French Classic Cars
Rear Engine Roadster: 1967 Renault Caravelle
In addition to not thinking much about Peugeots, a Renault, such as this 1967 Caravelle hardtop convertible never as much as registers a brain wave. Perhaps it should, it’s a neat-looking little car and I don’t believe I’ve ever… more»
Worthwhile Commitment? 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16
You gotta love an automobile listing that goes like this, “I purchased the car in 2020 on a whim, and– believe it or not– it was actually quite reliable! But the car, being French, decided reliability was overrated, so… more»
Rare Roland Garros Edition: 1990 Peugeot 205
Hmmm…Peugeot, what to think of Peugeot. I never think anything about this French stalwart automaker, primarily because they haven’t darkened U.S. shores for the last 30 years or so. And with Peugeot’s multinational owner, Stellantis, so on the ropes… more»
Quirky French Classic: 1947 Renault Juvaquatre
One of the key attractions of the classic world is that it offers something to satisfy every taste. Some enthusiasts follow the well-trodden path by parking a muscle or pony car in their garage, while others march to the… more»
Pristine French Survivor: 1996 Renault Twingo
The 1996 Renault Twingo urban runabout on Craigslist in Washington, DC, is an Edition Spéciale Alizé that adds features such as A/C, tinted glass, power windows, central locking, airbags, and the “fun velour ‘cumulus’ interior.” The owner wants $15,000.
Italian Smorgasbord: Auto E Moto d’Epoca
Every year, one of the largest swap meets in the world convenes in Italy, specifically Bologna after the show outgrew the confines of Padua’s fiera two years ago. Held over four days in October, Auto e Moto d’Epoca tempts… more»
Forgotten Franco-American: 1985 Renault Alliance DL Convertible
In the late 1970s, American Motors Corporation was hanging onto a slender 1.8% share of the US auto market. While the US government bailed out financially fraught Chrysler, AMC was deemed dispensable. Buyers for a lagging automaker were scarce,… more»
Stored Forty Years: 1964 Citroen DS19
André-Gustave Citroën was an exceptional innovator, stirring together inventions from other visionaries to create singular cars. Citroën himself was Dutch and Polish, but the family settled in Paris in 1873. Trained as an engineer, he made armaments during WWI…. more»
BF Auction: No Reserve 1959 Renault Dauphine
UPDATE – The seller let us know that the year is incorrect, so we’ve corrected the year. Additional photos have also been added to the gallery. This 1959 Renault Dauphine demonstrates why we should never judge a book by… more»
Package Deal: 1956 And 1957 Citroen 11n
Many would-be restorers are adept at assembling all the parts needed to complete a restoration, but that by no means ensures the project will be completed. That’s the unfortunate story with this 1956 Citroen Traction Avant model 11N here on Craigslist… more»
The Rudi Klein Junkyard Collection: Part Two – The Cars
As revealed in Part One of the Klein Junkyard series (thanks once again to Helena for the tip!) Mr Klein amassed an enormous collection of mostly German exotic cars and parts over decades. While his business ostensibly existed to sell… more»
Rust-Free 1966 Renault Caravelle
About ten years ago, my dad found a long-sitting, decrepit old Renault Caravelle for sale on a dealer’s lot nearby for two grand, so I immediately jumped in the car to go see it. It was rough. I would… more»
Born in Turin, Made in France: 1964 Simca 1000
It pays to have friends in high places. Henri Pigozzi, who grew up in Turin but founded Société Industrielle de Mécanique et de Carrosserie Automobile (Simca) in France, had known Giovanni Agnelli, head of Fiat, and his family for… more»
U.S.-Built Drop-Top: 1985 Renault Alliance
American Motors was never flush with cash, but times were particularly tight in the late 1970s and early 1980s. AMC wasn’t “big enough” to be saved like Chrysler, who was the beneficiary of a mega loan by the U.S…. more»
Cheap Project: 1966 Citroen Ami 6 Break Wagon
Two important things to consider when searching for a project are cost factors, including both the initial investment and also what it’s going to take afterward to get the auto back on the road. With an asking price of… more»
Maserati Motor: 1973 Citroën SM
I’ve watched Citroën SMs sell at auction for a few years now, where generally only the best are offered – most particularly with manual gearboxes. Auctioneers have no problem attaining prices in the $40k to $60k range. But when… more»
