Lyon, France
7 au 9 novembre 2025
Introduction
For three days in November, Epoqu’auto took over the Eurexpo exhibition center in Lyon, transforming it into a temporary automobile museum. Several hundred cars of all ages and categories were on display. Several themed areas presented beautiful selections of models, with this year’s highlights including the 205 Turbo 16, Ligier in competition, the anniversary of the Citroën DS, Opel, Lyon-based manufacturers, Youngtimers Supercars, Microcars, and BBM for the Autodiva competition exhibition.
Epoqu’auto
Époqu’auto is organized by the 3A club (les Amateurs d’Automobiles Anciennes – Vintage Cars amateurs), an association of enthusiasts. Around twenty members work throughout the year to prepare the event and are joined by more than 300 volunteers during the show to welcome exhibitors, partners, and of course the public. In total, there were 900 exhibitors, including 560 dealers and more than 200 brand clubs, exhibiting nearly 10,500 cars and 200 motorcycles over an area of almost 90,000 m². With 108,000 visitors in just three days, Epoqu’auto confirmed its huge popularity. The date has already been set for the 47th edition on November 6, 7, and 8, 2026, once again at Eurexpo Lyon!
Upon entering the show via the “Place des Lumieres”, a selection of models represented some of the show’s thematic displays. A Ferrari F50 stood alongside a Microcar, an Opel Super 6 (1937), a Philos Type 4M (1913) for regional manufacturers, and a Citroën ID station wagon (a variant of the DS). This was a unique model, a rolling laboratory developed by Michelin to test tires. The car is filled with measuring equipment and has just been completely restored. Also on display in this area was another exceptional model, a 1966 DS 21 Pallas used by General De Gaulle, which has also just been restored. Let’s take a look back at all these exhibitions in pictures.
205 Turbo 16
The 2025 Rally theme was dedicated to the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, displayed at the entrance to the show. The history of this rally icon, from the era of the famous high-powered Group B cars, was told through five models on loan from the Musee de l’Aventure Peugeot, showcasing its different versions, starting with the 1985 T16 Evo 1, winner in Argentina and New Zealand with Timo Salonen at the wheel. Another Evo 1 was presented in its “Safari” configuration, equipped for this particular rally with an impressive row of headlights integrated into the bull bar and a spare wheel on the roof.
In 1985, the last T16 Evo 1 was modified to become the Evo 2, with a wider body, an XXL spoiler, and an engine upgraded to 430 horsepower. This Evo 2 “prototype” also served as a reconnaissance car for the 1986 season. The T16 Evo 2 racing car was even more powerful (480 horsepower), and the version on display finished second in the 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland). In two years of competition, Peugeot won two World Rally Championship titles for manufacturers and two drivers’ titles (Salonen in 1985 and Kankkunen in 1986). But Group B cars had become too powerful, and new regulations for 1987 banned them from rallying.
Peugeot then adapted the 205 Turbo 16 for rally raids: less powerful (360 horsepower) to improve reliability, reinforced chassis, 350-liter fuel tank, etc. In his first outing in 1987, Ari Vatanen won the Paris-Dakar Rally in this 205 T16 “Grand Raid” bearing the number 205.
Ligier
Right next to this 205 T16 exhibit, another competition area is dedicated to Ligier, another brand that has written some glorious pages in the history of French motor racing, particularly in Formula 1, with five single-seaters on display. The 1978 JS9 was equipped with a Matra V12 engine and is striking for its huge, very simple rear wing, especially when compared to today’s multi-plane wings with their numerous fins. The 1980 JS11/15 was fitted with a Ford Cosworth V8 engine, and that year, Ligier finished runner-up in the constructors’ world championship with two victories in Germany and Belgium.
The JS17 was an evolution of the JS11/15 and returned to the Matra V12 engine. In 1981, Jacques Laffitte won two Grand Prix (Austria and Canada) and was in contention for the world championship title until the last Grand Prix of the season. With its Renault V6 Turbo engine, the JS27 (1985) performed well and enabled Jacques Laffitte to secure several podium finishes before a serious accident at Brands Hatch during the British Grand Prix brought his career to an end. The last F1 car presented here is the 1989 JS33B, again powered by a Ford Cosworth V8 engine, but which did not allow Ligier to perform well in the Grand Prix. This “single-seater” exhibition is completed by the JSF326, presented in 2025 to compete in FIA Regional Formula races.
