DISCOVER THE FIVE MECHANICAL WONDERS OF RÉTROMOBILE
14.02.2019
Not many motor shows display an exuberant amount of the finest motorcars as Rétromobile in Paris. An incredible tour the force realized by restauration specialists from all over the world bringing their finest realizations to the city of light. Because it’s impossible to see everything we’ll show you our personal highlights.
Jensen CV8
Let’s start with a car that can be found on the Motul stand. A Bond car we didn’t know about? Sean Connery and the Bond-saga are unmistakably linked to Aston Martin. Technically, apart from the “You only live twice” premiere, this car has been nowhere near a Bond scene. This Jensen was originally owned by non-other than Sean Connery, which gives it a massive ‘coolness’ factor!
Lancia 037
There aren’t many words that sound as good to the ears of a petrolhead than “Homologation special”. Back in the eighties the rules of the World Rally Championship, and especially for the infamous group B category, obliged manufacturers to produce a minimum of serial road-cars derived from the race car version. Exactly these rules gave birth to the legendary Ford RS200 and the Audi Sport Quattro. The Lancia might be one of the most revered as it took up the fight versus the Quattro Audi’s. Using only a rear wheel driven transmission in the hands of non-other than the legendary Walter Röhrl.
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
This CLK GTR tells a similar story as the Lancia 037. This car is effectively a Le Mans racer converted into a road car. Driving in the same league as Lancia, Mercedes-Benz had to build a limited series of production cars of the race car to obtain homologation. No less then 30 were ever produced and every one of them is worth a fortune these days.
Berliet T100
This mastodon is probably one of the biggest trucks in the world. Originally built in 1957 this massive 50 tons and 20-meter-long truck was used to tackle the Sahara Desert in the continuous search for crude oil. It’s powered by a 30L Cummins V12 engine, producing 700 horsepower. No wonder it has been discontinued because of its exuberant fuel consumption. Only four where ever built and it took nine months to build one.
Range Rover Classic
If you like the great outdoors but the Berliet is a bit too much, Land Rover Classic offers you a wonderful solution. It’s called the Ranger Rover reborn and it’s a full factory restoration and upgrade of the classic Range Rover. This one is the famous two door model featuring completely new or refurbished body panels, lush leather seats and a brand-new audio and navigation system to make your day-to-day commute a bit more comfortable. It’s not a bargain though, with prices starting at £135.000.
Discover our best off below:
Pictures: © Frederik Herregods