Rétromobile 2026
OUR FAVOURITES
At the Rétromobile preview, the atmosphere is always special: fewer crowds, more time to observe the details, chat and let yourself be captivated by the smell of a weathered interior, the depth of a paint finish or the perfection of a bodywork adjustment. Once again this year, we had the pleasure of strolling through the aisles and (re)discovering a selection of vehicles that was as coherent as it was inspiring, a true distillation of automotive culture, from pure competition to grand touring cars. Among the most memorable stands, it is impossible not to mention Joe Macari and Fiskens, whose displays remind us how much presentation is part of the experience. And because certain silhouettes remain in our minds long after we have left the show, here are our nine favourites, the ones we simply wanted to share with you on Timeless Classics.
The Queen of Le Mans: FERRARI 250 LM #5893
On display at the Richard Mille stand, the Ferrari 250 LM we admired is no ordinary 250 LM. It is chassis no. 5893, built in 1965, and above all the only Ferrari 250 LM to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall.
Enttered that year by the North American Racing Team (NART) under number 21, this car became legendary by beating the prototypes officially entered by the factories. At the wheel were two leading drivers: Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory, who delivered a performance as daring as it was historic. Visually, this 250 LM encapsulates everything that made mid-1960s Ferrari racing cars so magical:
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a compact, squat silhouette
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rear-mounted V12 engine concealed beneath taut bodywork
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a permanent impression of balance and determination, even when stationary
Seeing chassis 5893 in such pristine condition, showcased in a contemporary setting, reminds us how certain cars transcend their status as racing machines to become true cultural and historical icons. This 250 LM alone embodies an era when private daring could still beat official armies, a message that resonates perfectly with the spirit of Rétromobile and Timeless Classics.
Lamborghini Miura #4809
There are cars that change history when they arrive, and the Miura is one of them. In this ultra-expressive yellow colour, it naturally catches the eye, but it is above all its proportions that are mesmerising: low, wide, sensual, almost unreal.
The detail we loved: the way its rear seems to be ‘sculpted’ around the mechanics, with its instantly recognisable signature. Special mention goes to the exhibition setting, where you can sense that each car has been chosen as a collector's item. On sale at Broad Arrow.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 VIOLA DINO METALLIZATO
At Niki Hasler's stand, our attention was immediately drawn to a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ with an extraordinary presence, dressed in its Viola Dino Metallizzato colour (ref. 106-A-71). Far from being a simple ‘purple’, this vintage colour enhances the Daytona's sleek lines and gives it an almost jewel-like elegance under the showroom lights. And the detail that changes everything. This configuration is extremely rare: only seven examples of the 365 GTB/4 are known to have been delivered new in this specific colour, and the car on display is one of them. Combined with a beige interior (Pelle Beige, VM 3234), it perfectly illustrates what we love at Rétromobile: these original, documented combinations that tell the story of an era and transform a great classic into a unique collector's item.
Two Barchettas CONTENDERS
At Fiskens: a Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series II
One of the most fascinating items at Fiskens was this Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series II with bodywork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, a pure distillation of the 1950s “barchetta” sports prototype. The car is known as chassis 0564 MD, but, in a rare and well-documented case, it was renumbered ‘0424 MD’ by the factory before shipment so that its first owner, French driver Yves Dupont, could avoid import duties; this change is mentioned in the manufacturing documents. Completed on 26 May 1955 and delivered to Dupont, it made its competitive debut at the 12 Hours of Hyères, then competed in the Liège-Rome-Liège, before returning to Maranello. It then remained in the Ferrari fold, notably being exhibited at Monza after being repainted red, before regaining its original colour (a ‘French racing blue’) during a painstaking process of stripping back the paint to reveal the original layer. What makes this model exceptional to the eye and to collectors is its level of originality, the preservation of its major components (engine/transaxle/Scaglietti bodywork) and its Ferrari Classiche ‘Red Book’ certification, which make it a Mondial Series II that is as desirable in competitions as it is in major historical events.