The second part of the Ligier exhibition is devoted to endurance racing. In the early 1970s, Ligier launched a small series GT car that aimed to rival Porsche. It was equipped with a Maserati V6 engine (the same as the Citroën SM) that developed between 170 and 220 horsepower depending on the version, ensuring impressive performance. But competing with Porsche was no easy task for a small manufacturer, and only 86 units were built. Ligier developed a competition version for rallies and endurance races, notably the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In rallying, the JS2 won the 1974 Tour de France Auto. As the Maserati V6 engine did not allow it to aim for overall victory, Guy Ligier entered two JS2s with Ford Cosworth V8 engines in the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ligier came close to victory, finishing in second place, just one lap behind the winning Mirage Ford.
Since 2018, Ligier has been offering the JS2 R, a modern tribute to the JS2, which allows gentleman drivers to race in Europe in various one-make series (Ligier European Series, Ligier JS Cup France) or open championships (TTE, TC France, FX Series in Italy) or in the USA in WERC. It is worth noting that more JS2 R chassis have already been sold (more than 130 to date) than GT JS2 road cars between 1971 and 1975!
In the meantime, Ligier returned to international endurance racing in 2014 with the JS P2 under LMP2 regulations, and with some success, as the JS P2 was, among other things, LMP2 World Champion in 2015. In fact, in 2026, the JS P2 will be back in historic races at “Legends of Le Mans”. In 2015, Ligier launched the JS P3 for the LMP3 category, with more than 100 units produced between 2015 and 2020, winning 18 titles in the category worldwide. While its history may have been chaotic, the adventure launched by Guy Ligier in 1969 continues brilliantly in motor racing.
DS Anniversary
The Citroen DS continues its grand anniversary tour celebrating 70 years across museums and motor shows. It can be difficult to be original when several events have already chosen the same theme, but Epoqu’auto rose to the challenge by approaching the subject from an original angle. Of course, there are different body styles, including sedans, station wagons, and of course convertibles, with the three different front ends (two headlights, four headlights, four headlights under glass), but the cars selected feature original colors that are a far cry from the classic black and metallic gray. Spring Green for the 1956 DS 19, Capucine Orange for the 1957 ID 19, Daffodil Yellow for the 1958 DS 19, and Cloud Blue for the 1959 DS 19.
Visitors also discovered the Monte Carlo Blue of a DS 21 Pallas (1967), a rare color that celebrated the victory of a DS in the Monte Carlo Rally, the Jura Green on another 1967 DS 21 Pallas, and bright colors such as Massena Red D Super 5 (1973) or Delta Blue for a DS 20 Break (1975). Each car was accompanied by a haute couture dress in the same color as the car. With a red carpet running between the cars, the elegance was complete.
In addition to the two other DS models mentioned above, several other stands also showcased the DS, starting with the show organizers, who displayed their interpretation of Fantomas’ famous flying DS, equipped with two glowing turbines protruding from the rear hood. Of course, the Citroen clubs were also there. The “IDeale DS” association had the good idea of presenting a 1956 DS 19, one of the models sold at the 1955 motor show during the official presentation of the DS (and therefore the first series), alongside a 1975 DS 23 Pallas Electronic Injection, one of the last DS models to leave the factory.
Other Citroen club stands also featured a DSuper (which replaced the ID20) prepared for the 1970 Morocco Rally and a 1963 Chapron “Croisette” convertible. Among the dealers present at Epoqu’auto, “Auto Retro des Monts d’Or” had focused on the DS in its models on display, notably featuring one of the very first DS 21 convertibles from 1966 and a 1965 Chapron DS 19 “Le Dandy” coupe, a car of which only 44 were ever made. Even some toy and miniature dealers got in on the act by showcasing their DS models!
Opel
The German brand was showcased with its own themed area at this year’s Epoqu’auto show. In addition to the 1937 Super 6 on display at Place des Lumieres, two other models from the 1930s were presented: a 1930 Blitz truck, completely unrestored, and a 1932 P4 1.2L sedan, which had been perfectly restored. The 1954 Opel Olympia Rekord, in a beautiful two-tone blue and white livery, is emblematic of this period when Opels had a scaled-down “American” style.
Owned by General Motors, Opel benefited from the parent company’s resources and was able to offer prestigious sedans such as the 1970s Diplomat with a large 5.4L V8 engine, unusual in European production. Opel offered sporty models in its range, at least in terms of looks, such as the 1968 Commodore GS Coupe, the Manta 1600 S, and the attractive Opel GT, sometimes nicknamed the European Corvette.
Others combined the engine with the look, such as the 180 hp Monza GSE in 1986 or the Kadett GTE in 1983, a rival to the GTI. The Kadett Rallye 1900 (1968) was a car finely tuned for rallies, while the Commodore Group 2 (1969) was more suited to circuit racing. In the early 1980s, the Manta 400 Group B enjoyed numerous successes, notably in the hands of Guy Frequelin, who won the 1983 French Rally Championship with this car. This led to the creation of the Manta “Frequelin,” a limited edition of 500 cars for the French market.
