2k: Nissan Power: 1967 Renault Caravelle
The Renault Caravelle is another seldom seen French export that competed with Volkswagen’s Beetle and Karmann Ghia with a rear-mounted engine and basic amenities. The last Caravelle featured on these pages was a clean looking but rally stickered example, but today’s feature is a bit more…special. Find this 1967 Renault Caravelle for sale in Knoxville, TN for $2,500 via craigslist. Tip from Timothy C.
Its not clear how much of the original Caravelle design by Pietro Frua of Carrozzeria Ghia remains as the entire front end looks to have been fiberglassed into a good impression of Mater from Disney’s Cars movies. Flat black appears to have been applied by rattle can, paint brush or accident and the spelling of Carevelle reminds us of the oft used term: Camero.
The Caravelle’s original 1.1 liter inline-4 has been swapped for an undisclosed year Nissan 1.6 liter with 5-speed manual gearbox. Given the displacement, carburetor and general appearance this is probably a sub 100 horsepower engine, but could easily put out twice the stock Renault engine power.
The Caravelle was somewhat unique car back in the 60s and featured 4-wheel disc brakes proving yet again that Renault didn’t march to someone elses beat. See a better rear-engined classic? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Rear engine rwd to front engine fwd. What's that, a six pack of bud, 4 shots of tequila, couple a welding rods and a long weekend to fab?
That underhood shot is very confusing – it looks like the front based on the open fog light vent and radiator, but there is no blue stripe in the photo and the fasteners (rivets?) on the right hand side look like something that would secure a canvas top…
it looks like the front boot came with some kind of rubbery plasticky leathery liner – probably got cut and rearranged in the freakout
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hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2006/06/01/hmn_feature4.html
1 forward gear, 4 reverse… bla bla, French car. Ba-dum-bum. Thank you, I'm here all week. Buy a t-shirt at the back table.
make that 5 reverse – garcon, another cafe au lait
Yeah. I thought it was cool by the headline's description but that is clearly a 1st generation Sentra engine/trans sideways in the front of this thing.
So you can forget about it being a super-sporty performance car. That being said, I think it's a good deal if you are looking for a cheap econo-beater that is more interesting than an econobox or Miata. & hey, It IS a 5 speed!
If the conversion is done halfway decently I say it's a score.
Let's hope he had the presence of mind to leave the old engine in there too. Twice the power!!! AWD!!
That was what i saw DIZZY CARZ REPLICA