Ligier Automotive at Rétromobile 2025: A New Journey Through the French Manufacturer’s History
Ligier Automotive will return to the Rétromobile show, taking place from February 5 to 9, 2025, at Paris' Porte de Versailles. Staying true to its heritage and aligning perfectly with the event's main exhibition “French Formula 1, from the 60s to the present day”, the manufacturer will showcase three iconic models: a historic Ligier F1 car, a 2014 Ligier LMP2 marking the brand's revival, and a 2018 Ligier JS F3 representing its return to single-seater racing. This unique celebration will highlight the past, present, and future of Ligier, in collaboration with its long-time partner, Stand 21.
The Ligier JS21: A French F1 Icon
The Ligier JS21, displayed in its Monaco configuration with its distinctive double rear wing, will be a standout. This car, the first Formula 1 single-seater equipped with active suspension, marked a technological breakthrough when it debuted in 1983. Acquired in 2021 by Soheil Ayari, seven-time French Champion, two-time European GT Champion and two-time World Champion, the car has been restored with conventional suspension to enhance its usability. Since its restoration, it has won four races, including three at Estoril and one at Portimão during the Masters Historic F1 Championship finale. The JS21 symbolizes both Ligier's technical boldness and its sporting legacy.
“In 1983, turbo engines reigned supreme, and the naturally aspirated Cosworth V8 was severely underpowered by comparison,” explains Michel Beaujon, Ligier's Chief Engineer from 1972 to 1992 and President of the Ligier JS2 Club since 2017. “We were forced to use it after Talbot's withdrawal at the end of the 1982 season, which also meant the end of the Matra V6 Turbo that we never got to see. To make up for the lack of power, we focused on building the best possible chassis, with the primary goal of meeting the minimum weight requirement. The new regulations mandating flat bottoms and the removal of side skirts led us to eliminate the side pods, resulting in the car's unusual rear design. The real innovation was the adoption of hydropneumatic suspension—a first for a single-seater.”
The Ligier JS P2: The Brand's Revival
The Ligier JS P2, the first car designed after Jacques Nicolet's acquisition of Ligier, is a milestone in the modern history of the brand. Released in 2014, this LMP2 car allowed Ligier to make a global impact, starting with the 2015 LMP2 FIA WEC title. In 2016, it became the first French manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Daytona overall, and the first since Ferrari in 1996 to win the three iconic American endurance races in the same year overall—Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans.
Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive, reflects: “The Ligier JS P2 represents the rebirth of the brand. It marked its return to the top and paved the way for a new era of success for Ligier.”
The Ligier JS F3: A Bridge Between Past and Present
Introduced in 2018, the Ligier JS F3 is the second new-generation single-seater from the brand, following the Ligier JS F4. Primarily used in the FR Americas Championship, it embodies Ligier's expertise in designing modern, high-performance race cars. For Rétromobile 2025, the JS F3 will be showcased in a special livery inspired by Ligier's historic Formula 1 colors, paying homage to the brand's legacy while highlighting its pivotal role in contemporary motorsport.
Ligier Automotive is deeply involved in the development and operation of single-seaters, particularly in the U.S., where its single-seaters compete in the country's three main championships: the Ligier JS F4 Series with the Ligier JS F4, the F4 U.S. Championship with the Ligier JS F422, and the FR Americas Championship with the Ligier JS F3. To date, over 200 modern single-seaters have been produced by Ligier, participating in these series, as well as in track days and driving schools like the renowned Radford Racing School.
In May 2025, Ligier Automotive will take another step forward in its commitment to single-seaters by unveiling a new generation of Formula Regional cars, designed to meet the FIA FR 2026 regulations.
Celebrating Ligier's Heritage
Rétromobile offers Ligier Automotive a unique opportunity to share its rich history with automobile enthusiasts. Jacques Nicolet comments: “This globally renowned event allows us to celebrate Ligier's history while showcasing our commitment to the future. At Ligier Automotive, we are actively working on future projects, including those related to liquid and gaseous hydrogen. But we also believe that preserving and highlighting the brand's history, as well as historic vehicles in general, is a strategic development axis. By preserving and promoting our heritage, we honor Guy Ligier's legacy and offer enthusiasts and collectors the chance to rediscover iconic models. It's also a way to pass on the values and expertise that have shaped our identity.”
Ligier Classic, the department dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vehicles, plays a central role in preserving the brand's heritage. While its primary goal is to restore and maintain the vehicles that made Ligier famous, as well as those from other brands under its umbrella—such as Martini Automobiles*, Pescarolo LMP1 and LMP2, and Morgan LMP2*—it also aims to expand its expertise to other iconic motorsport models. This ambition allows Ligier Automotive to leverage its knowledge to meet the needs of collectors and classic car enthusiasts, regardless of their preferred brands.
The Historic Heart of the Everspeed Group
To carry out its projects, Ligier Automotive, a subsidiary of the Everspeed group, relies on the expertise of its Italian sister company, HP Composites. Specializing in composite materials for the automotive industry, HP Composites contributed to the restoration of the Ligier JS21 by faithfully reproducing its double rear wing using the original 1983 plans. HP Composites has also developed its own division dedicated to historic vehicles, applying its expertise to the restoration of composite parts.
Practical Information
Visit Ligier Automotive at the Rétromobile show, held at the Parc des Expositions, Paris Porte de Versailles, Hall 1, Stand M016, from February 5 to 9, 2025. Michel Beaujon will be present alongside Ligier Automotive team members throughout the event.
The show is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on other days.
Throughout the week, exclusive interviews with Ligier's historic engineers, drivers, and key figures from the Ligier Classic department will be conducted at the stand. These insightful stories, rich in anecdotes and technical details, will be shared on Ligier Automotive's social media channels, offering fans a deeper dive into the brand's history.
*Martini Automobiles is owned by Ligier Automotive following the collaboration between Guy Ligier and Tico Martini in the 2000s.
** These models were all developed and operated by Ligier Automotive at some point in its history.
For more information: https://www.retromobile.com/en