Rétromobile Paris 2026: Inside the Legendary Classic Car Show, Coming Soon to New York
In one of Paris’ largest exhibition halls, acres of classic automotive treasures await admiration. Celebrating its 50th edition in France, writer Dan Latif and photographer Julien Fautrat show and tell the story of Rétromobile ahead of its New York City debut later this year.
A Place to Dream: 2026 Edition of Rétromobile Paris
First taking place in February 1976, Rétromobile is, above all, a passion: a passion for true automobiles; those meant to be admired as much as they are meant to be driven. A passion for classic cars, shared by young and old alike. Here, not every car is necessarily for sale. Many are simply on display for the pleasure of the eye, reminding us that the automobile can be a work of art, a legacy — and, above all, an emotion.
For the 2026 edition, the show saw historic attendance, with a record-breaking crowd of more than 180,000 visitors. A milestone edition living up to its reputation, bringing together seasoned collectors, long-time enthusiasts, and a curious new generation.
Ferrari of Le Mans at Richard Mille at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
For many, Rétromobile is not merely a motor show. As Nicolas Meunier, journalist for Challenges, so eloquently puts it, it is “a truly remarkable edition, where the exceptional is once again the norm. One may regret the scarcity of popular classics, but those are plentiful at Sunday gatherings. People come to Rétromobile to dream, to marvel at what cannot be found elsewhere, to admire automobiles worth several million euros. This is much like going to the Louvre to contemplate a work by Rembrandt, Raphael, or Goya.”
Wandering the aisles, visitor encounters were as striking as the cars themselves. Musician Jay Kay, better known as Jamiroquai, chart-topping musician Florent Pagny, Gordon Murray (the visionary creator of the legendary McLaren F1) and even Christian Horner, head of Red Bull Racing in Formula One. All were among the familiar faces spotted throughout the show.
“People come to Rétromobile to dream.”
Speaking of McLaren, it was hard not to linger in front of the McLaren F1 owned by Simon Kidston— chassis number 007— exhibited on the Kidston Motorcars stand, an automotive sales advisory firm based in Switzerland.
McLaren F1 at Kidston at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
A truly unique example, it is reputed to be the most driven McLaren F1 in the world with nearly 40,000 kilometers on the odometer. Just a few steps away stood a Ford GT40 Mk III — the rarest version of the GT40 — a reminder that only seven examples were ever produced. With Kidston Motorcars as an example, Rétromobile invites automotive clubs, collectors, sellers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts to bring forth their best to fill the aisles of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
BMW Art Cars Exhibition at Retromobile Paris
BMW 3.0 CSL Art Car by Alexander Calder (1975) at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
One of the most striking exhibitions of this anniversary edition was undoubtedly the display dedicated to the BMW Art Cars series, bringing together seven iconic models. Among them was the BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2, the very first Art Car in history, painted in 1975 by American artist Alexander Calder, instantly recognizable by the “CA” signature on its rear. The car had recently been exhibited inside a transparent bubble for a full week at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris.
BMW M1 ProCar Art Car by Andy Warhol (1979) at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
Alongside it stood the BMW M1 Group 4 painted by Andy Warhol in 1979, famous for finishing second in its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Also on display was the second Art Car, the BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Frank Stella in 1976, entered in the Six Hours of Dijon at the Prenois circuit, where it failed to reach the finish.
These painted cars continue to surprise, not least because of a detail that has become increasingly rare: the complete absence of sponsorship. A deliberate choice, privileging aesthetic expression over commercial considerations. A philosophy that still sparks conversation, continues to seduce, and draws the attention of younger visitors — whether passionate enthusiasts or simply curious onlookers.
The collection was further complemented by the BMW M3 GT2 from 2010, painted by Jeff Koons, as well as the latest Art Car from 2024, which raced at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans and created by artist Julie Mehretu.
Ferrari Supercars and Mercedes-Benz Legends at Rétromobile Paris
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
At Mercedes-Benz, the spotlight was on the 300 SL, in both Gullwing and Roadster form, with no fewer than fourteen examples on display. Even rarer was the 300 SLR, the competition version of the 300 SL — a true collector’s jewel, with only nine examples believed to exist worldwide.
