1977 Clenet Series I Roadster #13 of 250 Fully Restored by Marque Expert One Owner I am pleased to offer this very unique 1977 Clenet Series I Roadster. This one owner car is #13 of 250 Series I cars built. These hand built neo classic masterpieces may not be everyones cup of tea. but their styling and pizzazz are undeniable. VIN# DMV53334CA. This car was originally purchased by Bill Williams. who recently passed away. This car remains a part of his family’s estate and is being offered for sale by his daughter. This car and it's owner were well known and respected in the Clenet community and his license plate "BILL" was always seen at Clenet gatherings. The car is well documented in the Clenet Registry. In addition. the car's dash has been signed by Alain Clenet. The color scheme of this car is the classic cream color with white fenders and running boards. This is the color combination that Mr. Clenet wanted as his prototype car. There have been many other color variations etc. but none as classic as this one. This particular Clenet is very rare because it was the last car built on a Lincoln Continental running gear and chassis. After 1977. the running gear on the first series cars changed to a Mercury Cougar chassis with a smaller motor. transmission. and suspension. In addition. this particular Clenet has the 400 cubic inch engine with the C6 transmission. large brakes and suspension. There were many Series I cars that were purchased by celebrities such as Wayne Newton. Farrah Fawcett. Ken Norton and Sylvester Stallone just to name a few. These were also used in filming movies and TV shows such as "Dallas" and "Dynasty. "The car had been in storage for 7 years and in 2011. it went through a preservation restoration by well known marque expert Steve Kouracos (original Clenet painter of this car) . Kouracos was one of the original craftsmen at Clenet Coachworks. He set up and managed the body and paint division. The car is 100% original. including the 35 year old lacquer paint job. Mr Kouracos did not recommend a full restoration but instead a full preservation (replacing some while maintaining the originality. patina and integrity of the car. ) The car has been driven less than 1000 miles since it was completed in 2011. Specs - 400 cubic inch 2v v-8 engine - Select shift automatic transmission C6 - Four-wheel power disc breaks - 2. 75 rear axle ratioThe story of Clenet Coachworks according to Wikipedia: "Clénet is an automobile series with old retro styling. mixed with modern technology. Each limited-production model was conceived. designed. and produced by a small team of men and women in Santa Barbara County. California in the 1970s and 1980s. The automobile's distinctive styling was based on the high-end automobiles of the 1930s. Despite their retro looks. Clénets used modern drive trains and suspension systems. Clénet Coachworks Inc. was formed by Alain Clenet and investors in 1975. Originally started in a garage. the company was moved into an airplane hangar where an assembly line style of production was begun. later to be reborn in a "high tech" facility in Goleta. California (just north of Santa Barbara) where production of Series II and Series III (Asha) were produced until the company ran into financial difficulties in the early 1980s. ceased production. and filed for bankruptcy. The remaining bodies. tooling and equipment went up for auction. John F George. owner of the last "Series I" (250/250) financed the purchased the assets of Clenet Coachworks Inc. and revived Clenet and moved the company to a new production factory in Carpinteria. California. Alfred J. DiMora became a partner in the new corporation. and named as President. re-established the production of the automobile to the same standards of the original and utilizing many of the original craftsmen from first Clénet company. production resumed on the two series of Clenets started at the Goleta facility. Later adding the Ser IV to the line of Clenets. Clénet Coachworks automobiles offered features such as Italian walnut burl dashboards and etched glass accented by Waterford crystal ashtrays which brought many Clenet models in at over $100. 00. Buyers ranged from Farrah Fawcett. Rod Stewart. Ken Norton. and Sylvester Stallone to King Hussein of Jordan to name a few. Clénets were called "Drive Art" by Automotive Age and the "American Rolls-Royce" by Fortune. The new Clénet was selected as the Official Centennial Car in 1986. the year that President Ronald Reagan declared the Centennial Year of the Gasoline-Powered Automobile. As a result. Clénet Coachworks was honored at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Michigan. 250 Factory Authorized. Clénet Series One. 187 Series Two. 65 Series Three and 15 Series Four cars were produced by Clenet Coachworks Inc. Clenets sold for around US$70. 00 in the 1970s. Recently Clénets in great or new condition with no mileage on them have sold for US$100. 00 to $150. 