Ah, the neoclassical era of low-volume, high-zoot American-made machines. It’s amazing how many cars emerged from this time period of the late 70s and into the middle 80s sporting these classic vehicle looks with mundane engineering underneath. The Clenet shown here on craigslist is a Series 1 roadster, and given its condition and how few are left on the road today, it has to be one of the best ones left. The seller is asking $59,500.
Now, I struggle a bit with that number, but various accounts report that Clenet was getting upwards of $100,000 per vehicle (and certainly more in 2023 inflation-adjusted numbers), so the seller may be thinking his pristine example is worthy of a heady offer – especially considering how rarely these pop up for sale. The interior is finished to a seemingly high standard, with acres of leather, woodgrain, and thick carpeting to keep you cozy and cossetted inside your Clenet.
Like most kit cars and neoclassic revival car builders, the money wasn’t there to sustain long-term operations. After all, once the Hollywood elite grew bored with a toy like the Clenet, it got tossed aside like yesterday’s news. I felt (and still do feel!) that the neoclassical subculture was always a strange obsession held by folks who were accustomed to getting everything they wanted, so the obnoxious expression of wealth and power aligned well with the variety of Hollywood A-listers who owned a Clenet.
The seller’s car shows under 30,000 miles and a very prominent spare tire and wheel. The seller reports that the lamb’s wool carpeting, seat upholstery, and stereo have all been replaced with new materials and technology. Mechanical repairs include fitting a new master cylinder, exhaust, brakes, and tires, and the good news is that the rest of the car appears to be in excellent condition. I’m not sure I would be willing to part with $60K for this car, but if you’re a collector of neoclassical oddballs, this may be one of the better ones left.
Amazing what you can do with 2/3 of an MG Midget body.
I ran from the room screaming. I can hardly wait to read all the interesting comments that are sure to follow. Bound to be fun !
Looks like the seller dropped the price by $5,000 since you last featured it on February 26th.
Ridiculous car. Ridiculous price. This is something I thought was cool when I was 12. Think about how little you knew when you were 12.
When I was 12, I thought these were classy and wanted one. Now that I’ve grown, I think I would drive one just to make people wonder who would drive such a thing.
But I would put some 4:11 gears in the back, so that I could do big smoky burnouts.
What a stupid car from the malaise era.
So it’s stupid simply because you don’t like it???
American Rolls Royce? Uh, I don’t THINK so. They look like a kit car.
More like a Hillbilly Morgan.
No, I like Morgans. I never understood what the attraction was to these things. Not then, not now.
Agreed. The critical piece of information here is lacking: what was the original vehicle on which this kit was mounted? A 1984 Bronco? A 1971 VW Beetle? That’s key to determining the actual value of this toy. Which was never in the same league as Rolls Royce.
Beautiful automobile.. Le Clènèt.
That 351 looks like it breathes well, and would be a riot to stomp the gas and go in this dandy. ⛽️ 🏁
I am willing to stand up against the negative comments. I know it is bound to be a kit car, but I do like the style… it reminds me of some of those 1930s cars that I like…. I wouldn’t pay the asking price, but would love to have this to drive around in the Village… all of the other geezers would gather around to enjoy it as well.
I submitted this find to BF because I am curious: Most of these types of cars are based off of existing production cars, but I can’t figure out what the Clenet is based off of.
Anyone have an idea?
Believe it or not, they were on a Lincoln Continental Chassis.
Crank windows with black handles? Yeesh.
’70s MG Midget door hardware. Black tells you it’s plastic. Early models had chrome pot metal. At least they used the MG trunk handle.
I can remember a time when crank windows were the norm and power windows were quite unusual.
And, sometimes I get nostalgic for the old school simplicity and reliability.
Sad to see people think that this is some kind of kit car. The Clénet, and a couple others, were nothing like kit cars. However, given how many neoclassic kit cars were also built it is understandable that they all get lumped in together by most folks. The Clénet(and the very rare Sceptre produced by former Clénet people) deserves better.
A Gazelle on steroids
Your reference to the Gazelle is appropriate as regards the “Classic Tiffany,” perhaps the nadir or penultimate example of this trend as both were designed by the same company.
Now, all kidding aside…what else could you buy for $60k?
Steveo, I would sure like to find out!
Nice Shag-a-delic ride… Okay, Okay, we get it! OOPS! SORRY, GOTTA GO, the 80’s just called, and DYNASTY IS COMING ON… (in this week’s episode, Alexis and Blake are about to have a ménage à trois with Sammy Jo… ;-)
I assume those pipes are dummies like anyone who would plunk down the price of a new Clenet. First saw one at the ’77 Chicago Auto Show and was actually impressed initially. The price then was $40K. By as the man said: a Toy for those with money to burn and no knowledge of cars.
Lincoln chassis. MG Midget body.
It’s classy, sure, but the Merc 540K/ Jag SS100 look has been done to death. I’d go for the Stutz Bearcat, cuz ya know, pimpin’ ain’t easy.