French cars are a mysterious spot on the automotive landscape these days, a reminder that they were once an import like any other brand sold stateside. However, for the predominant brands of Citroen and Peugeot, a series of challenges… more»
French Classic Cars
Rare French Classic: 1988 Renault 4 “Frog”
Some cars are so quirky they can’t help but be cool. Such is the case with this 1988 Renault 4 “Frog” Convertible. The seller claims that only around 500 of these classics were produced and that they were a… more»
Restore, or Not? 1956 Citroën Traction Avant 11B
Many car makers lay claim to some fame or another: first this, first that. My favorite “car of firsts” is the Lancia Lambda. Yes, I probably like Lancias too well, but the Lambda did deserve accolades for the first… more»
Cheap Hatches: Flock of Renault R16s
Leave it to the French. The country’s designers had a knack for eyeing a thing everyone else had seen a hundred thousand times and doing it differently. So goes the Renault R16. Introduced in 1965 at the Geneva Motor… more»
French Mercedes: 1985 Peugeot 505S Turbo Diesel
If you want to buy a new French car in the U.S. today, you have one choice and you had better be a trust fund baby or a YouTube mega-star, as the new Bugattis are sold out, even for… more»
Oddball Beauty: 1972 Citroen DS
There are a few automakers which don’t follow the grain and just do their own thing. Citroen is a very good example of this, always shunning traditional design conventions and how a car should operate and look. Sometimes they… more»
Only 2 Owners and 20k Miles: 1966 Renault Dauphine
Like the Volkswagen Beetle and Morris Minor, the Renault Dauphine was one of the entrants to create Post-WW2 European-built economy cars. It was in production from 1956 to 1967 with more than two million copies, although only a small… more»
South Dakota Car: 1985 Renault Encore 5-Speed
Almost looking as if it had AWD, or was missing an engine – or better yet, was set up with the ever-popular Carolina Squat, this 1985 Renault Encore looks good in black. This Wisconsin/France marriage made in heaven (or… more»
Classic Jet: 1964 Fouga CM170
We certainly can’t be accused of not providing variety at Barn Finds, and for those with an aeronautical leaning, this 1964 Fouga CM170 could be the classic of your dreams. Its condition is excellent, and a recent inspection confirms… more»
BF Auction: 1961 Peugeot 403 Break Wagon
French manufacturers have earned a well-deserved reputation for producing cars that aren’t loaded with luxury appointments but feature excellent engineering and unsurpassed versatility. One such car is the Peugeot 403, which remains a firm favorite in many African nations… more»
Price-Dropped French Classic: 1963 Panhard PL17
Manufacturers need to look outside the square if they plan to produce a car with limited engine power. Such was the case with Panhard and its PL17 model. Its engine bay housed a tiny motor with modest power, but… more»