Though engineered and built in France, the Renault Caravelle can lay claim to some American roots. Pierre Dreyfus, the company's chief executive, was heading to the U.S. in the spring of 1957 to promote the new Dauphine, and accepted an invitation to visit Florida, issued by Governor LeRoy Collins at the urging of the state's largest Renault dealer, Wendell Jarrard. Jarrard encouraged Dreyfus to consider building a convertible version of the rear-engine sedan, to which Dreyfus replied, why not?
Ghia Design's Pietro Frua was given responsibility for designing the al fresco Dauphine, and he had carte blanche to create an elegant new design, just so long as it used the Dauphine's underbody and mechanical parts, to keep costs down. Dreyfus announced that the new car would be named for his U.S. hosts' home state: the Floride. But when it was shown at the New York Auto Show in January 1959, it had been decided to market the car in the U.S. as the Caravelle, which back then would have evoked the elegant French twin-engine jet airliner. Renault called it "the young car for all ages."
The Caravelle was offered as a convertible, with an available removable steel roof, and as a coupe. It featured a small bench seat in the rear, which could be folded down to create more space for cargo. Tucking the spare tire underneath the trunk, as with the Dauphine, made it unnecessary to empty the trunk to fix a flat, and kept the dirty tire and wheel away from the luggage. With its stylish lines, the Floride/Caravelle was a commercial success, racking up 2652 sales over its 1959-1962 production run. At the car's introduction, production was farmed out to Chausson and Brissonneau & Lotz, as demand for the Dauphine kept Renault's own Flins plant running at capacity.
This 1961 Renault Caravelle was purchased and driven by a Lady in Texas very sparingly up to 1973. Than it somehow made its way into dry storage in Texas and was not found till 2013. Than it was stored again for 3 years and finally brought back to life. Whats incredible is the Paint looks Original and looks to be a rust free car. This is a True Survivor with what appears to be 28,657 miles on the engine.
What was done to freshen her up :
New Brakes ---- $600New Tires ------ $900New water pump ---- $500Complete tune up---- Plugs / Wires / Belts / Hoses ----$ 450Carburetor rebuild ---- $400Gas tank cleaned / New Lines installed---- $450Electronic Fuel Pump installed for reliability --- $400New Battery --- $150All fluids changed---- $150
over $4500.00 spent to make her Road Worthy
Convertible top can use a freshening, Front Bumper is Driver quality Seats look good / 1 stitch needs to be repaired Paint is a 10 footer / Looks good Lets be on the same page this is not a Show Car. This Renault Caravelle is a True Survivor that is meant to gather a crowd at the Car Show. It will win Many Awards for its Originality and Rarity. DMV says there are only 42--- 1961 Renault Convertibles Registered on the Road making this extremely Rare. If you Search the Web you will not find another one for sale anywhere except overseas.
Hagerty Appraised Value on car :
Low Value-----$13,950.00Average V-----$21,450.00High Value-----$32,450.00
When You look at this Car it looks like a Amphicar at first. Which was told to me by at least 5 people. This Renault will not be listed for long for at my asking price someone will buy it knowing the rarity of the car. Any questions / email me
Free Shipping anywhere in Continental USA with Buy It Now
THERE ISN'T A RENAULT CARAVELLE FOR SALE IN THE USA ORHASN'TBEEN FOR 2 YEARS. I AM PRETTY MUCH GIVING THIS CAR AWAY. AT EVERY CAR SHOW YOU WILL HAVE THE ONLY ONE !!!!!!!
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