French Classic Cars

Get alerted of new French finds:

Zero-Rust Garage-Kept 1985 Renault Encore

In the early ’80s the American market was hungry for compact cars that supplied superior fuel efficiency. The Renault Alliance subcompact offered a cost-effective solution. Shortly after the Alliance’s release in North America, the Encore was introduced on the… more»

Rear Engine Roadster: 1967 Renault Caravelle

In addition to not thinking much about Peugeots, a Renault, such as this 1967 Caravelle hardtop convertible never as much as registers a brain wave. Perhaps it should, it’s a neat-looking little car and I don’t believe I’ve ever… more»

Worthwhile Commitment? 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16

You gotta love an automobile listing that goes like this, “I purchased the car in 2020 on a whim, and– believe it or not– it was actually quite reliable! But the car, being French, decided reliability was overrated, so… more»

Rare Roland Garros Edition: 1990 Peugeot 205

Hmmm…Peugeot, what to think of Peugeot. I never think anything about this French stalwart automaker, primarily because they haven’t darkened U.S. shores for the last 30 years or so. And with Peugeot’s multinational owner, Stellantis, so on the ropes… more»

Quirky French Classic: 1947 Renault Juvaquatre

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… more»

Pristine French Survivor: 1996 Renault Twingo

The 1996 Renault Twingo urban runabout on Craigslist in Washington, DC, is an Edition Spéciale Alizé that adds features such as A/C, tinted glass, power windows, central locking, airbags, and the “fun velour ‘cumulus’ interior.” The owner wants $15,000.

Italian Smorgasbord: Auto E Moto d’Epoca

Every year, one of the largest swap meets in the world convenes in Italy, specifically Bologna after the show outgrew the confines of Padua’s fiera two years ago. Held over four days in October, Auto e Moto d’Epoca tempts… more»

Forgotten Franco-American: 1985 Renault Alliance DL Convertible

In the late 1970s, American Motors Corporation was hanging onto a slender 1.8% share of the US auto market. While the US government bailed out financially fraught Chrysler, AMC was deemed dispensable. Buyers for a lagging automaker were scarce,… more»

Stored Forty Years: 1964 Citroen DS19

André-Gustave Citroën was an exceptional innovator, stirring together inventions from other visionaries to create singular cars. Citroën himself was Dutch and Polish, but the family settled in Paris in 1873. Trained as an engineer, he made armaments during WWI…. more»

BF Auction: No Reserve 1959 Renault Dauphine

UPDATE – The seller let us know that the year is incorrect, so we’ve corrected the year. Additional photos have also been added to the gallery. This 1959 Renault Dauphine demonstrates why we should never judge a book by… more»

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»

Barn Finds