The Girardo & Co stand was equally impressive, showcasing Ferrari’s “Big Five”: the brand’s first five supercars — the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. At the center of the stand stood a Ferrari 275 P from 1963, originally developed from the 250 P, a double winner at Le Mans and a true icon of endurance racing.
Ferrari at Girardo & Co at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
French Automakers at Retromobile: Peugeot, Citroën, and DS
Bugatti Type 64 at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
Among French manufacturers, Peugeot presented a themed exhibition dedicated to the 205 GTI, with eight emblematic models on display: the 1.6 and 1.9 GTI, the GTI Cabriolet, and the 205 Turbo 16— previously seen eight years earlier in the reserves of the Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot (Museum of the Peugeot Adventure)— a road-going version built for rally homologation, featuring its engine mounted at the rear. Also on display were a 205 GTI modified by Dimma Design, recognizable by its more muscular body kit and previously seen during the Traversée de Paris, as well as the brand-new 208 GTI. Inside, every car appeared remarkably preserved, almost as if brand new.
“A moment suspended in time, where tens of thousands of enthusiasts share deeply felt emotions. ”
Citroën, for its part, showcased concept cars from every era, while DS presented its presidential vehicles, underscoring the deep ties between the automobile and French political history.
More Highlights at Rétromobile Paris
McLaren F1 GTR at Joe Macari at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
Elsewhere on the show floor, the Joe Macari showroom— specializing in collectible and prestige automobiles and of United Kingdom origin— stood out for its convivial atmosphere, serving soft-serve ice cream, baking pizzas in authentic pizza ovens, and offering visitors beautifully designed goodie bags.
James Chase (New York and Paris) undoubtedly stood out as one of the most refined and beautiful stands of the entire show. Soft carpeting, a piano, and stand borders lined with real plants encouraged visitors to linger, to converse, and to share a mutual passion for automobiles in a warm, carefully curated atmosphere. This philosophy is embodied by the two Americans behind the venture, Thomas James and Max Chase, for whom the automobile is above all a matter of sensibility and human connection, with a clear mission: to source cars in truly exceptional configurations.
Porsche 996 GT2 at James Chase at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
On display was a Porsche 996 GT2, presented in an absolutely unique configuration finished in Rainforest Green Metallic, paired with a Tan leather interior. Alongside it stood an imposing interwar Mercedes-Benz 770K convertible, its seemingly endless hood and stately presence evoking a bygone era. “A car that makes you want to cruise slowly and take it all in,” imagined our photographer Julien Fautrat, already picturing himself behind the wheel.
1969 Aston Martin DBS from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) at Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
Cinema enthusiasts were also treated to a rare sight: a 1969 Aston Martin DBS, seen in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). This was indeed the very car used in the film. The British registration plate visible on screen was later repurchased and reinstalled on the car. Previously owned by an Australian collector since 1978, the DBS was recently acquired by Kidston Motorcars and re-registered in the United Kingdom.
One thing is clear: interest in classic cars continues to grow, across every generation and interest, whether driven by culture, by heritage, or simply by fascination with mechanics and design. Sébastien Cauet, host of Europe 2’s morning radio show, confessed to “secretly dreaming of owning a Renault 5 Turbo 2 from the 1980s, as well as a Porsche 928 GTS.” Jordan Rey, journalist for M6, spoke of a true crush on a Jaguar XK 120 Roadster spotted on the stand of Éric Pérou’s workshop.
Rétromobile’s Next Stop: New York City, USA
Ferrari 250 GT entering Rétromobile Paris 2026. Image: Julien Fautrat.
This enthusiasm for automotive beauty naturally extends far beyond national borders. While the next Paris edition of Retromobile will take place in February 2027, Gérard Neveu, CEO of Rétromobile US, enthuses: “It was a magnificent 2026 Rétromobile show in Paris. A moment suspended in time, where tens of thousands of enthusiasts share deeply felt emotions. It serves as a source of inspiration for the future.”
Accordingly, the first edition of Retromobile US will take place November 19th through 22nd, 2026 at the Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Avenue, New York NY 10001. Learn more and get tickets here.
As time goes on, visual consideration of Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyns’ seems to be a more and more valid pursuit. Shot Sage Blue Marilyn (1968) is the most emotionally rewarding one despite being a retread (the original being done in 1962) and disregarded by Warhol himself as being “dead art”.