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

Mr. Micawber in Dickens' David Copperfield

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Archive for the ‘Automobilia’ category

February 7th, 2013

…it’s Hélica! Between 1913 and 1925, Frenchman Marcel Leyat built some 30 propeller-driven automobiles. He called them “Hélica,” from the French for propeller, but they also acquired the nickname “plane without wings.” Through this weekend, six examples are on display at Rétromobile, Europe’s premier old car event, at Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles.….
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February 4th, 2013

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.….
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February 3rd, 2012

Rétromobile, France’s premier old car event, opened for the 37th time on Wednesday. Occupying three pavilions at the Paris Expo center at the Porte de Versailles, the show continues through Sunday. It is a year of anniversaries: 50 years of the Ferrari GTO and MGB, 40 for the Honda Civic and Renault R5 (a/k/a Le….
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January 30th, 2012

One of the good things about February is Rétromobile, France’s premier old car event. Held annually at Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles, it’s been on the go for 37 years. Think Hershey or Beaulieu Autojumble with an accent, and all indoors. In addition to vendors of parts and cars, Rétromobile also draws manufacturers….
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February 25th, 2011

Long ago I noticed that people enamored of cars often harbor another transportation interest. For many it is airplanes and I’ve met a few who dote on ships. Probably that largest dual constituency, however, favors cars and trains. One manifestation of this appears in elaborate model railroad layouts. Dennis David, the CarPort’s northwest Connecticut correspondent,….
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February 3rd, 2011

Rétromobile, Europe’s largest indoor old car event, began its 36th year yesterday with a new format. Previously a ten-day show encompassing two weekends, this edition has been downsized to a five-day run, with just a single weekend. But as is often the case, less is more. More, this year, means more exhibitors. Over the past….
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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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