- Paris, Rétromobile 2013 and Artcurial auction -

Retromobile 2013 in Paris gathered more than 80.000 visitors during five days for an exceptional view on historic and classic cars and all related commerce. We are proposing here a short visit along the alleys with a view on some outstanding examples of the automobile history.

RM Auction is showing a 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta Competizione with body by Pinin Farina. This car will be part of an auction at Villa d’Este in May 2013.  This berlinetta style by Pinin Farina first appeared on the 250 MM with 2.400 mm wheelbase and 200 hp 3.0 Litre engine. For the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours the factory entered three new cars with berlinetta body style by Pinin Farina and a wheelbase of 2.600mm (102,4 in.). Two of these cars were fitted with 340 designation and a 4.1 Litre V12 engine for Hawthorn/Farina and Giannino and Paolo Marzotto. The third car with 375 designation was fitted with a 4.5 Litre V12 engine for Ascari/Villoresi. Only one of these cars finished the race at the fith position. It was the Marzotto brothers car. Ascari/Villoresi had an impressive race with several laps in second position but at the 21st hour the race ended with overheating and clutch failure. This explains the 340/375 MM designation of this fully restored Berlinetta Competizione with Pinin Farina bodywork. For further details and illustrations, see Car Review Ferrari 340 375 MM berlinetta Competizione 1953 by Pinin Farina

Porsche 911 50th Anniversary is illustrated by a selection of historic versions; The prototype Porsche T7 1959 was the first prototype for this iconic model. The four seats prototype styling study was propelled by a 1.966 cc Flat Four engine producing 130 hp and allowing a top speed of 200 kph. Ferry Porsche refused the idea of a four seats sports car and the T7 never reached production. The idea of a 2+2 was accepted and will result in the 901 with emergency rear seats. The car style gained the fastback coupe rear sloping roof.

The first generation Porsche 911 was introduced at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show under the designation Porsche 901; this designation was changed to 911 because the 901 designation was the property of Peugeot. This first Porsche 911 was propelled by a 2 Litre Flat six producing 130 hp (96 kW).

The 1978 Porsche 911 SC Safari with 2.994 cc. Flat six developing 250 hp (184 kW) was capable of 210 kph (130,4 mph). For the Kenya Safari Rally, the ground clearance was moved to 28 cm (11 in.). The chassis was reinforced. Porsche 911SC Safari finished second and fourth

The 1977 Porsche 935 is propelled by a Turbocharged 2.857 cc. Flat Six engine producing 630 hp and allowing a claimed top speed of 340 kph. The Porsche 935 won the World Constructor Championship in 1976. Several Porsche 935 were built and entered with success by the Constructor as well as by Private Teams. A Porsche 935 won Le Mans 24 Hours in 1979 while another one won Daytona 24 Hours in 1981. Large quantities of modifications were introduced to the Porsche 935 along the year not only by the factory but also by private teams. For further details and illustrations, see Car Review Porsche 935 1976 1984

The Bentley Embiricos participated three times at the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race between 1949 and 1951. For further details and illustrations see Car Reviews Bentley 41/4-Litre 'Embiricos' Special Aerodynamic -1939.

Citroen DS was first introduced at Paris Motor Show in 1955. This revolutionary model was designed by Flaminio Bertoni in charge at the time of Citroen Styling and its shape was optimised in the Wind tunnel at Ferté Vidame. Besides its original shape, the Citroen DS proposed hydro-pneumatic suspensions allowing to adjust the riding height. The interior presented a futuristic design with a single spoke steering wheel. Citroen registered 80.000 purchase orders at the launching Paris Motor Show and it took several years to fulfill these sales

1898 Renault Type A Voiturette – for further details and illustrations see Car Reviews Renault Type A Voiturette 1898.

1913 Renault DG Type Victoria Rotschild – The Renault Type DG was produced in 1370 units. The car exhibited by Renault Classic is a special order by an Egyptian dignitary and the coachwork was prepared by Rotschild Coachbuilder with hundred years experience in luxury vehicles including horse carriages. The Renault DG Type Victoria keeps the front “crocodile” hood with radiator behind the engine. The body style shows separate driver compartment and a luxury rear passenger space. The car has a four cylinder 2.612 cc. engine driving the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. The braking operates on the transmission or on the rear wheels. Length 4.500 mm (177,2 in.)– width 1.630 mm (64,2 in.).

