Currently an assuredly "concours d' Lemons" car, this one actually was displayed at our local (for real) Carillon Park Concours in Dayton OH to show the non-car buff folks attending the event what many of the cars on the field looked like in their "before" condition.     "Bridgette" is a 1956 Renault 4CV convertible, and actually is a rare car.  Only 12-13 4CV convertibles were imported to the US (out of somewhere around 10,000 4CVs total) in its last year of production, primarily because the convertibles were nearly 50% more expensive than the sedans:  $1600 vs $1095.  By her VIN, she's one of the last 56's, and thus one of the last 4CV convertibles off the assembly line.     She's a little beat up because, among other indignities to befall her, in 1974 she was a (very) unwilling participant in a tornado, where a barn fell on her.  Thus the dents in unusual places.   After many years in my garage looking forlorn, Bridgette's turn for restoration is approaching.    She'll be painted a nice "Atlantic Green" metallic--a color unique to 4CV convertibles.    That wad of material visible through the side windows--is the convertible top, another victim of the 1974 tornado.  But someday...   Bridgette heading for the concours ... View more

I too have owned Renaults--13 4CVs (over the years) to be exact...but having bought out the local dealer of related parts when they ceased operations in 1974, I don't lack for parts...except for my '56 convertible.  Less than 6000 convertibles were built out of 1.1 million 4CVs produced, and in 1956, 12 or 13 were imported to the US--as US-specific models, thus different from the French Metropolitan cars in several aspects--and mechanically different from the 1955 and earlier convertibles.  And mine was in a tornado, further adding to its restoration challenges.     My other "challenge" is a 1949 Fiat Topolino woody station wagon--real structural wood, not trim.  From the cowl back, the body is unique to the wagon--and they made about 400 that year.  I know of one other in the US.   ... View more