Retromobile. Meet the show’s new director, Romain Grabovski
The Retromobile Show will be held from February 1 to 5 at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. Among the novelties of this 47th edition is the arrival of a new conductor: Romain Grabowski. He is not yet 40 years old, but he has a head full of ideas that will give energy to this event that he loves so much.
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Romain Grabowski takes the helm of Salon Rétromobile after 12 years at Motul.
Matthew Bonnevie
” Rétromobile is more than a fair… it’s an ephemeral museum! Romain Grabowski, the new director of Rétromobile, sums up the event dedicated to vintage cars, including 47 cars, with these words.e publication will open its doors at 1er February 2023. The former manager of the Motul brand, who has been in office since November 4, is interested in developing this show ” very solid foundations “. ” This is a big problem because I consider Retromobile to be truly the flagship of France. You should not miss “, believes that he is not yet 40 years old.
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Romain Grabowski and the entire Retromobile Show team are committed to creating a magical event.
Christopher Cham
Young collectors, repairs and renovations…
” Retromobile can and should renew itself admits. The challenge will be a smart mix between preserving the DNA and proposing new ideas or trends. According to him, there is a real theme around young people and young people. “It also serves as a springboard for Rétromobile for “first-time buyers” of vintage cars. It is basic Romain knows himself as a collector. ” There should be a more affordable car offer at the show he insists.
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The dealership, which offers popular cars at affordable prices, will return.
Argus
Therefore, a sales area of ”…less than” is always planned. ” But I cannot say yet whether it will be less than 25,000, 20,000 or 30,000 euros. says the new director. ” The collection should not be limited to the elite A man with (among others) a Citroën 2CV and a Renault Rodeo in his garage slides by. “ There is also a real question about refurbished collector cars says Romain, talking about both restomods and retrofits. ” As is done in the rules of art, these models can take their place in the living room. You have to live with the times! “.
Bring back the coin sellers
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Romain Grabowski wants to bring parts dealers back to Retromobile.
Argus
Romain Grabowski also wants to bring back the parts dealers. ” Personally, I really enjoy going to flea markets or exchanges, there is a certain magic to it admits. ” We will have to create favorable conditions so that “piechards” can come to Paris, spend a profitable weekend and leave. This is an important topic that I will bring to the table » he confidently says that one should not try to copy what works in a provincial salon in the capital. The logistics and costs are incomparable.
I would love for a collector even on a small budget to be able to buy two/three for their car as some kind of souvenir before they go.
The return of Merchants is one way to make the Show a slightly less elitist event than it was in its heyday. A rebuke repeatedly made by visitors. But the new manager of the Salon does not want ” lowers quality and spell level “.
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The show is expected to attract at least 100,000 visitors.
DR
” If Retromobile wants to maintain its privileged position, it must remain a very good show. We just have to make sure that the French and Navarre clubs keep coming and enjoying it. Their existence is important.» Let’s not forget that the Salon also shines on an international scale, and the biggest collectors on the planet appreciate this event. According to comments collected by Romain from major collectors during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Rétromobile is a place ” where they encounter models they would not normally see “.
Return of the manufacturers?
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Bringing back more producers is one of the dreams of the show’s director.
Argus
As for the builders getting their name back, Romain confirms that “ is important “. ” It shouldn’t be all about the builders, but they are part of the show “. However, it knows that their presence is closely related to marketing strategies or anniversaries. ” There are many conversations going on admits that these 47’s who want to flirt with star-themed brandse edition: Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Will Porsche, Ferrari, Peugeot, Renault, Mercedes or even Bugatti play the game? Answer next February. Romain Grabowski would also like the story to be told by third parties such as Stand 21, which has produced suits since 1970, or Motul, which has been a partner of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) for 68 years. For racing enthusiasts, the Winners’ Cup will be on display at Rétromobile.
Unchanged exhibition surface
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Poster for Salon Rétromobile 2023 with a Porsche 907 from the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967.
DR
The 2023 edition will be held in the same setting as last year with just over 110,000 m² of exhibition space. Organizers are hoping to bring in the same number of visitors as last year, which was just under 100,000 over at least five days*. The entry ticket is still highly priced: €22 without any special offers. ” It’s not that expensive compared to a movie ticket Judges the director because you can spend all day walking the halls. And adds ” If you look at antique fairs in Europe (Padua in Italy or Essen in Germany…), they all cost about 20 euros. “. Currently, the entrance ticket is offered at the online box office for €20. For Romain Grabovski, a car enthusiast since childhood, the show should promote vintage cars in France and abroad. ” The car should be given the status of “heritage to be protected” for future generations “.
*the show had to postpone its original dates due to Covid
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