Youngtimers and Supercars
When we think of youngtimers, we often think of relatively popular sedans or sports cars. But the youngtimer category also includes supercars, and it is from this perspective that Epoqu’auto 2025 set up its Youngtimer area, although in truth, this area combined youngtimers and more recent supercars. Given the rarity of these cars, visitors certainly had no complaints. The installation was set up in collaboration with the Coligny Car Museum and partners from the Lyon region. The most spectacular car on the stand was undoubtedly the Mercedes CLK GTR GT1, a racing car designed for the GT1 category that won numerous races in the late 1990s.
The Maserati MC 12 was developed on the basis of the Ferrari Enzo to enable Maserati to compete in the GT category, which the trident brand did with some success. The Jaguar XJ 220 was intended to ride the wave of supercars presented by manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. However, a somewhat chaotic development process, linked to the financial problems Jaguar was experiencing at the time, led to numerous architectural changes compared to the basic version, which compromised its commercial success. Nevertheless, the XJ 220 remains one of the most beautiful designs of its era.
Porsche, for its part, presented the Carrera GT in 2003, a magnificent spyder that brought together the best technologies available from the Stuttgart-based manufacturer at the time, including a beautiful V10 engine. At Ferrari, since the 288GTO, it has been a tradition to regularly offer a supercar. This is the case with the SF 90, an extremely rare car, even more so in its XX version presented in 2023. In principle, Ferrari XX cars are intended to be driven only on racetracks during private events, but the SF 90XX was approved for road use. However, don’t expect to see it too often. The model on display at Epoqu’auto also features a special livery, similar to that of the 499P that won the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Another manufacturer of exclusive sports cars, McLaren also offers models from the Ultimate Series, which are intended to be the ultimate expression of the British brand’s expertise in sports cars. In 2018, the McLaren Senna pays tribute to the famous Brazilian driver, three-time F1 world champion with McLaren. It features the brand’s twin-turbo V8 engine, boosted here to 800 horsepower, combined with active aerodynamics, allowing a top speed of 340 km/h. Based on the DBS 770 Superleggera, Aston Martin introduced the Ultimate version in 2023 to celebrate the end of this model. Equipped with a twin-turbo V12 engine, the car has been further improved in terms of aerodynamics and mechanics, offering a top speed of 340 km/h. Only 300 examples of this DBS 770 Ultimate were produced.
In 1995, Lamborghini introduced the Diablo VT, equipped with all-wheel drive to help tame the nearly 500 horsepower delivered by its 5.7L V12 engine. The Diablo’s futuristic design was created by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, and only 400 units of this VT version were produced in the Coupe version. Much rarer, the Gumpert Apollo was developed in the 2000s by Roland Gumpert, director of the Audi Sports department and designer of the Audi quattro system. The car complied with GT1 regulations but was approved for road use. Around 40 examples of this car were built, with the model on display being the only one currently registered and known in France.
And of course, we can’t talk about supercars without mentioning Bugatti, represented in this space by two models. The Bugatti EB 110 marks Bugatti’s first renaissance in the 1990s. Its quad-turbo V12 engine developed 550 to 600 horsepower for a top speed of around 350 km/h. With only around 140 units produced, it remains one of the most sought-after supercars today. Alongside it, a Veyron Super Sport illustrates the new generation of Bugattis since the takeover by the Volkswagen Group. With its W16 engine and four turbochargers, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is one of the fastest road-legal cars on the market.
Microcars
At the other end of the automotive spectrum, microcars enjoyed a certain popularity in the late 1940s. Often equipped with motorcycle or scooter engines, they offered a degree of mobility at an affordable price. While the best known were the Isetta and the Vespa 400, many brands entered this niche market, competing in ingenuity to compensate for the low power. Epoqu’auto 2025 presents around thirty of them, all French-made, displayed in a bumper car structure that reinforces the “toy” aspect of these small 3- or 4-wheeled cars.
Autodiva BBM
Autodiva (a magazine about motor racing history) devoted entirely its area to BBM, a French manufacturer that was very active between 1969 and 1976. BBM produced small prototypes and single-seaters for Formula Renault and Renault Europe. The prototypes were equipped with various Chrysler (notably for the Simca Shell Cup), Ford, or Renault engines. One of the chassis, initially designed to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was even later equipped with a Lamborghini V12 engine. BBM cars enjoyed numerous successes on the circuit and in hill climbs and are now enjoying a renaissance in historic races.
