10-02-2025
Retromobile 2025 Photo Gallery
Retromobile is the greatest gathering of French cars, car art, racing memorabilia, car parts, and literature in the world. It's like Hershey, Monaco and the Pebble Beach concours but all in French. Held every year in Paris, the 49th Retromobile just wrapped up Sunday, with thousands of satisfied Francophiles coursing through the gates. Retromobile announced last year that it would come to the US in 2025, though exactly where and when is not out yet.
The show opened with dancing.
Organizers explained the Citroën DS exhibit: "This year, for our exhibition's 49th anniversary, we decided to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Citroën DS in an original if not slightly unusual way. Through its place in automotive history, this vehicle called for a stroke of folly. Under our partnership with DS Automobiles, we wanted to shine a light on a previously less-publicized episode in the career of the DS.
"In 1959, Claude Puech, the French brand's adman, dreamt up a promotional campaign showcasing the benefits of the car's hydropneumatic suspension, replacing the wheels with four inflated balls. At Retromobile, we made our slightly eccentric dream come true by not only making it this year's key visual and giving it center stage, but also by recreating it. Starting from a car wreck, GARAC—the automotive professions academy—has conducted its mission with enthusiasm and determination.
"Since September last year, 30 young students from the training college, supervised by the teaching staff, have taken turns during the week and even at weekends to give a new lease of life to the DS Balloons in time for the show. But that's not all, because since one stroke of folly often provokes another, we had to give this model a worthy backdrop of the cause. This is what brought us to strike a deal with Régis Mathieu, the founder of the chandelier company bearing his name. Deservedly renowned for his know-how, this 'magician of light' offers you a visiting experience the like of which has never been seen before at an exhibition."
Jean-Claude Olivier (28 February 1945 – 12 January 2013), often referred to simply as "JCO," was a French motorcycle racer and president of Yamaha Motor France SA from 1992 to 2010. He helped launch the careers of many famous French riders including Stéphane Peterhansel. He was a veteran of nine editions of the Dakar Rally, placing second in the motorcycle category in 1985.
Olivier was president of Yamaha Motor France SA until he retired in 2010.
There was an exhibit honoring the life of Adolphe Kégresse, a French military engineer who invented the half-track and dual clutch transmission.
Books, art, and parts spread out across the halls.
A special exhibit honored French participation in F1.
French driver Alain Prost drove for Ferrari.
The evolution of F1 tires from Pirelli.
Indian motorcycles had old and new bikes at Retromobile.
This stand commemorates Hondas raced in National Motos.
A recreation of the Ace Cafe in London, where great motorcycle culture flourished in the post-war period.
GS DO BRAZIL says it is "passionate about the first-gen Volkswagen vans, and is responsible for finding and bringing your future collector's vehicle up to current French quality and safety standards. Our goal is to bring you a quality turnkey Combi T1, which, in addition to its unique charm, will provide you with the highest guarantee of safety and quality. We drive our VW T1 Combis with our families and want you to do the same with complete peace of mind!"
"Essence" means gas.
Show map.
One of the body shops represnting at Retromobile, and a fan.
Early affordable transportation.
Mario Isola, director of F1 for Pirelli.
More model cars!
Bring me the helmet of Jean Alesi.
...or Alain Prost.
French race car driver Gerrard Larousse was one of the interviewees.
F1 presenter Julien Febreau was featured, too.
Stylish show attendee.
Name this taillight, win a prize.
Olivier Panis won the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix in a Ligier.
Old cars were available for rides outside the show.
Old cars were available for rides outside the show.
A Mercedes shop had an exhibit.
Watches, too.
Brabus also works on classic cars.
Another view of the Citroen DS 70th anniversary.
The Renault Filante Record 2025 is a battery-electric streamliner used to develop new technologies—and maybe set a land speed record for EVs. This wild machine uses an 87-kWh battery pack, which has the same capacity as the Scenic E-Tech SUV. The Filante Record 2025 streamliner takes inspiration from the 40 CV Des Records from 1925-26, Nervasport Des Records from 1934, and Etoile Filante from 1956.
Also on the Renault stand was an R5 TL.
Very cool Mercedes.
...from any angle.
More rides outside the show.
More rides outside the show.
Toyota brought a RAV4 EV and an early Prius.
Cadillac brought this historic entry.
1960 Ferrari Tour de France
Fiskens Cars brought this 1976 McLaren M26/1 ex James Hunt/Jochen Mass. The first McLaren M26, raced in period by both Jochen Mass and Britain's beloved world champion James Hunt— retained by McLaren into the 1990s, and offered from nearly 25 years' of ownership and prolific success in historic racing—importantly the only M26 eligible for Grid E at Monaco.
1970 Ferrari 312 B, another fine Fisken Car.
Peter Auto is a racing organization that hosts historic races for sports prototypes, touring cars, and grand touring cars. The races take place on circuits like Spa-Francorchamps, Dijon-Prenois, and Paul Ricard.
Metalworking.
Representin'!
American cars at Retromobile.
USA! USA! USA!
The Armored Vehicle Museum display and Teuf-Teuf offered "Ever more breath-taking demonstrations."
Everyday, visitors were able to see the AMX PAC 10 tank in action in front E of Pavilion 1.
The Le Mans Classic race had a stand.
Art works.
Posters.
More art.
Car models.
A Michael Schumacher driving suit.
Miniature Mille Miglia.
Fashions.
Parts.
Patches.
Signs.
The family that Retros together, Metros together.
One of the many live interviews at Retromobile.
Artcurial holds an auction every year at Retromobile.
Among the Artcurial lots was this Shelby Cobra.
Porsche 911s.
More of the 70th anniversary of the Citroën DS.
More of the 70th anniversary of the Citroën DS.
Is that... The Stig?
The Renault 4, or R4 in short (and 4L, pronounced "Quatrelle" in French) was an economy car built from 1961 to 1994.
Suzuki Samurai for sale.
1993 Austin Mini has 133,000 kms on the clock.
Artcurial did motorcycles, too.
Artcurial Ferraris at auction.
Paul Alexandre Belmondo (born 23 April 1963) raced in Formula One for the March and Pacific Racing teams.
Around 1981, Belmondo gained fame for becoming the lover of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.
The French F1 exhibit featured a visit by driver Jacques Lafitte.
...and by Jean-Pierre Beltoise.
Jackie Stewart got his first F1 title in a Matra.
