The Rétromobile classic car show returned to Paris from 28 January to 1 February 2026, celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The event featured a busy schedule of auctions, including a notable sale by Artcurial. Attendees enjoyed displays across three floors, highlighting Europe's premier indoor classic car gathering.
Rétromobile Paris, described as Europe's finest indoor classic car show, took place from 28 January to 1 February 2026 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The event marked its 50th anniversary with a new competition and drew crowds to its three floors of exhibits. Paris's rich automotive history, encompassing brands like Renault, Citroën, Facel Vega, Panhard et Levassor, Delage, Voisin, Talbot-Lago, DB, and Darracq, provided fitting context for the gathering.
The week around Rétromobile included a fourth auction, making for an especially busy schedule in Paris. Artcurial, following its ousting as the official auction partner of the show, held its sale on 27 January. Among the highlights was a Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing sold for £3.7 million. This original and unrestored example drew triple the usual price due to its provenance: it was bought new by Frenchman Claude Foussi.
Earlier in January, the action began in the United States with Mecum's Kissimmee sale in Florida, followed by auctions in Arizona from Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams, and RM Sotheby's. These events achieved a total of 47 sales, though exact figures were not specified in reports. Notably, a Ferrari 250 GTO fetched $38.5 million, purchased by collector David Lee for the white example, underscoring the global interest in classic cars despite the focus shifting to Rétromobile.
Simon Taylor, in his column, noted the show's improved quality, with money-drenched dealers' stands featuring favorites among attendees. The event reinforced Rétromobile's status as a vintage highlight.