1937 Renault Nerva Grand Sport – Nerva designation is part of Renault luxury cars with eight cylinder engines since 1930. Starting from 1934 Renault introduced more aerodynamic body style. Production of Nerva Grand Sport between 1936 and 1937: 150 units. Engine: 8 cylinder -5.448 cc – 110 hp (82 kW) at 3.300 rpm. Three-speed gearbox and rear wheel drive. Drum brakes with servo mechanical control. Length 4.910 mm (193,3 in.)- width 1.750 mm (68,9 in.)- weight 2.250 kg (4,960 lb.). Top speed is claimed for145 kph (90 mph).

1963 Renault 8 Landon prototype – At the Winter 1963, Renault decided to create a spoting version of the Renault 8 for which the basic request can be expressed as follow: maximum speed at least 155 kph and minimal extra cost. The Renault 8 Landon is the project prepared by François Landon Styling team. The project prepared by René Gordini team will be selected instead of the project by Landon team. Engine four cylinder 1108 cc 50 hp ( 37,3 kW) at 5.900 rpm. Speed gearbox. Disc brakes were on all wheels. Length 3.995 mm (157,3 in.)- Width 1.490 mm (58,6 in.).

The 1968 Alpine Renault A220 is propelled by a 2.995 cc. V8 with 5 speed transmission and has a maximum speed claimed for 314 kph. The length is 4.080 mm (160,6 in.), the width is 1.740 mm (68,5 in.) and the weight is announced for 690 kg (1521 lb.). The Renault Alpine A220 participated twice at Le Man 24 Hours in 1968 and 1969 as well as to the 1969 Cevennes Rally and it was at this occasion that it was homologated for road use. It is part of a private collection.

Alpine Renault A110 1971 – This Alpine Renault A110 just participated to the 2013 Historic Monte Carlo Rally together with four other similar cars in order to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the triple win in 1973 Monte Carlo Rally. For further details and illustrations see Car Reviews Alpine A110 1962 to 1973 – Road and Racing version.

Fiskens exhibited a 1956 Maserati 250 F Grand Prix racing car. 26 Maserati 250F were produced between 1954 and 1960. The car in exhibit was raced to the second position by Jean Behra at the 1956 Argentine Grand Prix. For further details and photos see Car Reviews Maserati 250F Lightweight Fangio 1957.

1966 Lamborghini 4000 GT Flying Star II by Touring  illustrating Superleggera technique with aluminium panels supported by a thin steel tubes structure for lightness and rigidity. It was introduced at the 1966 Turin Motor show. Carrozzeria Touring is now offering a Special Restoring Department for the restoration of  Superleggera coachworks. The Flying Star II is built on a shortened 3500 GT chassis equipped with 4 Litre engine of the 4000 GT. It illustrates a proposition for a grand touring two seats shooting break. Total weight is 1080 kg (2380 lb.).

The 1908 Benz Grand Prix is equipped with a four cylinder 12.060 cc engine producing 120 hp (88 kW) at 1.500 rpm. The maximum speed is claimed for 163 kph (101,3 mph). Three cars were entered at the 1908 French Grand Prix and all three finished the race, two of them in second and third position.

The 1909 Benz  “ Blitzen Benz” equipped with a 21.504 cc four cylinder engine producing 200 hp (147 kW) at 1600 rpm was capable of achieving 202,7 kph (125,9 mph) at the Brooklands circuit. In 1911, Bob Burman reached 228 kph (141,7 mph) at Daytona Beach in Florida. That is when the Benz was nicknamed “Blitzen Benz” in America and was considered the fastest car at the time.

Mercedes 300 SL tubular space frame shows the complexity of the structure of this classic sports car. For further details and illustrations se Car reviews Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe 1955, Mercedes 300 SLR and Mercedes 300 SL W194 – Le Mans 1952 Winner.

