French Classic Cars

Get alerted of new French finds:

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»

Nicely Preserved: 1982 Citroen 2CV Beachcomber

This 1982 Citroën 2CV Spécial Beachcomberis a tidy survivor that has no apparent needs. The paint and stripe combination is striking, with the matching interior trim adding to its appeal. The legendary longevity of the 2CV means it should… more»

8k Miles? 1971 Citroen Safari Station Wagon

Coming from the great Northwest is a fantastic and funky 1971 Citroen Safari station wagon.  Located in Portland, Oregon, this family cruiser is said to have low mileage and could be yours for $12,000. According to the seller, the… more»

Stored Two Decades: 1971 Citroen DS21 Safari

The seller says this 1971 Citroen DS21 Safari, known as a plain ol’ wagon in the U.S., has been in storage for most of the 23 years that they have owned it. That being said, it’s a running and… more»

Stored Seven Decades: 1919 Citroën Four-Seat Torpedo

André Citroën was making munitions through WWI, but as the war drew to a close, he sought inspiration for his next venture in the new market for automobiles. Across the pond from France, Ford’s fast-selling Model T was cheap,… more»

Rare Ragtop: 1987 Renault GTA Convertible

We have only seen five Alliance-based Renault GTAs here on Barn Finds over the years, and one of those was mine. The weirdest part is that none of those five GTAs were convertibles as is this 1987 Renault GTA… more»

Estate Find: Maserati-Powered 1972 Citroen SM

In the early 1960s, Citroën embarked on Project S, intended as a sporty version of its DS. Development followed a winding path, as the concept evolved from a version of the DS to a separately engineered, more upscale effort…. more»

Rally Beast: 1981 Renault R5 Turbo 1

Do you remember the Le Car, from Renault? It was a slow, unreliable little thing, just a nick above the Yugo, fading rapidly from our shores after slow sales here. But it sold over 5 million copies in Europe… more»

Alternative Energy: Coal Gas Powered 1931 Ford Model A

On June 22, 1940, the unthinkable happened to the people of France.  It was on that date that the French government under Marshal Henri Petain signed an armistice with Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany.  Before long over half of… more»

Stored For 63 Years! 1960 Renault 4CV

I always describe my automotive taste as eclectic. I am drawn to classic muscle and pony cars, while I respect traditional luxury vehicles and European exotics. However, small cars are undeniably attractive, especially when they are original and unrestored…. more»

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