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Salon Retromobile 2015 – Report and Photos

Fiskens Stand at 2015 Salon Retromobile
Fiskens Stand at 2015 Salon Retromobile

Report and photos by Csaba Kiss

The Salon Retromobile 2015 was held 4-8 February at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris, France. Retromobile celebrated the 40th anniversary of one of the biggest indoor classic car events in the world in a truly royal way. The Parisian show and trade is the traditional season opener of the European classic automotive scene and the nearly 100,000 visitors of the anniversary edition admired the three Bugatti Royale cars from the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse.

Known as the biggest, the most beautiful and the most extraordinary model in the world, the large luxury car with a 4.3 meter (169.3 in) wheelbase and 6.4 meter (21 ft) overall length was built in only six examples. Two of them – the Coupé Napoléon, Ettore Bugatti’s own car and the Limousine fitted with bodywork by Park Ward – have been purchased by the Schlumpf brothers, whose collection later was transformed into a car museum in Mulhouse. They also commissioned a replica of the Esders Roadster, which was assembled using original Bugatti parts. The dramatic two-seater open body was built initially on the chassis no. 41.111, but that later has been rebodied into a Coupé de ville.

Another highlight of the anniversary show was an exquisite selection from the world renowned Lopresto Collection. Milanese architect and property developer Corrado Lopresto spent his life tracking down and collecting prototypes and cars with unique coachwork. His passion for Italian auto design has enabled him to build up the only collection of its kind in the world – that has earned over 180 awards in the most prestigious Concours d’Elegance (Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, Amelia Island, Goodwood and Chantilly). Six Alfa Romeos, three Lancias, OSCA and Autobianchi were presented in Paris, all of them unique creations of the greatest Italian coachbuilders – Bertone, Pininfarina, Zagato, Vignale or Carrozzeria Touring.

Style was one of the main attributes of the Pegaso as well – as well as power and speed. Every year from 1951 to 1956, Pegaso cars were presented at the Salon de Paris. Production ceased in late 1956: a total of 84 cars had been produced. The special exhibition at the Retromobile aligned eleven of them – bodied by Touring, Saoutchik or Serra, the biggest prides of Spanish automotive industry have been equipped with 2.8 and 3.2 liter V8 engines. The fastest Pegasos could reach 155 mph (249 km/h), exceeding Ferrari autos, thus making it the world’s fastest production car at the time. Visitors could admire two other Pegaso cars at the 2015 Salon Retromobile, one at Fiskens stand, and another exposed by the Spanish classic car restaurateur and dealer Pueche – the Z-102 ENASA from 1951 was the second prototype and now is the oldest existing Pegaso.

As usual, the French manufacturers sat at the center of the show – literally and figuratively. Citroën celebrated the 60th anniversary of the iconic DS, presenting every version – Saloon, Cabriolet and Estate – while Renault commemorated the 50th anniversary of the type 16 (produced between 1965 and 1980 and voted European Car of the Year in 1966). But the ‘biggest party’ was thrown at the Peugeot stand, with no less than four different anniversaries: 40 years for the 604, 50 years for the 204, 60 years for the 403 and 80 years for the 402.

Even though Mercedes-Benz and Skoda don’t compete in the same category on the new car market, the two manufacturers with quite remarkable historic heritage usually have their small but impressive stands sitting next to each other at the Retromobile. Alongside the unique 300 SL from 1953 with its magnesium-alloy bodywork and the C-111 concept car from 1969, Mercedes-Benz caused a sensation by presenting the amazing 540 K Stromlinienwagen. Designed just before the Second World War for a race that was ultimately cancelled, hidden away during the war and forgotten in the ensuing turmoil, this aerodynamic silver arrow has just been restored to its former glory.

Skoda brought some vehicles with great historic significance as well, like the Laurin and Klement Voiturette A, the first ever Czech car from 1905, or the Skoda 966 Supersport. This racing car is the only example that survives of the three produced in 1950. It was the fastest of its day in Czechoslovakia (197.8 km/h), and struck fear into the hearts of its rivals on the Czech circuits.

Photographer Csaba Kiss documented Salon Retromobile 2015. We split up Csaba’s pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found by clicking here and gives a comprehensive view of all the 180 photographs.

Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Mercedes-Benz C-111 – 1969
Mercedes-Benz C-111 – 1969
Porsche 911 RS 2.7 – 1973
Porsche 911 RS 2.7 – 1973
Mercedes-Benz SSK 7.1 Kompressor – 1928
Mercedes-Benz SSK 7.1 Kompressor – 1928
Porsche 718 RSK - 1959
Porsche 718 RSK – 1959

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Panhard Monopole – 1956
Panhard Monopole – 1956
Panhard et Levassor 6CS (Baillott Collection)
Panhard et Levassor 6CS (Baillott Collection)
Osca 1600 GT Touring - 1961 (Lopresto Collection)
Osca 1600 GT Touring – 1961 (Lopresto Collection)
Moretti 1200 Spider by Michelotti – 1955
Moretti 1200 Spider by Michelotti – 1955

 

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Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – 1953
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – 1953
Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta Frua - 1956 (Baillott Collection)
Maserati A6G 2000 Gran Sport Berlinetta Frua – 1956 (Baillott Collection)
Maserati 3500 GTi Coupe Touring – 1962
Maserati 3500 GTi Coupe Touring – 1962
Maserati 8CM – 1934
Maserati 8CM – 1934

