Nothing like visiting one of the world's best car museums or attending a classic car show to put modern-day automakers' so-called "technology" announcements into perspective. People get excited about the new 2008 Audi A8's ability to accelerate from zero to 63 mph in less than 6 seconds. Not to pick on Audi, but many other 2008 sport model examples exist. Need I even mention the 1964 Pontiac GTO, which went from stop to go in less than 5 seconds? 
Retromobile, the classic car show to be held in Paris later this month, offers a number of special exhibits that show just how advanced cars were—gulp—50 years ago. On exhibit will be the Mercedes 300SL, designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, which packed a three-liter, six-cylinder engine that blasted up to 150 mph—in 1957. It was also a favorite of Gary Cooper and Sophia Loren when it came out, the show's organizers say.
Also on display will be Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's private collection—from an avant-garde mind with a passion for the past. Mason's collection includes the 1935 Aston Martin Ulster, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and the 1995 Mac Laren F1.
