Retromobile 2009 - Good, but is it as as good as NEC?
Our first visit to Retromobile was a last minute decision, but one which we really enjoyed. Finding the convention centre was easy and getting from the car park to the exhibition hall was far less taxing (for brains and feet) than at Birmingham's NEC!
Once inside, there was no problem finding L'Aventure Peugeot's stand as it was in prime position just inside the entrance. The Sochaux museum had lent several exhibits and the French clubs affiliated to L'Aventure Peugeot had provided an example of each of their specialisms. The display took alternative energy sources as its theme and so there were vehicles of all types using different fuel systems.
The earliest power sources were represented by bicycles and a steam tricycle of 1889 while early petrol engines were shown as used in the charming Type 3 of 1891. Peugeot, of course, have been using diesel for many years and the first production diesel car (1938 402 model) was shown in chassis form on the stand. But the most interesting exhibits were created to alleviate the fuel shortages of the Second World War. There was a 1941 electric VLV on display which had been used by the postal service and a 1940 402 adapted to burn charcoal. This car will be familiar to those who have visited the museum but it was good to see it again, nevertheless.
The cars displayed by the French Peugeot clubs were varied, from the models shown by the miniatures club to the beautiful cars and commercials - including an immaculate 403 cabriolet and pick-up. It was incredibly hard to find a favourite but of personal interest were the 104 ZS with immaculate upholstery (if only my upholstery was as superb) and the 304 which proved to us that wiper arms could be silver and original!
There was, of course, far more to the show than the Peugeot stand. Other manufacturers were present, including Citroen and BMW/Mini who both presented large and interesting displays. We were surprised to notice that nothing was offered by Renault and many of the other exhibitors only had one or maybe two cars on show. Bonhams, the auctioneers, had held a sale earlier in the show and those cars that had been under the hammer were also on display, including the 1937 Bugatti 57S Atalante found in a Newcastle garage and which sold for over 3 million quid!
So, how does Retromobile, often billed as Europe's greatest show case for classic cars, rate alongside other shows? We haven't been to Essen and so can't comment, but the Classic Motor Show at the NEC gives the Paris show a real run for its money and in some instances wins hands down. What Retromobile offers is a far greater contribution from L'Aventure Peugeot and so more Peugeot exhibits. In some ways, visiting Retromobile is a taster for people who haven't yet ventured further south to Sochaux. If, however, you want to see a huge variety of manufacturers, then Birmingham offers that and the traders stalls at the NEC were more numerous and varied than those who attended Retromobile. While we thoroughly enjoyed our day in Paris, we don't think we'll make it an annual pilgrimage but we will certainly be in Birmingham later this year.
Alison Budd
