Retromobile 2015
 

Had an interesting trip to Retromobile in Paris on Saturday. A really super show with some tremendous exhibits- you don't see a Spanish Pegaso for years and then 14 come along at once.
Not much 1950s Maser activity but a nice 300S. The lighting in the halls is not the best for car shots but some details worth noting...
An interior-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6.../DSCF2138a.jpg

and a badge I'd not seen before-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6.../DSCF2142a.jpg

and an interesting donor engine perhaps for added authenticity-
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6.../DSCF2157a.jpg

Ooh, there's my original inspiration loitering in the background of your engine shot - a silver Porsche 718 RSK. Very nice and I'm so jealous. Have to console myself with a walk around the Collosseum tomorrow morning. :)

Spanish Cobra
 

Here's one of the aforementioned Pegaso cars, bodywork by Touring, done up as a Le Mans entrant with aero screens, side exhausts and quick lifts. Entered for the 1953 race but one of the team's two cars crashed in practice so the team did not run.
Rebuilt more recently in USA and now in a private collection there.
Having been brought over for Retromobile, I expect it will be seen at the various European salons this year. Wonder if it will do the Mille Miglia?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6.../DSCF2124b.jpg

Walking around the collosseum sounds preferable to James Dean's last ride in his RSK Mr T!

Ahh, despite having a silver RSK and a white 356 Speedster, Jimmy D actually died in his silver 550 Spyder. Made quite a mess of it too.

Collosseum lived up to the hype, fabulous place! Blazing sunshine and temperature in the high 60's all day helped too. :)

I've been told it's concrete?

Romans invented concrete I believe

So that's what the Romans did for us...

Mr T- hope you are visiting the Museo delle Auto della Polizia at Via dell' Arcadia, 20, Roma.
Only €3 entry fee.

http://museoauto.poliziadistato.it/informazioni.htm

Thanks for the tip Ian, that looks like it'd be very interesting as a lot of the cars will be straight out of The Italian Job (the one with Michael Caine, not the shit remake). I'll have to make the effort to go there next time we visit Rome though, as we ran out of time yesterday and set off for Blighty later this morning.

Can't big Rome up enough as a city break, there's a breathtaking architectural jewel round every corner. Even my wife managed to walk the sixteen miles that took us round all the major sites without complaining. Well, actually she was complaining but I just got on with enjoying the trip anyway. ;)

Couldn't agree more- can't wait to go back there in April- I'll be checking out the bridges over the Tiber in particular. Missed those last time what with the Forum, Colosseum, catacombs, Ostia, Tivoli, St Peter's, Cistine Chapel, Trevi and even I Granai.

Here's one from my last trip there

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D...o/P1011742.JPG


and here is one and a half

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...o/P1011743.JPG

Thanks- I shall be staying near this one...

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-co...04-528x263.jpg

Let's hope the guy in the yellow digger has finished it when you get there...

No Donington Show in 2015
 

Well there we have it- no Donington Show this year- it's been "merged" with something at Castle Combe-

"Classic, Kit & Retro Action Day

Saturday 20th June 2015

An always popular event in the Action Day calendar that will have a new and exciting element to it this year as we welcome the National Kit & Performance Car Show (previously held at Donington) to join us for a great day filled with club displays, trade, parades & age/type specific track sessions. Wherever your allegiances lie; classic, retro or kit, soak it all up and enjoy!"

Maybe - But until we get some sort of verification, who knows? Last year's Donington looked to have a good attendance, so I don't think it's correct to assume or speculate.

If only- Donington Kit Car Show's own Facebook page says:

"We're delighted to announce today that the National Kit and Performance Car Show is moving from Donington Park to Castle Combe. We hope to see you all at the Classic, Kit and Retro Action Day on 20th June. More details to follow..."

I see that merger as a positive move: the 'kit car' market has always been a bit of a niche too far for many classic car enthusiasts, who wouldn't dream of attending a mere kit car show.

If they visit a classic show where they are also exposed to well built, convincing replicas of the cars of their dreams that don't have the zillion dollar price tag, I'm sure that some will overcome their prejudices and become converts to the cause.

It'll also make the shows that bit more varied and interesting for those of us that love both kits and classics, which should attract sufficient attendance to ensure that the event is repeated annually. Ultimately, that can only be good for the kit car industry.

donnington management has just dropped out of/lost the motogp deal they were going to host it for 2 years while the circuit of wales was completed(never!) so there may be more to it moving then you first think

and after all the "Save Donington" palaver after the abortive F1 plan trashed the track... I thought the MotoGP was a done deal- very popular with the riders and fans.


yeah- right... always looked a bit ambitious to me. Look what happened behind the scenes to get Rockingham built - and it wasn't just a case of plan it, build it, pay for it !!!

Exactly..maybe donnington management have other plans (houses?)....