At Girardo & Co: 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, chassis 0510M
A few aisles away, the 750 Monza exhibited by Girardo & Co. was one of the cars that best encapsulated the ‘Rétromobile spirit’: a lightweight, direct racing barquette, unadorned and yet stunningly beautiful when you take the time to appreciate its lines. This was a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, chassis 0510M, highlighted as a piece of motorsport history, particularly for its racing record (often cited for its 2nd place finish at the 1955 12 Hours of Sebring with Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby). On the stand, it perfectly illustrated why these Ferrari ‘Monza’ cars are so fascinating: a car built to win, whose beauty comes directly from its function and which commands respect, even among more modern icons.
The legend of the Mazda 787B ROTARY ENGINE
Even among European icons, the Mazda 787B retains a special aura. We are not just talking about a racing car: we are talking about a symbol, a strong technical identity, an unforgettable sound for all those who have ever heard it, and a major chapter in the history of endurance racing.
It deserves its place in a ‘favourites’ selection because it embodies audacity, difference, and the ability to leave a lasting impression beyond passing fads.
Porsche Carrera RSR 2.8 THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN ROAD AND RUNNING
At the Thiesen stand, this Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR took on an even more special dimension thanks to its history... and its Alsatian roots. This is chassis 9113600791 (No. 19/55), the only known example delivered in this Dalmation Blue/Seeblau colour scheme, a unique colour in the production of RSR 2.8 ‘customer’ cars. Its first owner was Dominique Thiry, based in Strasbourg, who raced it successfully from 1973 onwards: victory at the Circuit des Vosges, then overall victory at the 4 Hours of Dijon, before continuing its sporting career in France. The story continues with several French owners, one of whom drove the car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1975. The car is now presented in superbly restored condition, ready to drive and even registered for road use.
McLaren F1 GTR LONGTAIL 27R
At the preview, it was impossible to miss the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail chassis 27R, especially since it is now being auctioned by RM Sotheby's: a true ‘monumental piece’ of GT1 from the 1990s. McLaren built only 28 in total, and 27R is one of the rarest Longtails with a rich and well-documented racing history: driven by Stefan Johansson, Gary Ayles and Chris Goodwin, it was loaned to Team Lark for the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans (in ‘Rocket Pink/Obsidian Grey’ livery on the Lark side), then returned to Parabolica for the FIA GT championship, where it achieved a feat that has become legendary: it is the only private Longtail to have led a race (at Silverstone, in chaotic weather conditions) . Later, it returned to the track in the 1999 British GT with AM Racing, before enjoying a second life as a ‘usable’ collector's item: restored and converted for road use by Lanzante, registered in the United Kingdom, and above all retaining its original BMW Type S70/3 engine (matching numbers), a particularly sought-after feature on GTRs. One last detail that will appeal to enthusiasts: a major overhaul in February 2025 at Lanzante (over £53,000), and a reversible wrap featuring the Lark Le Mans livery, with the Parabolica paintwork underneath, ready for both competition and fast driving, on the road or at historic events.
The Ferrari prototype IN ITS PUREST FORM
At the Girardo & Co stand, the Ferrari 275 P chassis 0816 was clearly one of the show's ‘iconic’ cars: the only Ferrari known to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice overall (1963 and 1964). What makes its history even more fascinating is that this double victory has only recently been fully clarified: after archival research, the Ferrari Classiche department confirmed that 0816 had also won in 1963 (the car having raced under the administrative identity of another chassis), before being converted to a 275 P and triumphing again in 1964.
And for a collector, this is not just a nice story: the car is authenticated by Ferrari Classiche, with copies of the certification documented (proof of a serious and ‘locked’ file). Finally, its status as a major piece is also confirmed by its ‘market’ exposure: it has already been offered through RM Sotheby's Private Sales division, without going through a public auction, which says a lot about its rank in the hierarchy of Ferrari prototypes.