Lyon based cars manufacturers
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Lyon region was a veritable cradle for automobile manufacturers, with more than a hundred brands appearing between 1896 and 1947. It is reasonable to assume that the region had a wealth of mechanical expertise thanks to its highly active loom industry. All of these brands have disappeared, with only Berliet managing to establish itself, but in the heavy goods vehicle sector. This area therefore featured around twenty cars from 14 different manufacturers. The oldest car at the show was from Lyon, with the 1898 Vis-à-vis Audibert et Lavirotte.
Other manufacturers included Berliet, La Buire, Cottin Desgouttes (with a splendid 1924 racing car), Jean Gras, Luc Court, Philos (on display at Place de Lumieres) and Rochet Schneider, which at the beginning of the 20th century had a 100,000 m² factory, the largest and most modern in Europe at the time! Somewhat anachronistic in this space as it dates from the 1960s, the Fournier Marcadier prototype was very popular with enthusiasts, particularly in hill climb races.
Museums & Institutions
As every year at Epoqu’auto, several museums and institutions were present. The local Henri Malartre Museum (located north of Lyon) had loaned several cars for the exhibition dedicated to Lyon-based manufacturers, and displayed another local creation, a Jean Gras torpedo, at its stand.
The National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse brought a splendid and rare Pegaso Z-102 with Touring bodywork. Little known, this Spanish GT from the 1950s had an all-alloy V8 with four overhead camshafts and a dry sump, a five-speed gearbox, and a De Dion rear axle, a highly innovative and much more modern package than the Italian cars of the early 1950s. But competing with Ferrari from Franco’s Spain, with a very expensive car and limited financial resources, proved difficult, and production remained limited to around 80 cars. On the FFVE (Vintage vehicles French Federation) stand is one of the elongated convertible SMs developed by Chapron for the French Republic Presidency.
Clubs
For the organizers of the Epoqu’auto show, who are themselves big fans of vintage cars, brand and model clubs are a very important part of the exhibition. This year, more than 200 clubs were present, representing a wide range of French and international brands. To mark the anniversary of the DS, Citroen clubs presented the brand’s other flagship models, from the C4 and C6 (those from the 1930s) and “Rosalie” to more recent models such as the CX (with the ultimate CX 25 GTi Turbo version), the BX (featuring the BX Sport) and the Visa, particularly the sporty Visa 1000 Pistes. The SM Club naturally presented an SM, but also a Ligier JS2, which used the same Maserati V6 engine.
The Peugeot clubs displayed some beautiful convertibles, long a specialty of the lion brand, with the 203, 403, and 504, as well as a 1937 Darl’Mat 302 roadster, of which only about 50 were built and some versions of which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Renault came out in force with a stand called “The Originals,” its label for activities related to its heritage, ahead of the opening of the Renault museum. Introduced in 1965, the Renault 16 was the star of the stand, celebrating its 60th anniversary. While the R16 is not the most glamorous car in French production, it was a major milestone for Renault and one of the first production cars to offer a hatchback sedan body. Renault had the good idea of bringing several prototypes and original models, two more classic projects that preceded the design of the R16, and a coupe study that never came to production. There was also a US version on display, as the R16 was sold in the United States for a few years.
With the new Clio having just been unveiled, Renault looked back at the history of this model by presenting a version of the Clio 1, but above all several sporty, even extreme versions that followed one another: the 1991 Clio 1 Group A with nearly 200 horsepower, Clio Super 1600 2002, a benchmark in asphalt rallying with numerous national titles and two European championships, Clio V6 Phase 2 (2003), a worthy descendant of the R5 Turbo 2 with its 255 horsepower V6 in a central position, and finally the Clio 3 “Cup” 2007. Also on display was the R5 Turbo “Maxi,” which still competes in historic rallies, alongside the future electric Renault Turbo 3E.
Much less powerful, the Vernet Pairard “barquette” based on the 1952 4 CV recalls Renault’s early days in competition after the war. Continuing in the sporting arena, the Alpine clubs celebrated the brand’s 70th anniversary with several A110s and A310s, as well as A106s and A108s from the brand’s early days. For Gordini, Renault’s other sporting emblem, the R8 and R12 Gordini surrounded the lesser-known R17 Gordini.
Rolls-Royce and Bentley Lyon shared a stand, even though the brands are now separate. The Silver Shadow celebrated its 60th anniversary in a “British equestrian” atmosphere. In the 1950s, Rover was a premium British brand, with the P4 105 sedan being a good example. Roadsters have long been an English tradition, such as Triumph with this 1949 TR 2000 roadster, Healey with an MK1 “Frogey,” nicknamed for its two headlights positioned on top of the engine hood, and the 1952 Lea Francis 2.5 L sports convertible, which is rarer since only 85 units of all body types were produced.
