This is the perfect car for rear-engine fanatics like the author of all that is known as Torchlopnik, and it ain’t some damn abomination of a Volkswagen. Look no further than this wacky old Renault.
Renault left the North American market in 1988, never to return.
But back in 1960, the French were in business selling what the rest of the world knew as the Renault Floride in coupe, cabriolet and convertible form. The latter is what you’re looking at here, a 2+2 cabriolet with a removable hardtop.
It’s the best of both worlds!
Why is this car perfect for Jason? Multiple reasons, really. The first being why they had to rebadge it for America, according to Hemmings’ listing:
At a convention of North American distributors that took place in Florida, Renault’s US dealers called for the creation of a Dauphine coupé/cabriolet which would improve Renault’s image in the critical US market. Renault’s chairman, Pierre Dreyfus , agreed, and since the concept had been born at a convention in Florida the car instantly became known within the company as the “Renault Floride.” The “Floride” name was considered unsuitable for 49 of the 50 states of the USA, however, since it could have implied disrespect to states other than Florida. For this reason an alternative name, “Caravelle”, was from the start used for North America and for other major markets (including the UK) where the principal language was a form of English.
It’s always Florida, isn’t it?
This 1960 Renault Caravelle is also:
- Rear-engined with a manual gearbox
- Spacious enough for the whole family
- French
- Light Olive Green
- Versatile thanks to its removable Tonneau top
- Awesome in every way
The fact that it also looks a bit like an Amphicar is just the icing on the cake.
MotoeXotica Classic Cars is selling this in St. Louis, Missouri. I believe Jason is already on his way.
Photo credit: MotoeXotica Classic Cars
Contact the author at mate@jalopnik.com.