Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Paris: Bonhams' Auction February 2012



After leaving the Paris Paper Show venue at Halle Freyssinet Wednesday evening I realized there was another event at the opposite end of the building. I walked back in, out of the bitter cold, and there were attendants for a Bonhams' auction of classic cars, welcoming the preview crowd. Wonderful serendipity!


I head upstairs to the cocktail party, overflowing with beautiful people, champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Very nicely done and as the Brits would say, quite posh. Back down on the lower floor, the main attractions: vintage classics, racing cars, motorcycles as well as automobile collectibles.


The auction was scheduled to coincide with the Retromobile classic car show about 15 minutes away from the Freyssinet location. The sale was a mixed bag of rare and unusual vehicles as well a few highlights, notably Bugattis, Bentleys and one very rare Austin Martin.


(above) Long view of the main hall, the presentation stage in the background.


Bugatti 1928 Amilcar C6 Voiturette


Bentley R-Type Petersen 6½-Litre Supercharged Road Racer
Bentley R-Type Petersen 6½-Litre Supercharged Road Racer
Bentley R-Type Petersen 6½-Litre Supercharged Road Racer





1928 Bugatti Type 35B Re-Creation
1928 Bugatti Type 35B Re-Creation
 1928 Bugatti Type 35B Re-Creation


 Bentley Petersen 6½-Litre 'Dartmoor' Coupé Chassis
 Bentley Petersen 6½-Litre 'Dartmoor' Coupé Chassis
 Bentley Petersen 6½-Litre 'Dartmoor' Coupé Chassis


More great cars....

 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Coupé


1960 Chevrolet Corvette 'JRG Special' Competition Coupe


1954 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Re-Creation
1954 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Re-Creation


 Long view of the second hall.



1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupé
 1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupé






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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Paris: Retromobile 2012 Classic Car Show


The Retromobile classic car show was a scheduling surprise for me as I arrived in Paris for the paper show at Freyssinet. As an avid drag racing fan in a previous life and subsequent car lover ever since I had to get to Retromobile! Sunday morning, a light dusting of snow on the ground, was my only opportunity


One of the most prestigious automobile shows in the world, Retromobile assembles incredible cars from around the world. Hispano Suiza, Bugatti, Mercedes Benz, Renault, BMW, Citroen, Ferrari, Maserarti, Porsche and Corvettes as well as motorcycles and vintage racing cars were represented and on display in the huge main hall.


My photos include automobile exhibits as well as the second hall, the "gasoline alley" area of the show. This second hall included dealers offering vintage collectibles, toy cars and trucks, artworks, advertising and racing posters, fine art, moderne style sculptures, paper ephemera, rally badges, hood mascots and much more.













































 Motorcycles



Portion of the Sunday morning parade line-up

Passing off a 1955 Chevy (no doubt nicely done) as a 
New York City Checker cab.


Gasoline alley

An integral part of Retromobile are the dealers selling vintage automobile collectibles, toy cars and trucks, enameled signs and original artworks as well books, catalogs, service manuals and magazines. The selection seemed endless as the second hall was devoted to vendors selling vintage and new collectibles. 
Great stuff!










Did I mention I love vitrines!







There were aisles filled with dealers selling detailed scale models. 
Real versions of the two cars below were on display at the show.


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