It has become something of a rite of passage during the eve of Rétromobile, the event that officially kicks off another year of festivities, the quiet streets of Paris are rattled to their core with a symphony of engine notes. 18th Century glass from the beautifully designed apartments above chic restaurants is tested to its limits, as the roads that neighbour Place Vendome begin to fill with idling flat-sixes and race-fuelled motors. During Rétromobile, the streets belong to the cars, and these particular streets belong to Messina Classics, who have once again brought along a smattering of iconic race cars and elegant classics.
Illuminated only by the triple streetlamps and hotel rooms of the Ritz, Messina Classics’ first arrival takes centre stage, a car that needs very little introduction from us. Built for the 1969 race calendar, this Porsche 917 was piloted by Hans Herrmann in period, and holds a vast race history in legendary circuits such as Spa Francorchamps and Le Mans, among others. It is one of the very first 917s that was produced, and retains its matching numbered engine, which is now ready to be enjoyed within the jam-packed historic racing calendar around the world.
Following the Porsche theme, two 911s burble into life as they join the 917 along the cobbled pathway. While every single one of Porsche’s sports cars for the people are special in their own way, the two presented here are cut from a much more potent piece of cloth to your usual gentleman’s racer. Both are a product of the legendary Almeras Racing Team, who found their way into rallying at exactly the right moment to take over where the Porsche factory left off. Both of these cars, an one of four produced early 1973 911 SC Group 4 and RS 3.0 are important pieces of Porsche’s independent race team history, and will no doubt cause quite a stir as they enter the halls of Retromobile.
Our pick would be what many regard as the world’s prettiest sports car, though, a sleek black BMW 507 from 1957, which was first registered just a stone’s throw away from Place Vendome on Champs Elysees and has since been wonderfully restored to better-than-new condition throughout.
Aside from a plethora of Porsches, Messina Classics have brought along a mouth-watering array of classics and worthy investments, as well as a line-up of unique Ferraris that include a Ferrari 355 GTB, a freshly restored 250 GT LWB California Spyder, and perhaps more impressive than all, the gated-manual 599 GTZ Nibbio Zagato, a true one of one car. Whatever takes your fancy, if you find yourself strolling the many halls of Retromobile this weekend, be sure to head to Messina Classics’ stand!
