- Paris, Rétromobile 2011-

The very first "auto-mobile". In october 1769 a man works around a big carriage, but instead of horses, there stand a copper wood fired boiler. Steam operates to piston cylinder sets that turns the wheel by transfer mechanism. The Fardier is a 4000 kg vehicle created to carry canon to the front. - click here for more pictures and informations

In 1879, Karl Benz started producing stationary gasoline engines. Benz had so much commercial success with this engine that is was able to devote more time to his dream of creating a lightweight car powered by a gasoline engine, in which the chassis and engine formed a single unit. - click here for more pictures and informations

The Mercedes 37/90 hp was introduced in 1911 with a four cylinder engine with three valve yechnology (two exhaust valves and one intake valve per cylinder). The engine consisted of individual cylinders with a welded-on cooling jacket. The 9.530 cc engine produced 90 hp (66 kW) at 1.100 rpm. Maximum speed was 115 kph. The car was proposed in different versions or as a chassis that could be completed by specialized coachbuilders. The Mercedes 37/90 hp was eventually entered in French Grand Prix in 1913 where Léon Elskamp came in seventh position.

The Mercedes 37/90 hp Skiff exhibited at Retromobile 2011 is a unique model equipped with a bodywork inspired by luxury boat construction. The shape recalls the one of a boat especially around the driver and passenger's compartment at at the rear. It is made of three layer mahogany. There are only two small doors one on each side and access to the cabin is facilitated by steps on each side. This particular automobile was ordered by Henty G. Stetson from Philadelphia, U.S.A.

In the thirties, Mercedes Benz acquire world renown in luxury cars production. In 1934 Mercedes unveil the Type 500 K. It is declined in 8 different coachwork. An aerodynamic sedan named "Autobahn-Kurier", a four door sedan, 3 convertible, a 2 door touring car and one roadster. The engine is 4982cm3 8 cylinders in line developping 100 HP to 160 HP with supercharger at 3400 RPM for a max speed of 160 Km/h.

In early 1953 the then Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG, Fritz Könecke, formulated the grand goal for the resumption of international racing activities: Mercedes-Benz should capture the double world championship in 1954, in the Formula One and for sports car, with factory drivers. - click here for more pictures and informations

The Mazda Chevron B16 started competition at 1000 km of Spa and was the first rotary engine presented by Mazda to participate at 24 Hours Le Mans in 1970. The rotary engine used by Mazda Chevron B16 is a bi-rotor Mazda 10A. A 2x491 cc cylinders developing 245 HP at 9500 RPM for a torque of 18.2 mkg at 5000 RPM. Width : 1840 mm - Lenght : 4000 mm - Height : 999 mm - Weight : 960 kg - Max speed : 193 km/h

The Mazda RX-7 IMSA has won 8 manufacturer titles between 1980 and 1987 in IMSA GTU Championship combined with 10 victories at 24 Hours of Daytona from 1982 to 1992. It is the most titled car in IMSA Championship history with more than 100 victories. The engine is 2x694 cc cylinders bi-rotary Mazda 13B developing 510 HP with a 5 speed gearbox. Lenght : 4280 mm - Width : 1820 mm - Height : 1150 mm - Weight : 780 kg

Mazda, in 1991, became the first Japanese automaker to win the 24 Hours Le Mans endurance race. They were well-prepared, had taken the development from the aluminium to carbon-fibre chassis and from the good old triple rotary piston engine to the 750 hp four rotor unit. They had also signed up the great Jacky Ickx, not only as figure-head but as an expert whose advices were taken very seriously. click here for more pictures and informations

5. GULF Racing History

McLaren prepared the M20 sports prototype in 1972 for the Canadian-American Challenge Cup. Compared to the previous car, the M20 had two radiators installed on each side of the cockpit and drawing air from the side of the bodywork. The front end then could be extremely flat for better aerodynamic and was fitted with a front adjustable airfoil between the front wheel fenders for increasing downforce on the front axle.

The McLaren M20 was propelled by Chevrolet V8 engine 509 c.i. or 8.340 CC producing approximately 750 hp.

During the 1972 CanAm season, factory entered M20 driven by Denny Hulme collected two victories at Mosport Park and Watkins Glen International. At the time, McLaren was heavily involved in Formula One racing and decided to sell the existing M20 to private teams.

The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 project is unveiled in 1982, the first prototype is built in 1983. In 1984 the car achieve its first victories before winning Wolrd Rally Championship (WRC) in 1985 and 1986. Peugeot wanted to promote the launch of the 205 series in production and to demonstrate its skills and knowledge of automobile. - click here for more pictures and informations

The Porsche 935/78 Turbo, also known as 'Moby Dick', represents the culmination of an effort that began in 1974 when the factory entered two turbocharged 911 Coupés in the World Championship of Makes. This action was not so successful but allowed Porsche to accumulate valuable experience on turbocharged 911 and prepare for the next revised Championship stated to begin in 1975 but postponed until 1976. The new series centered around Group 5 machines, also called Silhouette racers based on production automobiles, in this case the Porsche Turbo Carrera. - click here for more pictures and informations

At the end of the fifties, Citroën production models are limited to three different crs, the 2CV, the DS 19 and the "Traction Avant" (meaning front wheel drive"). Under control of Flaminio Bertoni, the designer of the previous models, the Ami 6 is developped to renew and extend Ciroën's range of cars. Presented in 1961, the Citroën Ami 6 is based on 2CV chassis and engine for economical reasons. In 1965 the car is declined in two versions, the sedan and the break. in 1966, the success of the Ami 6 is confirmed as it became the most sold vehicle in France. The production is stopped in 1969 after 1.039.384 Ami 6 were produced,it is replaced by the Ami 8.

Technical Data : Width : 1.524 m - Length : 3.87 m - Height : 1.845 m - Weight : 640 kg // Engine : 602 cc, 2 flatened cylinders (74x70) - 4 speed gearbox.