The Retromobile

The Retromobile extravaganza is one of the first classic car shows of the season. This year the French exhibition celebrated its 40th anniversary. As such, it is considered a "classic" by many, though I doubt I will ever attend it. It's just that it is held during a period that I'd rather stay in the warm tropics.

Still, should you find yourself in Europe during the first week of February, it is a must see for every car enthusiast. This year the halls contained some 450 exhibitors, 500 cars on display, and over 100 clubs. Just head on to Paris where it is located at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre.

The exhibition has an attraction for everyone: from automotive jumble right up to multi-million-euro classics, any level of collector is catered for. Just the mere fact of finding a Tiger tank from the Museé des Blindés in Saumur looming over a Bugatti Royale from the Schlumpf Collection (pictured below).

As is often the case, this year the event organizers brought something different to the Parisian exhibition hall. The Spanish truck manufacturer Pegaso's short-lived era of sportscars during the 1950's was relived, along with some unusual Italian classics from Lake Como.

In short, something for everyone. Should you want to read more, click here to visit Classic Driver's report on the French car exhibition.

Source: Rétromobile, Wikipedia
Photo credit: Rétromobile/Schlumpf Collection

Daracq Sprint Special

A while back I wrote about a 1906 Darracq GP racer, and promised to spotlight the Sprint Special. It too held the land speed record, and with its 25.4 liter engine, it is one of the oldest surviving V8 cars in existence.
Built expressively as a sprint car it was successful right out-of-the-box, with a string of records undertaken on both sides of the pond. On December 30th, 1905, the Sprint Special reached the speed of 109.65, thus setting a new world land speed record.

After Darracq broke several records with this purpose built car, he shipped it back to Europe and sold it to Sir Algernon Lee Guiness. Over the next few years, Guiness set new British, European, and World records. It most be noted that in 1906 Sir Algernon Lee Guiness set the car's highest recorded speed of 121.57 mph.

Apparently, several years later Guiness' mother insisted he clear out his junk and so the car was sent to the scrap yard. However, he quickly realizes his terrible mistake and retrieves the car, which at the time already had its front and rear axles cut off the chassis. The crippled car remains in his estate until his death in 1954.

The third owner, appreciating the car's historical value, set out to restore it to its former glory and with 1906's documentation the unique two-speed transaxle was recreated. Through out the car authentic period chassis components were used wherever possible.

As one can see, this unique Darracq Sprint Special has been exhibited at various events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Brooklands Society Reunion and Retromobile in Paris.

What is truly remarkable is that the engine was finally fired up for the first time in 97 years on April 1, 2006.

Some details about the car:

Engine: a naturally aspirated 90 degrees V8, displacing 24.5 liter, 2 valves per cylinder, longitudinally mounted in the front, and producing 200 bhp on carburators.

Drivetrain: It uses a steel ladder frame as chassis, with in the front: a live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, friction dampers, and in the rear: live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Brakes were only mounted in the rear, drum of course. It uses a 2-speed manual gearbox and is rear wheel driven.

For more detailed information regarding the Darracq V8, there is a wonderful story called "Old Iron" and was dedicated for its centenary in 2005. For the story click here.

Source: Ultimatecarpage.com
Photo credits: Wouter Melissen