Mobility

The success of the Brussels show for new cars in January 2025, and the success of Rétromobile in 2024, indicate that car shows are once again becoming popular events. So save the dates for Rétromobile 2025.

From February 5 to 9, 2025, the history of the automobile will on display at the Porte de Versailles in Paris for the 49th edition of Rétromobile. In 2024, the event attracted over 130,000 visitors. This was a record for an event that has acquired international status. Popular success already seems a foregone conclusion, especially as this years' two themes will arouse curiosity: the 70th anniversary of the DS and French F1 cars. Despite this, the event remains a place for bargain hunting, Artcurial auctions and the discovery of nostalgic and memorable cars. There will even be some rare or forgotten vehicles.

70 years of the DS

The Citroën DS, beloved of Louis de Funès' characters, will be in the spotlight for its 70th birthday. It's featured on the poster, with a representation of the DS Ballon from 1959. This very special version of Citroën's top-of-the-range septuagenarian was a stroke of advertising genius. To emphasize the DS's comfort, advertiser Claude Puech replaced the 4 wheels with 4 orange spheres. The DS exhibition will feature a scenography highlighting the different DS models presented in Pavilion 1.

Plenty of F1

In Pavilion 2, 600m² of space at Porte de Versailles will be given to 16 Formula 1 cars, retracing 60 years of racing history with a common thread: a link to France; whether that be through the driver, the team or the engine. We'll be seeing a Matra MS 80, world champion in 1969, a 1979 Renault RS 10 with its victorious turbocharged engine, a 1988 Ligier JS31, a 1997 Williams Renault FW19 world champion with Jacques Villeneuve, and a 1995 Benetton Renault that helped Michael Schumacher win his first world title.  

Route 66

Every day from 10 to 11.30am, visitors to Pavilion 3 will be surprised by a display of mythical American cars, evoking Route 66. In a different style, an AMX PAC 10 tank will be on display in front of Pavilion 1, with a 1942 American Stuart M3 inside. As with this military machine, many museums and clubs will be bringing vehicles out of their storerooms, hangars or permanent displays to showcase them over the 5 days of Rétromobile. Cars and motorcycles, as two-wheelers aren't forgotten. The Teuf Teuf club will also be giving you the chance to take a ride in pre-1932 cars. There will also be an area dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Croisière noire expedition, and its famous Citroën caterpillars, with a tribute to automotive pioneer Adolphe Kégresse.

On auction

The highlight of the show will be an auction on February 7, 8 and 9. Artcurial will be offering over 100 automobile models for auction on February 7. There will be Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, Jaguars, Mercedes, Porsches, Bugattis, Delages, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, AC Cobras... A few items are estimated at over 2 million euros: two 1966 Ferraris 275 GTBs and a 1930 Bugatti Type 51. On Saturday, the sale will be dedicated to motorcycles and the Paul-Emile B. collection, including a 1995 Bugatti EB110 GT estimated at €1,500,000. On the 9th, the world of racing, flying and yachting will take center stage.

For the general public, Rétromobile takes place from February 5 to 9, 2025, from 10am to 7pm (10pm on Wednesdays and Fridays) at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center (south-east of Paris, near the Périphérique). Tickets cost €20 in advance, €25 on site.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne - Source : Rétromobile - Picture : © Rétromobile)