The Rétromobile Show will open its doors from January 28 to February 1 at the Porte de Versailles to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Over the course of half a century, the event has established itself as the must-attend event for classic car enthusiasts.
More than just a show, over the decades Retromobile has become an institution where a passion for mechanics is combined with history and excellence…
Launched in 1976, the Rétromobile show was originally just a gathering of vintage vehicles. But it quickly became the must-attend event for collectors and knowledgeable enthusiasts, attracting prestigious exhibitors, exceptional clubs, and major auction houses.
Fifty years of memorable editions
At the dawn of the 2000s, the show was already echoing with major celebrations : in 2007, it honored the Fiat 500 on its 50th anniversary as well as the Mercedes 300 SL Roadster, while Christie’s organized a sale of automotive treasures, which has become a regular feature of the show over time.
The following year, in 2008, the event celebrated the 60th anniversary of the legendary Citroën 2CV with a grand tribute to “women and cars,” exhibiting exceptional pieces such as Jean Bertin‘s Aérotrain in the aisles of the show.
In 2015, the 40th edition set a record for attendance at the time by paying tribute to Roger Baillon‘s collections, some of which included Ferraris and Hispano-Suizas that had been preserved for decades.
The show continued its exploration of major automotive anniversaries, as in the 2019 edition, which was notable for its exceptional celebration of Citroën’s centenary, bringing together a dozen historic models, from the very first Type A to contemporary concept cars, illustrating a century of automotive innovation and design.
In 2022, the show celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Renault 5, showcasing not only historic models but also the prototype that heralded the modern renaissance of the small city car. Then, in 2024, Rétromobile further developed its thematic approach by putting British cars in the spotlight, notably the Jaguar XK140, as well as an exhibition enriched with rare motorcycles and areas dedicated to exceptional two-wheelers.
Finally, last year was a record-breaking year : no fewer than 146,000 visitors attended the five-day show, up 12% from 2024, once again illustrating the attachment of the French and certain international visitors to exceptional classic cars.
A 50th anniversary marked by passion
For its 50th edition, the show has designed a program worthy of the event, conceived as a true celebration of automotive culture, with more than 1,100 cars and 620 exhibitors expected ! Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, this edition aims to highlight that classic cars are not only fascinating objects, but also a true part of our intangible cultural heritage.
For example, one of the highlights of this edition will be the exceptional presentation of all the BMW Art Cars that have participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans over fifty years of history, from the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder in 1975 to the BMW M Hybrid of 2024.
The show will also feature a unique retrospective on “The Golden Age of Rallying,” offering an immersion into the cars and heroes of the World Rally Championship from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Other attractions will include exhibitions dedicated to a wide variety of topics, such as legendary motorcycles, motorsport icons, and cult figures such as Steve McQueen, in addition to the traditional auctions in collaboration with Gooding & Christie’s, which has just signed a multi-year partnership with the show.
And this year, enthusiasts will have twice as much nostalgia to enjoy : Rétromobile will cross the Atlantic for the first time, setting up shop in New York for an American edition scheduled for November 19-22, 2026.
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