Retro Design

What Retro Design does

Retro Design is a privately held French specialty e-commerce retailer founded in 1995 in Pont-à-Marcq, Hauts-de-France, that distributes spare parts for classic French vehicles. The company's catalog is anchored on Citroën models (the 2CV family — pre-1970 2CV, 2CV4, 2CV6, Dyane, Acadiane, Ami 6/8, Méhari, LN/LNA/VISA — plus DS/ID) and secondarily on the Renault 4L, alongside universal parts, maintenance products (RESTOM, BELGOM, Metal 5, Injexion 5), tooling, and collectible merchandise. More than 3,860 product references are stocked at the Pont-à-Marcq warehouse, where parts are triaged and tested before shipment; parts are organized by vehicle system (engine, gearbox, electrical, body, suspension, braking, interior) and supported by exploded-view diagrams and datasheets.

The business operates a multi-channel distribution model: a French-language e-commerce storefront at retro-design.fr (with an English version), a separate "Espace Pro" portal for professional mechanics, restorers and classic car clubs, free click-and-collect at the Pont-à-Marcq store, and parcel delivery via Colissimo, DPD, TNT, and DB Schenker. All transactions are one-time purchases with no subscription or recurring component, and the pricing model is individually listed per SKU rather than bundled or contracted (professional/club accounts use contact-based quoting). Customer segments comprise individual classic car enthusiasts (primary), organized car clubs (volume procurement), and professional restoration shops. The company is independently owned with no evidence of external funding, no parent entity, and serves primarily European customers.

The technology stack is a standard e-commerce platform with shipping carrier and payment processor integrations; the company is a parts distributor rather than a technology business, and the inputs explicitly state that proprietary technology is not applicable. Revenue derives from three streams: spare parts sales, maintenance products, and merchandise/accessories. The company maintains an organic marketing presence on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and a bi-monthly email newsletter.

Name

Retro Design

Legal name

Retro Design

Website

https://retro-design.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Retro Design is a privately held French e-commerce retailer founded in 1995 that sells spare parts for classic Citroën vehicles (2CV family, Dyane, Méhari, DS/ID) and the Renault 4L to enthusiasts, car clubs, and professional restorers across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Classic Car Spare Parts

NAICS

Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Parts & Accessories Online Retailers (CRAFADAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Automotive Parts & Mobility Recommerce (Parts, Accessories, Bikes/Scooters) (CRAFAGAI)

Keywords

• Classic car parts
• Citroën spare parts
• Vintage auto parts
• Renault 4L parts
• Automotive restoration supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Pont-à-Marcq

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Spare parts sales: Direct sales of spare parts for classic Citroën vehicles (2CV, 2CV4, 2CV6, Dyane, Acadiane, Ami 6, Ami 8, Méhari, LN, LNA, VISA, DS, ID) and Renault 4L. Also universal parts for all vehicles. Revenue generated through one-time product sales with no subscription component.
2. Maintenance products: Sales of maintenance products including RESTOM range, BELGOM, Metal 5, Injexion 5, and other automotive care products. These are one-time purchase items complementing the core spare parts business.
3. Merchandise and accessories: Sales of merchandise including enamel plates, technical books, posters, mugs, magnets, clocks, camping accessories, and auto accessories. Additional revenue stream from non-automotive themed products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Retro Design is a specialist e-commerce retailer distributing spare parts for classic French vehicles — primarily the Citroën 2CV family (pre-1970 2CV, 2CV4, 2CV6, Dyane, Acadiane, Ami 6, Ami 8, Méhari, LN/LNA/VISA, DS/ID) and the Renault 4L — alongside universal parts, maintenance products, tooling, and branded merchandise. With 3,860+ stocked references triaged and tested in-house at its Pont-à-Marcq facility, the company sells through its own French-language website, a dedicated professional portal, and physical click-and-collect.

