The Schlumpf Museum, now under government control, sent this fantastic 212 Monoposto of 1949, serial number 110. Click here for larger image.

The cockpit is certainly not over-restored, and aside from the highly polished aluminum, is probably very close to how it appeared over a half century ago in the hands of Rudy Fischer. Click here for larger image.

Two views of the 121LM Spider Scaglietti, 0558LM, displayed by the "Fight Against Cancer" organization. The famous six cylinder Ferrari is now owned by Antoine Midy. Click here for larger image.

Click here for larger image.

One of Vignale's most aggressive designs, this 212 Inter Coupe Vignale, 0179 EL was also one of the favorites of the show. Click here for larger image.

The Jean Sage 375 MM Berlinetta Pininfarina, 0358AM, poses strikingly at this year's Retro. Click here for larger image.

The beautiful, flowing lines created by Pininfarina are evident from the rear as well as the front. Click here for larger image.

For more than two decades, Retromobile has been the season opener in Europe for collectors, enthusiasts, and dealers. Paris is always worth a trip, especially when it concerns automobiles. Each year a wide variety of car people from all over the world travel to France to enjoy the renowned oldtimer car show and swap meet. This year, it took place from 8th to 17th of February in the traditional exhibition complex at Porte de Versailles in the Parisian suburbs. Among the Americans observed at this year's Retromobile were Jon Shirley of Seattle Washington and L. Scott George, President of the Collier Collection in Naples Florida, who joined major collectors from Japan and Europe.

All the oldtimer car clubs had their own exhibition stands; from France, Citroen, Delahaye, Renault (with a sensational Formula One car display), Alpine and Matra; from Germany, Mercedes (showing a competition car on their recently recreated blue racing car transporter) and Porsche. With stands from Italy, Dino, Alfa Romeo, among many more.

This year's main theme was Jaguar, and about a dozen varieties of the British marque were prominently displayed. French tire manufacturer Michelin showed the Jean Sage-owned Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta Pinin Farina of 1953 on their stand. The Musée National de l'Automobile of Mulhouse, better known as Schlumpf Collection, brought a stunning 1949 Ferrari 212 Monoposto, originally driven by Swiss race ace Rudy Fischer and his Ecurie Espadon. The French organization "Fight against Cancer" displayed Antoine Midy's spectacular Ferrari 121 LM Spider Scaglietti.

Motoring art is also a big theme as are model cars of all sizes. Visitors can browse through car literature, buy old and new photographs or sales brochures, and all sorts of hard to find spare parts. An additional feature is a special department with historic wooden motorboats such as Riva and Boesch. British auctioneer Christie's held a sale during the Retromobile and offered a mouth-watering array of cars. However, they offered only one Ferrari, a 330 GTC, originally painted Blu Celeste and delivered new in Belgium by Garage Francorchamps.

A visit to Retromobile is always fascinating and very interesting. But with each passing year, it becomes a bigger, more publicised event and therefore more crowded with couples pushing their strollers and eating french fries. Such is life---

© Marcel Massini 18/02/02

Type	Chassis#	Owner
212 Export Spider Motto	0094 E	Antoine Midy
212 F2 Monoposto 1949	110	Schlumpf Museum
212 Inter Coupé Vignale	0179 EL	Jack Braam Ruben StandJan Smits
375 MM Berlinetta Pinin Farina	0358 AM	Jean Sage
121 LM Spider Scaglietti	0558 LM	Antoine Midy
330 GTC	9983	Unknown seller
330 GTC	11007	Christie's Auction

© Marcel Massini 10/02/02