Before the rise of the Italian Coach builders, the French had interesting style where everything in the French culture was art. Even the French automobiles came to be rolling art including this Panhard Dynamic X81. Production began in 1936… more»
French Classic Cars
Jan 5, 2018 • Uncategorized • 18 Comments
Fetching Barn Find: 1950 Simca Cabriolet
I’m drawn to two types of cars. Those best described with words like “muscular” or “brawny”, and those that “adorable”, or “fetching” best fit. This 1950 Simca 8 cabriolet barn find, found here on eBay, might just be the… more»
Dec 29, 2017 • Uncategorized • 56 Comments
Motor Trend CotY Edition: 1983 Renault Alliance
I freely admit to subscribing to Motor Trend for, gulp, almost 40 years – from 1976 to around 2012 or so. I let my long-term subscription lapse a few years ago after realizing that I was saving/hoarding every one,… more»
Dec 13, 2017 • Uncategorized • 48 Comments
Restored French’talian: 1965 Simca 1000
Hello! I’m happy to see you, says this 1965 Simca 1000. Do I have anything in my teeth? (teeth = grille) Wait, I don’t have any teeth. This happy little car is listed on eBay with the bidding possibly… more»
Dec 7, 2017 • For Sale • 16 Comments
Show Car Styling: Craigslist Renault Caravelles
In what is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime event, two Renault Caravelle coupes are up for sale on craigslist sites in California and Missouri. The Caravelle is seldom seen today, despite the company’s desire to overtake the popularity of the VW… more»
Nov 17, 2017 • Uncategorized • 15 Comments
Front Wheel Frenchman: 1949 Citroen Traction Avant
A favorite in France, the Traction Avant was a well received and quite stylish auto available to the masses from 1934 to 1957 with nearly 760,000 cars built. This particular car appears as a garage find, although it would… more»
Nov 14, 2017 • Uncategorized • 9 Comments
Ceiling Find: 1926 Sandford 3-Wheeler
If you had looked up at the ceiling in the old Imperial Palace in Las Vegas you might have seen this cycle-car hanging there and assumed it was a Morgan. In the early 1900’s cycle-cars were popular and there were… more»
Nov 13, 2017 • Uncategorized • 41 Comments
Scotty G’s Garage: 1987 Renault GTA
In another installment of Scotty G’s Garage, we’ll take a peek at another unusual car in my small fleet of vehicles. This one is a 1987 Renault GTA and it’s quickly becoming my favorite of the ten or so… more»
Nov 7, 2017 • For Sale • 23 Comments
Turbo Wagon: 1987 Peugeot 505
Put the words “Turbo” and “wagon” together and you’ll generally get enthuaists’ attention. However, in most cases, they’ll envision a Volvo 740 – not a Peugeot 505 Turbo estate. This example is a rare sight on American roads these… more»
Oct 22, 2017 • Uncategorized • 34 Comments
They Like Jerry Lewis Movies: 1975 Citroen 2CV
While we often question French practices, such as eating snails and wearing those silly looking beret hats (Rusty!), you have to give them credit for not being afraid to go their own way. They have been a good friend… more»
Oct 16, 2017 • Stories • 23 Comments
Reader Find: Eduard’s 1974 Renault 12 L
From Eduard P – Last year I received a message on my Facebook page (Renault 12 USA) from a guy asking me to identify the car. He purchased a big building about 8 years ago and the car… more»
Oct 7, 2017 • Uncategorized • 9 Comments
The Art of the Humblebrag: 1984 Peugeot 505 STI
This ’84 Peugeot is an interesting car in its own right, but mostly I’m just amused by this ad. Specifying that the owner would “prefer to sell to [a] French car enthusiast,” the photos go to great pains to… more»
Oct 3, 2017 • For Sale • 12 Comments
1953 Citroen Traction Avant–Solid And Ready!
More than a little unusual, this desert find 1953 Citroen Traction Avant is up for sale here on eBay. The buy it now price is $8,900, but lower offers are being considered. I can’t believe how solid and original this… more»
Sep 23, 2017 • Uncategorized • 33 Comments
Where in the World Is this 1956 Panhard Dyna Z?
If only it was a few years newer, I could make a “Tigre in the grass” joke…oh, well. I’ll give it up for a Panhard any time! This product of one of the world’s earliest automakers is ’56 Dyna… more»
Sep 21, 2017 • Uncategorized • 30 Comments
Freaky French Folly: 1984 Renault Fuego
In keeping with the Scotty G tradition of showing unusual, some would say oddball, vehicles, I present this 1984 Renault Fuego. This fregger (more on that later) is listed on eBay with a somewhat ambitious $4,500 buy it now… more»
Sep 10, 2017 • Uncategorized • 14 Comments
French and Therefore Better: 1984 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Rally Replica
Street-going versions of Rally cars typically amount to a stock car with a turbocharged motor, all-wheel-drive, and upgraded suspension. This one is a whole different story. Few if any rally versions differed more radically from their normal models than… more»
