One of the key attractions of the classic world is that it offers something to satisfy every taste. Some enthusiasts follow the well-trodden path by parking a muscle or pony car in their garage, while others march to the beat of a different drummer. If you fall into the second category, you might find this 1947 Renault Juvaquatre irresistible. It appears to have spent years in this barn, requiring a total restoration to recapture its former glory. The seller has listed this French classic here on Facebook Marketplace in Youngtown, Ohio. It could be yours for $5,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ted for spotting this beauty.

Renault introduced the Juvaquatre at the 1937 Paris Motor Show as affordable transport for the masses. The car enjoyed a relatively short development time, with work starting in 1936. Suicide doors improved access, and the Juvaquatre could comfortably seat four people. It is unclear how long our feature car has spent in its current location, but I suspect that the period could be measured in decades. Its paint has faded, and much of the exterior wears a heavy coating of surface corrosion. However, there is no evidence of penetrating rust. Of course, the state of the vehicle’s underside is unclear, meaning there could be issues hidden from view. It appears that the glass is good and that most of the trim is present. This is a bonus because I suspect that locating replacement parts might be challenging.

French cars from this period typically featured very small engines to take advantage of the country’s complex road tax system. However, the one under the hood of this Juvaquatre is a relative giant by the standards of the time. This flathead four has a capacity of 1,003cc and would have sent 23hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. Progress wouldn’t have been lightning fast, and with a top speed of 62mph, it wasn’t the best tool for long-distance touring. However, for tackling country lanes and urban traffic situations, it would have acquitted itself quite well. This Juvaquatre appears to be mechanically complete, although the health of its engine is unclear. Sourcing components locally for an engine rebuild would be difficult, meaning that the new owner may need to make contact with French suppliers to locate the required parts.

The seller only supplies a single interior image in their listing, and the biggest question facing buyers is whether the back seat is present. If it is, that would mean that the interior is complete. A retrim using original parts probably isn’t viable, but an upholsterer would be able to recreate the required pieces utilizing the existing components as templates. The interior appointments are typical of French cars from the period, meaning that there is no radio. However, the quirky and cool gauge cluster is intact and will become a focal point once this classic returns to its former glory.

I acknowledge that this 1947 Renault Juvaquatre won’t appeal to all tastes, but the same can be said of almost any classic. It is unclear how many of these cars made their way to North America, but this is the first that we’ve seen at Barn Finds. I have found sources confirming that Renault only produced around 20,000 of these classics in 1947, which is understandable as the country fought to recover from the ravages of World War II. I have only located a handful of recent sales locally, with the most expensive changing hands for just below $20,000. Interestingly, Hagerty and NADA don’t acknowledge the existence of these cars, although both organizations tend to fall short when the subject turns to early post-war European vehicles. The sales data suggests this will never be a mega-bucks proposition, but if you crave an unusual vehicle that will stand out at a show or a Cars & Coffee, this little Renault could be ideal.