Italian car clubs were also well represented, notably several Lancia clubs, presenting Fulvia and Delta models, mainly in the HF and Integrale sports versions, not to mention a magnificent 1958 Aurelia B24 S convertible. Alfa Romeo was represented by a beautiful 1961 Spider Giuletta, and there was a highly sought-after Venetian atmosphere around the Fiat 500. In terms of sport and exclusivity, the Lamborghini club exhibited a 1966 350 GT, one of the rare (23 examples) “Interim” versions equipped with a 4-liter V12 engine, and a 2010 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, the lightest and most powerful version in the Gallardo range, while the Maserati Owners Club presented a Mistral and a superb 4.7L Ghibli.
The Volvo club showcased a 1964 P210 Duett station wagon in a camping and nature setting.
Dealers
Epoqu’auto is also an opportunity to do business or make contacts, so many classic car dealers make the trip. Jaguar specialist Atelier des Coteaux offered several E-Types and a fine selection of XK 120, 140, and 150 coupes and roadsters. Jaguar was also represented at “Voiture sur Mesure “with a 1954 XK 120 Coupe and a 1960 XK 150S roadster. Mercedes specialist Saga Classic exhibited several SL Pagodas, a 1957 300 SL roadster, a beautiful black 190 SL with red interior, and a 1951 170 S convertible. As you wandered through the aisles, you could admire a Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 2 and a BMW Z1 at CarJager, a BMW Z8 and an Aston Martin Vantage V12 at West Motors, a rare 1960 BMW 502 V8 at AMG Sport Garage, and a 1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk III at the Atelier Eric Perou stand.
Mecanic Gallery exhibited a beautiful pastel blue 1953 Peugeot 203 A Coupé, which attracted as much attention as a classic 1960 Ferrari 250GT coupé Pininfarina. Oldtimer Farm offered the option of driving with the wind in your hair in a 1966 Fiat Dino Spider or a 1954 Sunbeam Alpine Mk1 convertible. The Lyon region has several Porsche specialists, and there was a wide choice of 911s and Boxsters at La Villa Rose, Lignon Automobiles and LJ Motorsport, including a few GT3s, convertibles and Targas, including a limited edition “Targa 4S Edition 50 ans.”
Much less sporty, but at prices that are already becoming respectable, Groupe Cotiere offered several 2CVs, including a beautiful red new one with only 51 km on the clock, never registered!
Auction houses
Several auction houses active in the automotive world were present at the show. Osenat presented the largest selection, as sales took place at the show. Amonge the many lots, I noticed a 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, a 1936 BMW 329 convertible, a 1963 Facel Vega Facelia F2B, a 1950 Talbot-Lago T15 Baby, and a 1959 Renault Fregate Convertible Letourneur Marchand.
Aguttes presented a small selection from its Paris autumn sale scheduled for November 30 at the Espace Champerret, featuring a 1927 Amilcar CGSS, a 1948 Cisitalia 202 SC “Berlinetta” with bodywork by Pininfarina, and a 1969 Ferrari 365GT 2+2.
On December 7, Artcurial will hold an exceptional sale of cars and objects from the Renault reserves, with the aim of (partly) financing the construction of the brand’s future museum, hence the presence on the stand of a 1975 Renault-Alpine A442 that competed in the 1977 24 Hours of Le Mans. Another highlight was a beautiful Aston Martin DB6 at CCA.
Firemen and Utility vehicles
A large area was reserved for firefighting vehicles, which always attract many enthusiasts. The Berliet Foundation exhibited several utility vehicles, including a gas generator truck and an electric hearse.
Toys, equipment, craftsmen and artists
While many visitors to the show come mainly to admire rare and beautiful cars, many also come to browse the specialist stands in search of that rare part they need to restore their classic car, or tools and products to maintain it. And at Epoqu’auto, you can find everything from cleaning cloths and 12 mm wrenches to car lifts! Whether you’re looking for a model car (easier to display in your living room) or the car of your dreams if you can’t afford the real thing, the many miniature sellers offer an impressive selection.
Still on the shopping front, you could find books, magazines, comics, clothing, furniture, and even a few winemakers! Finally, several artists working on the theme of automobiles were exhibiting their work.
Conclusion
While this article focuses on cars, there were many other things to admire at this edition of Epoqu’auto, including a hall dedicated to motorcycles and an exhibition of military vehicles.
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