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Lotus 47 – 1967
Lotus 47 – 1967
Lancia Flaminia Speciale Pininfarina - 1963 (Lopresto Collection)
Lancia Flaminia Speciale Pininfarina – 1963 (Lopresto Collection)
Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible – 1956
Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible – 1956
Lamborghini Miura P400 – 1968
Lamborghini Miura P400 – 1968

 

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Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Riley Brooklands – 1929
Riley Brooklands – 1929
Renault 8 Gordini – 1962
Renault 8 Gordini – 1962
Porsche 936 – Winner of the 1977 24 hours of Le Mans
Porsche 936 – Winner of the 1977 24 hours of Le Mans
Porsche 917 LH – 1971
Porsche 917 LH – 1971

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Pegaso Z102 Competition Coupe – 1954
Pegaso Z102 Competition Coupe – 1954
Pegaso Z-102 Touring Superleggera Thrill - 1953
Pegaso Z-102 Touring Superleggera Thrill – 1953
Pegaso Z-102 Touring Superleggera – 1955
Pegaso Z-102 Touring Superleggera – 1955
Panhard X86 Dolomites – 1954
Panhard X86 Dolomites – 1954

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Tatra 77 A – 1935
Tatra 77 A – 1935
Talbot Lago T26 Record Coupe by Saoutchik (Baillot Collection)
Talbot Lago T26 Record Coupe by Saoutchik (Baillot Collection)
Talbot Lago T26 Record Cabriolet by Saoutchik - 1948 (Baillot Collection)
Talbot Lago T26 Record Cabriolet by Saoutchik – 1948 (Baillot Collection)
Talbot Lago T26 GS – 1946
Talbot Lago T26 GS – 1946

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Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Barchetta by Motto – 1950
Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Barchetta by Motto – 1950
Skoda 966 Supersport – 1950
Skoda 966 Supersport – 1950
Simca Gordini Cinq Le Mans – 1939
Simca Gordini Cinq Le Mans – 1939
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer by Million Guiet – 1924
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer by Million Guiet – 1924

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Jaguar XKSS – 1957
Jaguar XKSS – 1957
Jaguar XJR-9 – Winner of the 1988 24 hours of Daytona
Jaguar XJR-9 – Winner of the 1988 24 hours of Daytona
Ferrari GT 250 Series I Convertible – 1959
Ferrari GT 250 Series I Convertible – 1959
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider - 1961 (Baillot Collection)
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider – 1961 (Baillot Collection)

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Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring – 1952
Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring – 1952
Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta – 1951
Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta – 1951
DB Panhard Gignoux – 1952
DB Panhard Gignoux – 1952
Bugatti T57 SC Atalante – 1937
Bugatti T57 SC Atalante – 1937

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

Bugatti T53 – 1931
Bugatti T53 – 1931
Bugatti T51 Grand Prix – 1931
Bugatti T51 Grand Prix – 1931
Bugatti T50 – 1931
Bugatti T50 – 1931
Bugatti T15 – 1912
Bugatti T15 – 1912

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Bugatti Royale Limousine by Park Ward - 1933
Bugatti Royale Limousine by Park Ward – 1933
Bugatti Royale Coupe Napoleon – 1929
Bugatti Royale Coupe Napoleon – 1929
Bugatti Royale Coupe Napoleon - 1929
Bugatti Royale Coupe Napoleon – 1929
BMW 3.0 CSL – 1973
BMW 3.0 CSL – 1973

 

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Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Bequet Delage – 1924
Bequet Delage – 1924
Bentley Speed Six Blue Train - 1929
Bentley Speed Six Blue Train – 1929
Allard J2 – 1950
Allard J2 – 1950
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca by Zagato – 1962
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca by Zagato – 1962

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Bertone - 1955 (Lopresto Collection)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Bertone – 1955 (Lopresto Collection)
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Bertone – 1942 (Lopresto Collection)
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Bertone – 1942 (Lopresto Collection)
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato Aprile - 1931 (Lopresto Collection)
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato Aprile – 1931 (Lopresto Collection)
Abarth 1000 SP – 1969
Abarth 1000 SP – 1969

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Salon Retromobile 2015 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Porsche 550A - 1957
Porsche 550A that finished fifth overall at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1958, the best-ever result at Circuit de la Sarthe for a 550A Spyder
Porsche 550A – 1957
Porsche 550A – 1957
Porsche 911 3.0L RSR Prototype - 1973
Porsche 911 3.0L RSR Prototype, the works entry for the 1973 Le Mans 24 Hours where it finished fourth overall wearing the iconic Martini colours
Porsche 911 3.0L RSR Prototype – 1973
Porsche 911 3.0L RSR Prototype – 1973

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Porsche 908 – 1968
Porsche 908 – 1968
Porsche 906 Carrera 6 – 1967
Porsche 906 Carrera 6 – 1967
Mercedes-Benz 540 K Stromlinienwagen – 1938
Mercedes-Benz 540 K Stromlinienwagen – 1938
Mercedes-Benz 540 K Stromlinienwagen - 1938
Mercedes-Benz 540 K Stromlinienwagen – 1938

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

[Source: Csaba Kiss]