it was very fast, inherent aerodynamic stability led to accidents and a lack of finishes.  Nevertheless, a beautiful car and one those who saw the 1968 BOAC 500 will never forget.

1968 Alfa T33/2 "Le Mans" Coupe1968

1968 Alfa Romeo T33/2 in its Giunti/Galli Le Mans livery at Retromobile 2015. 

I am looking forward to this year's Retromobile in a few weeks time.  Follow this link for more info.

Pour plus de photos du Salon de Rétromobile 2015, suivez ce lien.

For more photos of Retromobile in 2015, follow this link.

Autodelta SpA, Alfa Romeo, Italy.  This 2 litre V8 car achieved some success in endurance racing in 1968.  It started with a class win at Daytona in the 24 hours that gave the car its name of Daytona.   Class wins were also achieved at the Targa Florio and Nurburgring.   At Le Mans the 2 litre cars finished 4th, 5th and 6th and won the 2 litre class with the long tails configuration seen here.   The car picture is in the livery of the Ignazio Giunti/Nanni Galli car that came fourth.  The long tail cars are not strictly to be called Daytonas.   Overall victories were won in non-championship races at Mugello and Imola. Over 25 cars were built.  Later in the year a 2.5 litre car appeared.

1953 Pegaso Z 102 Touring Super Leggera Spider Le Mans

1953 Pegaso Z 102 Touring Super Leggera Spider Le Mans à Retromobile 2015

Pour plus de photos du Salon de Retromobile 2015, suivez ce lien.

For more photos from the Salon de Retromobile 2015, follow the link above.

Pegaso, Barcelona, Spain. Top Speed, Vitesse maximale - 249 kph.

Mon astuce pur faire des belle photos.
Avec des voitures rares assurez-vous de prendre une bonne photo que vous ne pourriez pas obtenir une seconde chance

Top photo tips.
When you see a car as rare as this Pegaso take care to get a good shot as the chance might not come around again.

Jaguar XKSS

Jaguar XKSS, Retromobile 2015 Paris

Pour plus de photos du Salon de Retromobile 2015, suivez ce lien.

Mon astuce pour faire de belles photos.
Utilisez l'éclairage dans les salles d'exposition à votre avantage.

Top photo tip
Use the lighting in exhibition halls to your advantage.