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In 1958 Simca updated the Aronde and made the body more modern-looking.  The model here is called the Plein Ciel, which means “full sky”, because of the generous amount of window area.  The bodies were built by the Parisian coachbuilder Facel. This car is also equipped with the Rush Super engine which gives it very […]

Parisian racer and auto enthusiast Jean-Claude Hrubon created this shortened version of the Mini Moke. Mr. Hrubon started production in 1980, but quickly sold the manufacturing rights in 1981 to Bernard Schmitt, who produced most of the cars. The majority of them were sold in kit form, and there were three different engine options: Mini

The Sonett was originally designed as a race car. The Sonett I was produced from 1955 to 1957, and only six were built. In 1966 Saab resurrected the Sonett and put it into production. The Sonett II was powered by a 2-stroke engine, and this was quickly changed to a V-4 in 1968 because of

Renaultsport was formed in the late 1940s to run Renault’s racing programs.  Throughout the years, they have made many different limited-edition vehicles based off standard Renault models.  The Renault Mégane started production in 1995, and is still in production today. It is a midsize car by European standards, and is offered in two- and four-door

The Renault Sport Clio V6 is one of a long line of sporting Renault designs based on existing economy cars by the Régie. Although clearly the Clio V6 is a descendant of the famed Renault R5 Turbo II, its closest ancestor was the Renault Sport Spider.  The formula of Renault has been relatively simple: take

Looking at the Spider, you will see that it is a completely different car from the other Renaults you have seen.  It is a stark open 2-seater similar to the Lotus Elise.  The engine is mounted transversely behind the driver.  It has an aluminum frame and a fiberglass body.  As this car was designed for

Panhard & Levassor was one of the oldest car manufacturers in the world. They started car production in 1891. Before WWII Panhard was well known for its large luxurious cars. After WWII it became obvious that there was little market for these expensive cars, and Panhard switched to building smaller, more modestly-priced vehicles. These cars

Opperman was a tractor manufacturer that decided to expand into the microcar business.  They commissioned Lawrie Bond (who designed and built the Bond Microcar) to design a car for them.  It was to have big car comfort with small car economy.  The design was fairly straightforward, with a steel reinforced body.  The rear wheels have

In the 1950s, NSU was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.  Management was still looking into the future, and was concerned that small cars were going to replace the motorcycle as a means of transport.  In 1955 NSU began to develop a small car called the Prinz.  The first Prinz cars rolled off the