Retromobile’s star has faded in the past two years for motorcyclists and vintage car enthusiasts, as the show’s management has effectively nixed two-wheel participation in favor of more space for new car manufacturers. The increases in per-square-metre cost (previously, a lower rate applied to bike booths) have begun to squeeze out the smaller autojumble traders who previously made up a healthy proportion of the floor space at the Parc des Expositions, while the show was shortened to 5 days from the previous luxury of 10.The show still boasts some amazing four-wheeled machinery, although there is now only a single motorcycle-related stand (Motos Antiquas H-D), plus a few scattered bikes at stalwart BMW (who can always be relied upon to share a few factory treasures), and Skoda, who showed a 1919 Slavia made same factory back in the day. A few clubs and businesses also included a bike or two, and Artcurial Auctions had a much-improved selection of two-wheelers on offer…so all was not lost, although the Bernard Salvat-curated bike displays of past years are very much missed.As always, the biggest benefit for visitors is meeting like-minded people from other countries, and it was great to see Alain de Cadanet, Malcolm Clube, Julian Balme (who laid out the Fisken stand, and covered Salon Privé for The Vintagent in Sep 2011), Conrad Leach, the editors of The Automobile, PrewarCar.com, The Dandy, Café Racers (Fr), Octane, Retro Passion, etc, etc…For a vintage motorcyclist, you’d need a healthy dose of car-appreciation to justify a trip to Paris for Retromobile, but the Bonhams sale and other moto-spots (see my accompanying posts) in the City of Light make a long weekend worthwhile. And, always and always, the city itself is the premier attraction, whatever the season…one can never get enough of Paris.
Wow, some great shots!
LoOve picture of Reginald and the Gérin, all so enthusiastic and charming 🙂
Paul ;
Why is it good sir you insist on making me spend my money ( first Mens File , now on Denis Sire )
Hmmmph !
( just joshing )
Great photos and coverage . Too bad the show is slipping a bit though . Any thoughts why ? ( economy etc )
Hi Paul
It was nice to see you in Paris.
Thank you for your comments about our stand at RÉTROMOBILE and about AMF.
Stay tuned !!
Pierre Antoine FAURE
AVIGNON MOTOR FESTIVAL
Développement & Communication
I am not worthy to look upon these machines! Thank you for showing them.
carreful when you wrote
“Hubert Auriol and Gaston Rahier’s 1983 Paris-Dakar BMW GS, the winner that year. Hubert Auriol is the only person to have won this punishing event on two and four wheels…the Surtees of the desert!
Think about Stéphane PETERHANSEL…
Vince The Hell rider from MALAKOFF
Stéphane Peterhansel has also won Paris-Dakar on two and four wheels.
Very much enjoying your Paris coverage.
Yes, should have put ‘first’ instead of only…which I’ve now done. Thanks for the correction – I love that there are hardcore Paris-Dakar fans who keep me straight!
Paul,
the R100RS was used in Nardo to beat some speed records : http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.303734109674176.67993.190542060993382&type=3
let me know when you’re in Paris next time 🙂