French cars are a mysterious spot on the automotive landscape these days, a reminder that they were once an import like any other brand sold stateside. However, for the predominant brands of Citroen and Peugeot, a series of challenges… more»
French Classic Cars
Nov 12, 2023 • For Sale • 9 Comments
Rare French Classic: 1988 Renault 4 “Frog”
Some cars are so quirky they can’t help but be cool. Such is the case with this 1988 Renault 4 “Frog” Convertible. The seller claims that only around 500 of these classics were produced and that they were a… more»
Oct 26, 2023 • For Sale • 20 Comments
Rare Restoration Project: 1923 Bugatti
Bugatti has a history of producing some of the most desirable classics to grace the world’s roads. It spent decades flirting with bankruptcy, and even under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group as its halo marque, it sells every… more»
Oct 21, 2023 • For Sale • 21 Comments
Restore, or Not? 1956 Citroën Traction Avant 11B
Many car makers lay claim to some fame or another: first this, first that. My favorite “car of firsts” is the Lancia Lambda. Yes, I probably like Lancias too well, but the Lambda did deserve accolades for the first… more»
Oct 3, 2023 • For Sale • 18 Comments
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»
Sep 22, 2023 • For Sale • 10 Comments
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»
Sep 14, 2023 • For Sale • 18 Comments
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»
Sep 12, 2023 • For Sale • 17 Comments
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»
Sep 8, 2023 • For Sale • 20 Comments
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»
Aug 8, 2023 • For Sale • 46 Comments
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»
Aug 4, 2023 • For Sale • 29 Comments
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»
Jul 23, 2023 • For Sale • 38 Comments
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»
Jul 21, 2023 • Auctions • 64 Comments
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»
Jul 19, 2023 • For Sale • 9 Comments
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»
Jul 3, 2023 • For Sale • 13 Comments
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»
Jun 6, 2023 • For Sale • 37 Comments
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»