Helica Propeller driven cars. Engineer Leyat was working for Levasseur propeller manufacturer when he designed and built his first Helica, a car driven by a propeller; there is no transmission to the wheels, the rear wheel are operating for steering and the front wheels hold the brakes. The front placed propeller is directly driven by the engine The Helica is like an airplane without wing, an airplane that does not fly. The car moves exclusively by the effect of the propeller. Five different architectures were built with single seat or two seats arrangement, full cabin or open air seating. The story occurred between 1919 and 1920 and the concept stopped then.

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. In 1963 General Motors was not involved in a racing car program but its Advanced Engineering Department discreetly supported private John Mecom Racing Team in developing a special lightweight Corvette, the Grand Sport. Five such cars were completed and raced in America.  For further details and illustration see Car Reviews Corvette Grand Sport.

Auto Classique Touraine specialized in restoration exhibited an impressive Delahaye 135 1937 with coachwork from Figoni & Falashi. For further details and illustration on a similar vehicle see Car Reviews Delahaye 135M Roadster Figoni & Falashi 1937.

  Bugatti exhibited one of the eight Bugatti Type 59 1933. In 1932, Bugatti recognised the need for a more powerful race car to replace the Type 51. He built a new 2.8 Litre engine with cylinder dimension of 72x88 mm, the same as the two prototypes of the new Type 57 production model. The car was not fast enough so that the engine was upgraded to 3.3 Litre with dry sump. This elegant car was aesthetically typical Bugatti, but was lower, and looked wider than the earlier Grand Prix models, and featured the highly unique looking piano-wire wheels. Drum brakes were integral to the wheels, and would come off when a wheel was changed. While adjusting the brakes was not really a straight forward option, the brake shoes were easy to replace. The frame was reminiscent of the Type 54, and 20 cm (7,8 in.) longer than the frame found on the Type 35

Christoph Grohe Fine Classic Cars has shown a 1901  Panhard-Levassor Type A2 Tonneau. This car is powered by a 1.648 cc. Daimler two cylinder engine allowing 30 kph (18,6 mph) with a three speed transmission. The Type A2 has front engine and rear wheel drive by chains. For further details and illustration see Panhard Levassor A2 Tonneau 1899- 1902

The De Dion Bouton Type E Vis à vis 1900 was one of the first French automobile in so called large production. In 1900, De Dion Bouton produced some 500 cars and three thousand two hundreds gasoline engines. The Vis à Vis  was produced at 2.920 units between 1900 and 1902. It has a single cylinder engine and transmission placed at the rear. A radiator was installed at the front under the luggage compartment itself under the front opposed seat. For further details and illustrations, see De Dion Bouton Type E 'Vis à vis' 1900.

A 1935 Peugeot 401 “Coupé transformable Eclipse” was the first serie production vehicle equipped with a folding metallic roof with electric control. The system was patented in 1932 by a dentist. The first application was by Coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout on design by George Paulin for a Peugeot 301 on special order. The 401 had a 1.720 cc. four cylinder engine producing 44 hp (32,8 kW) and allowing 100 kph (62 mph)with a three speed transmission. 79 Eclipse were produced on Peugeot chassis 401 in 1934-1935 while 580 Eclipse were produced between 1935 and 1939 on Peugeot 402 chassis.  A Peugeot 402 Eclipse 1936 was sold for 172.250 Euros at the Artcurial Auction during the Retromobile 2013. For more details and photos, see Car Reviews 1937 Peugeot 402 Eclipse. The folding metallic roof is now proposed since 2.000 on Peugeot CC versions.

Citroen SM Espace Heuliez Prototype N°2 was prepared by Heuliez for a private customer in 1971.  It was based on a proposal by the Citroen Styling Department.

