Rétromobile 2026: A Spectacular 50th Celebration of Automotive Legacy

Text & Images: Gautam Sen

The historic vehicle world’s most important salon concluded just over a week ago. It is therefore time to reflect on the 50th edition of Rétromobile, an extraordinary celebration of historic vehicles, both cars and motorcycles, as well as automotive culture.

Held from 27 January to 1 February 2026 at Paris’s Porte de Versailles, this milestone edition drew record-breaking crowds, with 181,500 visitors demonstrating the enduring appeal of this iconic show.

Spread across Halls 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and Hall 4, including the Ultimate Supercar Garage as well as a section for the sale of vehicles priced at less than €30,000, Rétromobile 2026 faced logistical challenges due to the sheer volume of attendees.

Social media feedback highlighted difficulties navigating crowded aisles, high parking fees, and limited food options. Despite these challenges, the organisers and exhibitors expressed pride in bringing together such a passionate and engaged audience of automotive enthusiasts.

Manufacturers embraced the show by showcasing historic models alongside their latest releases: Renault highlighted the Clio, Honda the Prelude, Volkswagen celebrated 50 years of the Golf GTI, and Peugeot juxtaposed the 205 GTI with its new all-electric 208 GTI.

Most notably, among the 18 vehicle manufacturers exhibiting at Rétromobile, Royal Enfield made its debut, presenting a special display of historic Flying Flea models alongside a newly built example, with its current range showcased across the aisle.

Rétromobile is more than a display of vehicles; it is a celebration of automotive heritage. This year featured exhibitions organised by clubs and partners, including the Bugatti railcar and a retrospective of vehicles owned by actor Steve McQueen.

The salon’s auction, conducted this year by Gooding Christie’s, drew considerable attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike. Additional high-profile auctions were held across Paris by Artcurial at the Peninsula Hotel, RM Sotheby’s at the Louvre’s Carousel, Bonhams at the Polo Grounds, and Aguttes at other venues.

For its 50th anniversary, the show expanded across nearly 80,000 square metres, cementing Paris as the global hub for historic vehicles. Unlike many modern auto shows, historic brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and Peugeot continue to invest heavily, unveiling rare prototypes and racing legends from events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The presence of international dealers showcased timeless masterpieces, from the Bugatti Type 35 to the Lamborghini Miura. Visitors also discovered skilled artisans, such as coachbuilders, upholsterers, and engine specialists, preserving traditional craftsmanship essential for restoring these vehicles.

Workshops like ART Restauration and P1 Espace Auto demonstrated a blend of artisanal skill and modern technology, ensuring these mechanical treasures endure for future generations.

Rétromobile 2026 also featured, for the first time in France, the BMW Art Car World Tour, bringing together seven BMW Art Cars from the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Visitors admired masterpieces by Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, and Julie Mehretu, blending contemporary art with high-performance engineering in a “legendary garage” in Hall 7.2.

Hall 4 housed the Ultimate Supercar Garage, showcasing Aston Martin, Bertone, Bugatti, Ferrari, Pagani, Maserati, Bentley, and Lamborghini. Highlights included Maserati’s MCXtrema and GT2 Stradale, Bentley’s Continental GT Supersports, Aston Martin’s Valkyrie LM and Valhalla, Lamborghini’s exclusive Fenomeno, and Bugatti’s one-off F.K.P. Hommage, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Veyron with 1600-horsepower performance. Bertone unveiled the Toyota-powered Runabout sports car to popular acclaim.

Across three floors in Hall 7, visitors explored historic clubs and parts at level 7.1, and manufacturer displays at level 7.2. Peugeot celebrated the legendary 205 GTI in multiple engine and body variants, alongside the 208 GTI. Renault highlighted the Clio across generations, including rare RS, V6, Group A, and Maxi Kit Car versions. Citroën showcased concept cars like the ELO, Cactus, C10, and Karin, tracing decades of innovative design.

European manufacturers impressed with retrospectives and milestones. Volkswagen celebrated 50 years of GTI, and Škoda traced 125 years of motorsport history with classic and modern models, including the Enyaq RS race concept.

Rétromobile also thrilled the moneyed type with record auction results such as Gooding Christie’s 83 lots generating €50.41 million (Rs 537 crore), led by a 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO selling for over €9 million (Rs 96 crore). Bonhams presented 80 lots, including a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' for over €1.2 million (Rs 12.7 crore) and other classic rarities, attracting both local and international buyers.

Of particular interest to Indian readers were two exceptional masterpieces from the Pranlal Bhogilal Collection: the 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C (1927 Hispano-Suiza H6C: The Rebirth of a Legend), displayed at the French Hispano-Suiza Club stand, and the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K (1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K: The Reawakening!), showcased at the FIVA stand. The latter received a FIVA Identity Card during Rétromobile. Both automobiles drew widespread admiration and were resounding highlights of the show.

Aware of the record attendance and the impact on visitor experience, organisers plan improvements for smoother navigation and amenities in future editions. The next Rétromobile Paris is scheduled for 3-7 February 2027, and the event is set to expand internationally with Rétromobile New York from 19-22 November 2026. Start making plans!