By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
Trips to the Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ripon Classic Car Shows over the summer opened my eyes to a rare Renault sports model from the sixties.
The car in question is the Renault Caravelle, styled by leading Italian designer, Pietro Frua, who worked with the likes of Fiat and Maserati.
It was Renault’s attempt to make in-roads into the affordable sports market and compete with drop-top classics such as the Sunbeam Alpine, Triumph Spitfire and the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. It also represented a bold move into the US market.
This rear-engined coupe/convertible was launched at the 1958 Paris Motor Show as the ‘Floride’, before being badged the Caravelle.
The Floride was based on the floorpan of the sedan-shaped Renault Dauphine and came with a 845cc engine and three-speed manual transmission.
In the US there was concern among dealers that the name Floride might favour the Florida buying market but wouldn’t appeal to the other 49 US states. Renault wisely chose to brand it the Caravelle.
In 1962, the Caravelle name replaced the Floride across all markets and new upgraded models were fitted with a bigger 956cc engine which would be used in the new Renault 8.
A year later, models came with 1.1 litre engine, capable of reaching 89 mph. By the mid-sixties it was attracting a lot of interest.
The Caravelle would feature in the 1960s set, Day of the Jackal and the US TV hit, The Twilight Zone. Sales were given a further boost with the endorsement of movie icon, Brigitte Bardot, who drove a 1960 model.
It’s fair to say this little Renault would break the mould for the French car giant who were more known for making family-sized cars and everyday runabouts. The Caravelle clocked up some impressive sales with nearly 120,000 models sold in the US and Europe, but by 1966 sales began to tumble. Two years later, Renault ceased production.
Sadly, the Caravelle never really took off on these shores with showroom prices considerably higher than rivals like the Spitfire and Triumph Herald. Fast forward to the 2020s and an online scan puts price at upwards of £20,000 for a good example… if you can find one!
Today, there are less than 50 models on UK roads. A shame really as this is a beautiful little French classic.
A brilliant car that looks especially nice in white. I saw a Caravelle in white featured on Bangers and Cash recently that sold for over £16,000, and that was a hardtop, so they are definitely increasing in value.
The article brought back fond memories of summer holidays in Brittany as a child in the early 70’s, and seeing fantastic cars such as the Caravelle as well as convertible Peugeots and space age Citroens that you rarely, (if ever), saw in Yorkshire !
Thank you for your great feedback John. Yes, checking the Web reveals Bonhams sold a 1968 Caravelle convertible earlier this year for just over £14,000. The only way is up for future prices!