Equipment
845/40hp, 4-speed, gray Robergel wire wheels with hub caps, whitewall, hardtop.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Delivered new in Europe. Restored about 15 years ago. Tired chrome bumpers and windshield frame but good paint. Pitted door handles. Original glass. Paint blistering on the steering wheel. Lovely upholstery. A 20-footer in nice colors, and a charming French oddball.
Market commentary
Renault introduced its Caravelle in 1958. Outside of Britain and North America, though, it went by the name of Floride, the French word for Florida ("Caravelle" was standardized in 1962). A small, rear-engine, rear-drive convertible with a body designed by Pietro Frua at Ghia, the Floride/Caravelle wasn't so much a sports car as it was a handsome open-air cruiser with sporty proportions, sort of like a French Karmann-Ghia. About 117,000 were produced but they're quite a rare sight in this country, especially a European-market Floride with a hardtop like the car here. Its price is huge (the #1 value for a Caravelle in our price guide is $31,900), so the seller should be thrilled. What better place to sell a Floride than Florida?