Product overview

Retro Design operates as a specialized e-commerce platform for vintage and classic car spare parts, with a primary focus on Citroën vehicles (2CV family including Dyane, Acadiane, Ami 6/8, Méhari, LN/LNA/VISA, and DS/ID) and secondary focus on Renault 4L. The company offers over 3,860 references in stock since 1995. The product portfolio includes: (1) vehicle-specific spare parts organized by make, model, and vehicle system (engine, braking, suspension, body, electrical); (2) universal parts for all vehicle types; (3) maintenance products and specialized restoration treatments; (4) tooling and equipment; (5) collectibles and merchandise. The platform also provides supplementary services including exploded parts diagrams, physical/digital catalogs, and a dedicated pro/club account area for professionals and car clubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Citroën 2CV spare parts catalog Comprehensive catalog of spare parts for Citroën 2CV vehicles, including pre-1970 models, 2CV4, 2CV6, and 2CV Fourgonnette variants, covering engine, gearbox, electrical, body, and interior components.
• Citroën Dyane and Acadiane spare parts Spare parts catalog for Citroën Dyane and Acadiane vehicles, including engine, braking, suspension, body, and electrical components.
• Citroën Ami 6 and Ami 8 spare parts Spare parts for Citroën Ami 6 and Ami 8 models, covering all major vehicle systems including engine, transmission, and body components.
• Citroën Méhari spare parts Spare parts specifically for Citroën Méhari vehicles, including engine, body, and mechanical components.
• Citroën LN, LNA and VISA spare parts Spare parts catalog for Citroën LN, LNA, and VISA vehicle models.
• Citroën DS and ID spare parts Specialized spare parts for Citroën DS and Citroën ID classic vehicles, including hydraulic suspension, engine, transmission, and body components.
• Renault 4L and R4 spare parts Spare parts catalog for Renault 4L vehicles, covering both Billancourt small engine and Cléon large engine variants, including body, transmission, and electrical parts.
• Universal spare parts Universal spare parts compatible with multiple vehicle makes and models, including ignition, exhaust, fuel, braking, lighting, electrical, and body components.
• Maintenance products Maintenance products including paints, oils, greases, cleaners, Metal 5 and Injexion 5 treatments, and specialized restoration products from RESTOM and BELGOM brands.
• Tooling and workshop equipment Tooling and equipment for vehicle maintenance and repair, including general tools, electrical tools, Citroën-specific tools, and engine/gearbox/braking tools.
• Boutique collectibles and merchandise Collectibles and merchandise including enameled signs, painted metal plates, vintage plaques, books (technical reviews, coffee table car books), mugs, magnets, clocks, and camping accessories.
• Physical and digital catalogs Physical and digital catalogs available for order, providing comprehensive reference guides for Retro Design's spare parts inventory.
• Déstockage clearance parts Discounted and clearance spare parts, including goodies, interior parts, consumables, exterior accessories, body/top parts, braking, engine/exhaust, running gear/transmission, lighting/electrical, instrumentation, tooling, and universal items at reduced prices.
• Espace Pro professional portal Separate account area for professional mechanics, restoration shops and car clubs offering streamlined procurement, volume purchasing and dedicated account management for the B2B segment.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Car Parts 4 Less / Pièces Auto Discount: French online discount auto parts retailer serving multi-make vehicles. Competes on price for universal-fit parts and serves a similar DIY/enthusiast customer base.
• Mister Auto: Major French online retailer of automotive parts and accessories across all vehicle makes. While not vintage-specialized, it competes for universal-fit parts SKUs and generalist DIY customers in the same channel.
• RockAuto: US-based online catalog retailer of automotive parts (new, recycled, and remanufactured). Comparable as a multi-brand online parts retailer model, though it focuses on mainstream makes and operates in North America.
• Oscaro: Large French e-commerce platform for automotive parts. Competes for online parts share but lacks the niche 2CV/R4 expertise; comparable as a reference for e-commerce scale and logistics standards in French auto parts.
• Autodoc: Europe-wide online automotive parts retailer with a French storefront. Comparable for cross-border e-commerce logistics and SKU breadth, though it serves modern vehicles rather than classics.

Direct peers

• 2CV Passion: French retailer specializing in spare parts for the Citroën 2CV and related classic models. Direct competitor to Retro Design in the same enthusiast segment with overlapping product catalog and customer base.
• Distri Classic 3000: Distributor of spare parts for vintage French vehicles, with a similar catalog spanning classic Citroën and Renault models. Comparable vertically-specialized parts distributor serving restoration shops and enthusiasts.

Emerging players

• La Boutique 4L: Independent retailer focused on Renault 4L parts and accessories. Direct overlap on the 4L half of Retro Design's catalog with a parallel specialization strategy.

Regional players

• Citroën Classic Parts: OEM-aligned heritage parts program for classic Citroën vehicles. Comparable catalog and target customer, but operates as a manufacturer-supported channel rather than independent aftermarket.

Others

• Restom: French manufacturer of restoration treatments and maintenance products for vintage vehicles. Already a brand stocked by Retro Design; an adjacent supplier rather than a direct competitor, illustrating the ecosystem of niche French classic-car specialists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX-O4ltb3e_hx57rLsdKclw
• Facebookfacebook.com/retrodesign.fr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/retro-design-2cv
• Instagraminstagram.com/retrodesign2cv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retro Design