For a casual car spotting of classic dream cars, nothing beats the stages of private collectors at Rétromobile. Even considered against the best car shows, Rétromobile’s strength lies in the unrivalled presence of major collectors and dealers, and they really excel here. Their stages sometimes best the factory stages, showcasing cars that are so over the top, that even the factories might keep only replicas. Traditionally, the four-five largest private stages easily outshine some of the factory shows.
This article features those stages that did not fit to the brand-specific articles. Lukas Hüni would have arrived quite high on this list, but their show was dedicated to the Alfa thematic, and also impressed me so much that they received a dedicated article. Some private stages were already featured in the earlier factory stages articles as they focussed on a single brand.
What is common in these stages is the dealerships conjure impressive selections to ensure some sort of balance in terms of epochs, categories and regions.
SomeGirardo & Co. established itself in among the top exhibitors of Rétromobile
Max Girardo’s classic car dealership took a central stage of the main hall similarly to last year. The show is one of the largest, and the selection of cars are refined and comprehensive.
The front stage is occupied by an orange Maserati MC12 Corsa (one of the twelve made). The MC12 opens a dream team of how road-legal hypercars.
For a more comprehensive line-up (from 288GTO to FXX-K Evo), I recommend a peek at the special exhibition of the Ferrari Museum on their hypercars.
The Maserati is accompanied by its sibling, a Ferrari Enzo, in a rare steel blue colour.
From here onward the line-up turns red with all the road-legal ancestors of the Enzo.
The first red car is an F50, followed by an F40 and a 288 GTO.
Each of them costs a fortune, and already one is a highlight at any stage, but to see the entire hypercar line-up together in a single scene is really special.
The frontline of the stage continues with classic hypercars, the Miura and a Ferrari 275. The red A Miura P400 S is in perfect condition, paired with the arch-rival, a white 275 GTB 6C from 1965.
The last car in the front row is another Ferrari, a black 275 followed by a line-up of various vehicles.
The white 308 GTB Michelotto is one of the four Group B specification Ferraris, driven by Harry Toivonen in 1984 (in fact two Toivonens, as both Harri and Henri Toivonen drove 308s that year).
The livery of the red M1 is familiar from earlier classic car races, it is a Pro Car version participating in many endurance races in its earlier years and now stealing hearts at classic car events.
The red Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA seems to be in original, or at least unfinished condition.
The last car on the right flank is a 250 GTE 2 + 2 Polizia originally procured by the police of Rome. The GTE was the first production 2+2 from Maranello, offering speed, comfort and all the flair the prancing horse.
The model was unveiled at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans where it was the course marshal’s car. This specific car was completed by Ferrari in November 1962, as one of four police cars with special equipment and training for the selected officers at Ferrari’s in-house race track in Maranello.
The inner part of the stage is occupied by an Alfa Romeo TZ that was also among the successful sales of Girardo. This specimen was initially exhibited Zagato’s factory stand at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. Thanks to the 110th anniversary year (and also last year’s Zagato 100th anniversary) the TZ was a common sight at events and museums.
The central podium featured a Ferrari 412 T2 F1 race car, chassis 157, is particularly important. It was the first Formula 1 Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher at Fiorano in 1995.
The Fiskens stage impresses with an astonishing selection.
For years, the London based collector of fine historic automobiles is responsible for one of the largest and most impressive private stages.
Let’s start with the yellow 275 GTB / C, a former race car that finished tenth (second in class) at Le Mans in 1966 and participated in several endurance races in the following years.
It has been restored and certified by Ferrari’s factory division Ferrari Classiche and participated in classic car events since then. You may have noticed, that this yellow 275 GTB is not the first one today, and in case you were wondering, not the last.
The most prominent location is taken by a Ferrari 312 B2 Formula 1 race car, driven by Clay Regazzoni led her to victory in its very first race at Brands Hatch.
Throughout the 1971 and 1972 seasons, it was driven by Clay Regazzoni, Jacky Ickx and Mario Andretti regularly finishing in podium places.
Another highlight is a yellow GT40, presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1967, and remained for a long time in the Ford press fleet.
The front line of the stage is complemented by a Maserati Tipo A6GCS / 53, an Aston Martin DB4 Convertible and a Gulf Mirage M6.
The central stage was given to a light blue 1948 Talbot Lago T26C, racing between 1948 and 1953 with drivers like Luis Chiron.
The youngest exhibits include a Ferrari 550 GT from the early 2000s built by Italtecnica for Team Rafanelli.
There was also an Audi R8 LMP900 race car that scored podium finishes Le Mans and at the Nürburgring in the 2000 season, and even at the ALMS series. The stage featured only one prewar car, a Bentley 4 ½ Liter coachbuilt at Maythorns.
Kidston showcases a diverse selection of high-end classics
Last year, Simon Kidston’s stage really impressed me with a comprehensive set of selected Lamborghini Miuras. This time they diversified their offering invoking several countries and epochs.
Italy is represented by a most spectacular Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America, followed by an Aston Martin 1.5 Liter Sports and a Lancia Flaminia Zagato.
The centre podium is given to an Aston Martin DB4 with the iconic Zagato design.
The other side is dedicated to Italy, with a Ferrari 275 GTS, a 250 MM and a 275 GTB / 4 (the third one within a few square metres of Hall 1).
Ascott sports a lovely set of race cars
Contrarily to its name, Ascott is a French company, specialized in high-end race cars. They are flashing half a dozen impressive racing legend at every Rétromobile and Techno Classica.
For me the highlight of the stage was the Nissan R390 GT1, racing at Le Mans in 1998, finishing fifth. The car was developed by Tom Walkinshaw under the GT1 regulations.
TWR had recourse to extensive experience under the Group C regulations taking over the twin-turbo V8 producing 640 horsepower and the carbon monocoque chassis. Only one road R390 was built to justify homologation.
A full armada of three cars entered Le Mans In 1997, with established drivers like Patrese, Comas and Brundle with moderate results (finished at 12th place). In 1998, all four cars saw the finish line, with impressive results at third, fifth, sixth and tenth.
Next up is a blue Bizzarini 5300 GT Stradale, and an almost ubiquitous Porsche race car, a 910 racing for the factory team in 1967.
On the other side, there is a Viper GTS / R C9, that bagged the GT2 world champion in 1998 and a Surtees TS9B, driven by team owner John Surtees in 1971.
Axel Schutte showcased an exquisite selection of German classics
Axel Schuette is a German dealership with an impressive sales history. They showcase an excellent selection of cars primarily from Germany.
The primetime cars are two BMW 507s, a red and a silver one.
They are accompanied by a Gullwing SL and a black roadster version that was initially showcased at the 1957 Turin Motor Show.
The BMW corner is reinforced by a prewar BMW 328.
There was also a Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet designed by Pininfarina and a Lamborghini Miura to add a bit of Italian flair.
I call it a day here, as the gallery starts to become too heavy. These were the five best private stages, with many more to come in the next article.
Collectors’ stages at Rétromobile round 2: stages with exceptional cars
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