The ISO BIZZARINI A3/C 1965 was developed by Giotto Bizzarini when he was hired by Renzo Rivolta to develop a series of grand touring cars. Giotto Bizzarini had been working for Ferrari and in particular on the famous Ferrari GTO when a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari made him walk away. The A3/C was developed specifically for racing purpose. The car exhibited by Fiskens is the one driven by Regis Fraissinet and Baron Jean de Mortemart to the ninth position and Class win at 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours. The ISO Bizzarini A3/C features independent rear suspension and a quadruple Weber carburettor 400 hp (298,3 kW) Corvette engine.

 The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was introduced with Scaglietti body in December 1957 for the 1958 season. It was based on 3 Litre Gran Turismo engine. The front end was very specific with nearly independent fenders. This original cutaway style was intended to provide maximum drum brakes cooling. It was later found that this solution created aerodynamic drag and next versions had fully enveloping nose incorporating slots and ducts for brake cooling; it was the case for the 1958 Le Mans winning car driven by Olivier Gendebien and Phill Hill. The model exhibited by Fiskens was completed in December 1957 and sent to Argentina for the Buenos Aires 1000 km.  For further details and illustrations see Ferrari 250TR Testa Rossa Scaglietti 1958.

1930 Bentley 4,5 Litre Sports Saloon exhibited by Fiskens

1926 Bentley 3 Litre Super Sports exhibited by Fiskens is one of the three cars entered at 1926 Le Mans 24 Hours with body prepared by Martin Walter on a short nine foot chassis. By Le Mans rules stipulated that all cars had to carry a four-seat body.

1955 Austin Healey 100S exhibited by Fiskens – Designed primarily with racing in mind, the Donald Healey Motor Company produced only fifty-five 100S – fifty production cars along with a further five works test and development cars – all built in 1955. The ‘S’ refers to the famous Sebring 12 Hours race, where a prototype finished third in 1954.

1990 Jaguar XJR 12 exhibited by Hall & Hall – The  Jaguar XJR 12 is 1990 Le Mans 24 Hours winner with Brundle/Nielsen/Cobb& Salazar at the wheel. Originally built as an XJR 9, Chassis N°288 debuted at Donnington Park in September 1987. After a long and successful career mainly in the USA it was converted to the Silk Cut XJR 12 to compete at Le Mans. It is the only sports car to have won both Daytona (1988) and Le Mans (1990). For further details and images see Jaguar XJR6 to XJR 12 1985 1990.

Fiat 1100E Stanguellini Berlinetta 1951 by Bertone utilises the famous Fiat 1100 four cylinder with Abarth twin Solex carburettor set up. Transmission is by a four speed gearbox with steering column shift. The car has a steel body but weight only 700 kg (1543 lb.). It is estimated that only twenty units were produced. The legend says that it was constructed in collaboration between Stanguellini and Bertone as a Gran Turismo Berlinetta to compete in mixed events such as Mille Miglia. The exhibitor, Marreyt Classics, is quoting a 135.000 Euros sales price.

Fiat Stanguellini 1100 “Nazionale” 1947. This car with steel tubular space frame has an aluminium body. It weights 580 kg (1278,6 lb.). The engine is a 1.089 cc four cylinder Fiat 508C driving the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox. Top speed is claimed for 150 kph (93,2 mph). The story says that in 1947, the Fiat Stanguellini 1100 won three times against a Ferrari 125S.

Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Vignale and Pinin Farina 1952 – Tradex presented two 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter two seats Coupes. In its early times, Ferrari was essentially building racing cars but road versions were typically proposed to finance the racing program. The Ferrari 212 was introduced in 1951 with a short wheelbase (2250 mm-88,6 in.) Export racing version and a long wheelbase (2600 mm -102,4 in.) Inter road version. The client could select the wheelbase and the power output of his car so that a ‘mix’ exists between road and racing cars. In 1951 Taruffi and Chinetti won the Carrera Panamericana while driving a Ferrari 212 Inter and this success had a definitive effect on the sales of Ferrari in the USA. The 212 Inter had a wheelbase of 2.600 mm (102,4 in) and its 2.562 cc V12 came either with single carburettor  and 150 hp (111,8 kW) or with three carburettors. Several coachbuilders proposed barchetta or coupe body styles. 32 two seats coupes were built by Vignale under a design by Michelotti while Pinin Farina made 17 two seats coupes.

Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Vignale 1952
Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pinin Farina 1952

This is the only rear-engined Vanwall ever built. It was constructed to comply with the 1961 Inter-continental Formula and is fitted with a four cylinder 2.7 Litre engine producing around 280 hp. It was raced at Silverstone in 1961 by John Surtees. It was exhibited at Retromobile by Hall & Hall.

Vittorio Jano designed a succession of touring and sports cars, culminating in the Alfa Romeo 8C2300 which had the 2.336 cc 8 cylinder supercharged engine from te Monza racing cars. The competition record of the 8C2300 was outstanding, with wins at the 24 Hours of Le  Mans consecutive in 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934, at the Mille Miglia in 1932, 1933 and 1934 and many more victories on all famous circuits in the world. The Alfa Romeo 8C2300 is rated by many to be the greatest sports and racing car of all times. The car in exhibit at Retromobile was on the Lukas Hüni AG stand. See also Alfa Romeo 8C2300 Sommer-Chinetti 1932 Le Mans Winner for further details and images.

Seven Bugatti Type 18 were built between 1912 and 1913. Only three examples are surviving today. This example with staggered seats was sold in 1913 to the French aviator Rolland Garros; in the same year Rolland Garros was the first aviator to cross the Mediterranean Sea in a non stop flight on board of his Morane-Saulnier. This Bugatti Type 18 is the fourth model delivered. In 1922 it was sold to racing driver Ivy Cummins who nicknamed the car ‘Black Bess’ after highwayman Dick Turpin’s legendary black steed. For further details and images, see Bugatti Type 18 Black Bess or Roland Garros Bugatti 1913.

Artcurial auction at 2013 Retromobile in Paris resulted in total sale for 14,6 million Euros and 90 percent of the vehicles were sold. The highest bid of 1,450 million Euros went to a 1936 Talbot Lago T150C.

1936 Talbot Lago T150C – 1,461,792 Euros . For further details and images see Talbot T150C 1936
1929  Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet Murphy – 1,036,344 Euros. For further details and images see Duesenberg Model J Convertible 1929 - coachwork by Murphy
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet – 846,012 Euros	1935 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet Vanvouren – 586,112 Euros
1995 Bugatti EB 110 SS – 448,890 Euros	1967 Ferrari 330 GTC – 418,015 Euros
1970 Lamborghini Miura S – 415,200 Euros. See Lamborghini Miura S Coupé Bertone 1969 for further details and images.
1936 Bugatti 57C Ventoux – 421,445 Euros	1935 Bugatti Type 57 Coach Ventoux – 403,149 Euros
1946  Talbot Lago T26 Record Cabriolet – 357,408 Euros	1973 DINO 246 GTS – 262,099 Euros
1898 Fisson 8 HP 3 Litres “Tonneau” – 244,229 Euros
1955 Chrysler ST Special Coupe by GHIA – 214,445 Euros
1936 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Coupe Transformable Cabriolet – 172,747 Euros. See Peugeot 402 Eclipse Convertible Coupe 1937 for further details and images.
1987 Ferrari Testa Rossa – Alain Delon – 162,025 Euros	1965 – Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato 2,8 3C – 154,877 Euros
1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole – 148,920 Euros. See Lamborghini Countach by Bertone 1971 1978 for further details and images.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette – 107,222 Euros
1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Hardtop Coupe Custom – 83,395 Euros
1956 Lincoln Premiere « Dreamsicle » Hot Rod – 59,568 Euros
1936 Lancia BELNA Cabriolet – 48,854 Euros
1969 Lamborghini Espada Serie 1 – 45,190 Euros	1990 Ferrari Testa Rossa – 42,889 Euros
1985 pre-serie Ferrari 328 GTB  - 41,698 Euros
1912 Delahaye Type 32L Limousine -  33,358 Euros. For further images and details see Delahaye Type 32L Limousine 1912.
1939 Simca 8 Cabriolet – 16,679 Euros