French Classic Cars
Cheap Hatches: Flock of Renault R16s
Leave it to the French. The country’s designers had a knack for eyeing a thing everyone else had seen a hundred thousand times and doing it differently. So goes the Renault R16. Introduced in 1965 at the Geneva Motor… more»
French Mercedes: 1985 Peugeot 505S Turbo Diesel
If you want to buy a new French car in the U.S. today, you have one choice and you had better be a trust fund baby or a YouTube mega-star, as the new Bugattis are sold out, even for… more»
1 of 6 French Exports? 1957 Ford Thunderbird
The first generation of the 2-seat Ford Thunderbird ended its three-year run in 1957. After that, it would convert to a 4-passenger personal luxury car. But not before a half-dozen of the cars were supposedly shipped to France for… more»
Oddball Beauty: 1972 Citroen DS
There are a few automakers which don’t follow the grain and just do their own thing. Citroen is a very good example of this, always shunning traditional design conventions and how a car should operate and look. Sometimes they… more»
No Reserve Barn Find: 1973 Citroen SM Project
In 1964, Facel S.A. expired. Facel was renowned in France and beyond for its luxury cars. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Ringo Starr, the Shah of Iran, Stirling Moss – Facel owners read like a Who’s Who of… more»
Only 2 Owners and 20k Miles: 1966 Renault Dauphine
Like the Volkswagen Beetle and Morris Minor, the Renault Dauphine was one of the entrants to create Post-WW2 European-built economy cars. It was in production from 1956 to 1967 with more than two million copies, although only a small… more»
South Dakota Car: 1985 Renault Encore 5-Speed
Almost looking as if it had AWD, or was missing an engine – or better yet, was set up with the ever-popular Carolina Squat, this 1985 Renault Encore looks good in black. This Wisconsin/France marriage made in heaven (or… more»
Classic Jet: 1964 Fouga CM170
We certainly can’t be accused of not providing variety at Barn Finds, and for those with an aeronautical leaning, this 1964 Fouga CM170 could be the classic of your dreams. Its condition is excellent, and a recent inspection confirms… more»
BF Auction: 1961 Peugeot 403 Break Wagon
French manufacturers have earned a well-deserved reputation for producing cars that aren’t loaded with luxury appointments but feature excellent engineering and unsurpassed versatility. One such car is the Peugeot 403, which remains a firm favorite in many African nations… more»
Cheap Wheels? 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta
The 1981 model year was the swan song for the second-generation Chevy Camaro. After 12 years in production, the design had run its course (sales were down by more than half in just two years). The Berlinetta was the… more»
Wrecked 30 Years Ago: 1979 Renault 17 Gordini
The calendar year 1979 might be an eventful one in Renault’s history books. That’s the last year they built the 17 Gordini, a sports coupe, and the year they began buying up interest in American Motors. We mention this… more»
Price-Dropped French Classic: 1963 Panhard PL17
Manufacturers need to look outside the square if they plan to produce a car with limited engine power. Such was the case with Panhard and its PL17 model. Its engine bay housed a tiny motor with modest power, but… more»
Le Project: 1980 Renault Le Car
Who remembers the Renault Le Car? It was the little French automobile that was really a Renault 5 that was rebranded and sold through American Motors dealers in the 1970s and 1980s. Though popular on its home turf, it… more»
Ever Seen One? 1980 Citroen Dyane
Frequent finder Russell G. sent us this unusual (ok, at least in the US) 1980 Citroen Dyane that is for sale in Havertown, PA. It will cost a new owner $13,500 (or best offer) and is listed for sale… more»
Argentinian Citroën: 1988 IES 3CV “Gringa”
What the heck is this? Well, it’s a Citroen pickup truck, specifically an IES 3CV “Gringa” from down under, no not that down under, the Argentina down under. This example, being a 1988 model, isn’t exactly a Citroen, it… more»
Huge Collection of True Barn Finds: Take a Browse
An actual barn. Full of barn finds. That’s what’s up for auction in this mega-sale. Three sets of lots total to 230+ cars, with the only proviso being that these cars are in the Netherlands. This tip comes to… more»
