RENAULT

Caravelle

The RENAULT Caravelle is the elegant, sun-seeking convertible that gave 1960s Renault a touch of dolce vita glamour. First shown as the Renault Floride at the 1958 Paris Motor Show, the car was the idea of Renault chairman Pierre Dreyfus, who had been persuaded — reportedly at a dealers' convention in Florida — that Renault needed a sporty, affordable open car for the booming American leisure market. The "Floride" name nodded to that origin, but because it was thought unsuitable for 49 of the 50 US states, the export car was renamed RENAULT Caravelle, a name that became universal from 1962. Mechanically, the RENAULT Caravelle was based squarely on the humble Renault Dauphine, sharing its rear-mounted engine and floorpan. What set it apart was its beautiful body, styled by Pietro Frua at Carrozzeria Ghia, with crisp, clean lines that looked far more expensive than the car beneath. It was offered as a 2+2 coupé, a 2+2 cabriolet, and as a convertible with a removable hardtop, giving buyers genuine open-top style on a modest budget. Over its life the RENAULT Caravelle was steadily improved. The early Dauphine-derived 845 cc engine gave way in 1962 to a 956 cc unit, and in 1964 a more powerful 1,108 cc engine derived from the Renault 8 arrived, producing around 55 hp and giving the Caravelle more relaxed cruising ability. Disc brakes and a four-speed gearbox helped modernise the driving experience through the 1960s. Produced from 1958 to 1968 with around 117,000 cars built, the RENAULT Caravelle was a steady success, especially in North America. Today it is a charming and affordable entry into classic French motoring — pretty, simple to maintain thanks to its Dauphine roots, and increasingly appreciated as a stylish alternative to pricier European convertibles of the era.