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Renault Caravelle

Renault Caravelle

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Renault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault Caravelle
Renault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault Caravelle
Renault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault Caravelle
Renault CaravelleRenault CaravelleRenault Caravelle
Lot number 20
Hammer value £900
Description Renault Caravelle
Registration TME 100F
Year 1969
Colour Green
Engine size 1,108 cc
Chassis No. 135278
Engine No. 36355

Launched at the 1958 Paris Motor Show, the Caravelle was Renault’s attempt to cash in on the lucrative American market in much the same way as Volkswagen had done with their hugely successful Beetle.

Based on the floorpan and running gear of the Renault Dauphine saloon, the new car had chic French Riviera styling by Pietro Frua of Ghia and was available as a 2+2 coupe, a 2+2 cabriolet and a two-seater convertible.

Initially powered by a rear-mounted 40bhp 845cc engine, this was uprated to a 55bhp 1,108cc unit in 1964 with a Weber carburettor in place of the original Solex. It also gained four-wheel disc brakes and an all-synchro four-speed gearbox. When tested by Autocar in 1965, the Caravelle had a top speed of 89mph and could hit 60mph in 17 seconds with 30mpg economy.

At a UK price of £1,296 it was more than double the price of a comparable Triumph Spitfire or Morris Minor Convertible which made it a rare sight over here, although some 117,000 were sold worldwide before production came to an end in 1968, the vast majority in left-hand drive.

This particular right-hand drive convertible was first registered in April 1969 and has had just three owners from new, the vendor acquiring it almost by accident from a gentleman in London about 30 years ago (he had really gone to look at an old Lancia which turned out to be no good, but he spotted the Caravelle in the same lockup and rather than slog 150 miles back to the Welsh Marches with an empty trailer, a deal was struck).

In much the same condition now as it was then, the vendor had fully intended to restore the car but, as is so often the way, other projects came along and he has now reluctantly decided that the time has come to pass the car on to someone with more energy and enthusiasm to finish the project. Said to be basically very sound and still in running order with a very sweet engine, it should be a relatively straightforward restoration that will keep someone happily amused over the coming months. Believed to be complete, it comes with both hard and soft tops.

At the time of cataloguing the V5 for the vehicle could not readily be located but it is still recorded on the DVLA system so getting a replacement should be no more than a formality with the relevant V62 form and payment of the £25 fee.

Only 35 Caravelles are still UK registered, according to DVLA figures, so this one is well worth saving. Full of character and French chic, it really stands out from the throng of Spitfires and MGBs and is sure to create a great deal of interest once back on the road where it belongs.

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