00. Article on the Clenet from Hagerty. comClenet : Neo-Classic With a French AccentIn the late 1970s. if you wanted to turn more heads on Rodeo Drive than you could in such common runabouts as the Mercedes-Benz 450SL or Rolls-Royce Corniche. you bought a Clenet. The two-seat Clenet Roadster cost $27. 00 in 1977. when a 450SL was $22. 00. “It started with my love of an era. Alain Clenet. the car’s French-born creator. says. “I started making them because I wanted one myself. ”The former AMC designer imagined a car with pre-war elegance but modern reliability and amenities. When Clenet. then in his early 30s. displayed the prototype at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1976. orders poured in. “We had to get a factory and start building cars. he says. Operating in an airplane hangar in Goleta. California. Clenet Coachworks built its Roadster on a Mercury Cougar chassis with a 351 V-8. The passenger cabin. including windshield. came from an MG Midget. stuffed to the brim with leather and wood. The rest was fiberglass. and chromed faux side exhausts were a neo-classic must. Clenet built 248 of a planned 250 Roadsters through 1979. when the price had zoomed past $65. 00. Nearly all are accounted for on clenetcorner . com. a registry run by Tom Pierpoint. a Clenet owner who became close friends with the designer. Singer Rod Stewart. whose 1978 ode to narcissism. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” could have been the neo-classic drivers’ anthem. owned a Clenet. and so did Las Vegas crooner Wayne Newton. Even Ford design chief Gene Bordinat. who put neo-classic touches on the 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III. bought a Clenet. Next came the four-seat Clenet Cabriolet. a. k. a. Series II. The Cougar chassis carried a body tub with true 1930s provenance — the Volkswagen Beetle. Undeterred by the car’s odd proportions and inelegant details. actor Sylvester Stallone bought two. Just 175 were built. and Clenet went back to a two-seater. the $75. 00 Series III Asha. in 1982. Softening sales and a broken partnership had by then put the company into a skid. and just 36 more cars were made before bankruptcy struck. A new venture run by a former employee made another 15 before it. too. went under. Today. with his sons Kelly and Damien. Clenet markets an adjustable bed called the Ergomotion. He occasionally takes Damien’s Series I for a drive and admits that he enjoys the attention. “It’s amazing how many people want to ask about it. he says. Useful Links* To view a great video showing this car at the 2011 La Quinta Concours. click here* To view a short video with Steve Kouracos discussing the preservation restoration of this car. click here* To view a short video of this Clenet at the Alain Clenet ranch. click here* To view a video of this Clenet receiving a trophy at the Clenet gathering. click here* To view a video on the Clenet brand. click hereEuropean InterestI welcome European or any overseas interest in this classic Clenet. I will gladly assist with any overseas shipping arrangements. Photos 1977 Clenet Series I #13 of 250 Some of the Faces Behind this Beautiful Clenet Steve Kouracos (original Clenet Coachworks employee and restorer of this particular car). Alain Clenet and Donna Williams (daughter of the original owner) More Interior Pictures Engine Pics In Summary - A very special hand built American automobile - One owner car and well preserved - Very early series I car in classic color scheme Vehicle Condition I have not personally inspected this vehicle. I am relying on the pictures and descriptions provided by the seller. I can tell based on pictures and conversations with the owner that this Clenet has been loved by it's owner all of it's life. It has been preservation restored by a marque expert and there is no doubt as the it's quality and integrity. Drive it. show it. enjoy it. Please feel free to ask questions prior to bidding. I will make sure to get every questions answered in a timely basis. I invite and encourage any interested party to inspect this car in Newport Beach. CA. Seeing is really believing. Take advantage of proxy bidding: Don't loose the vehicle at the last minute! There have been many people who have lost bids in the past because they were not familiar with proxy bidding. When you bid. bid the maximum amount that you are willing to spend on the vehicle. Each time someone bids higher than your last bid. eBay will automatically increment your bid by the minimum bid amount until it reaches your maximum. Don't get stuck loosing a good deal! Testimonials - Bid with ConfidenceRead what a buyer has to say about the quality of my service after he purchased a great 1988 Lotus Esprit S4 Turbo "AAA+++. This is the way Ebay is supposed to work. Everybody is happy!!! Thanks. " Read what a buyer has to say about the quality of my service after he purchased a beautiful 1970 Mercedes 280SL. "My acquisition of a vehicle with Ron conducting the transaction went without a single problem. The description of the car was complete. informative and quite accurate. There were no surprises. All my questions and concerns were promptly addressed. 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