"something of an extraordinary nature will turn up..."

Mr. Micawber in Dickens' David Copperfield

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CarPort

AUTOMOTIVE SERENDIPITY ON THE WEB

CarPort
February 4th, 2013

Citroën DS-19

Everybody knows Rétromobile. As I was leaving Boston the TSA inquisitor asked the purpose of my trip to Paris. “Rétromobile,” I replied, and was waved into line for my MRI scan with a smile.

Rétromobile is, of course, Euope’s premier old car event, held annually in February at Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles. The 38th edition will open on Wednesday. This year the feature car is the Citroën DS, first seen at the 1955 Paris Salon. The show will also observe the 50th anniversary of thePorsche 911, the 30th of the Peugeot 205, and host a tribute to the Shelby Cobra.

Rétromobile is known for limelighting unconventional cars. This year’s example is Hélica, Marcel Leyat’s propeller-driven automobile. And just for good measure, a Mirage Jet will be parked out front, to be auctioned on Friday, February 8th, the day Paris auction house Artcurial holds a motor car auction.

The show runs for five days only, Wednesday through Sunday, February 6th to 10th. Hurry on down! It’s an easy ride on Metro line 12.

Serendipity: n. An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.
“They were always making discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of.”
Horace Walpole, The Three Princes of Serendip
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