Restored rust free 1960 Caravelle (1st version top) virtually 100% original

Vehicle Description

More about the car. As it spent all its early "working" life in New Mexico I have never run across any rust in all the work I've done on the car. I've had the floor mats, carpets and trunk mat out and numerous jobs underneath I have not seen evidence of sheet metal rust and certainly rust through anywhere. I did not disturb the yellow repaint as it still shines and appears well done. The interior was in good shape except the front bucket seats that had been recovered over the worn-out original, My upholsterer, who is a life-long master of his craft did a masterful job re doing the front seats and the convertible top. He used special high-grade plastic in the rear window. Front seats, entire convertible top, hard top head liner, rear carpeting, the special early 60 convertible top storage boot cover. Other areas such as the front floor mat is original as are all door panels and rear seat cushions and surrounding panels. The dash is original paint and very shinny. The speedometer, gauges and the radio are original and work fine. New turn signal mechanism. Mechanically the car has been reconditioned/repaired in numerous areas. New brake shoes, cylinders, hoses etc. Also, front suspension moving parts (bushings, shocks, tires steering rack rubber parts etc.), radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator ducting panels v-belts were all done using French sourced original parts to maintain complete originality. Drivability has been addressed and in particular with the engine and transmission. Examples of this are all rubber mounts are replaced, gaskets and seals replaced to eliminate all leaks, the speedometer drive gear on the transmission main shaft was replaced to solve the problem of the plastic driven gear from being ruined. Timing gear, water pump, belt idler, valves adjusted, generator replaced so many items. I had to buy 5 Solex 32PIBT carburetors to get one to make the engine idle correctly. New distributor bushings and NOS vacuum advance installed, along with NOS Renault plug wires and plugs. The tires are new Michelin X Stop tread radials as original but one size larger 155-380. They fit, work and look great on the car. I chose them because145-380 Michelin X tires are no longer available, and 135-380 Michelin tires are available, but so narrow and look skimpy on the car. 155 tires help lower engine revolutions at highway speeds. So many things done to maintain function and originality I can't list them all. But having owned a Caravelle back when they were near new and having always done most all my mechanical work I know exactly how they were when they left the factory, I know this car now represents that well. I regret having to let this car go but I'm now 78 and have to sell my sell the building where I keep it. I restored 15 Model T, A, and early V8 Fords to show winning condition and had great connections for getting paint, upholstery and special mechanical work done. I look forward to answering any questions as there is much more to describe about this car's journey from the way I bought it to its present virtually original condition. I have an extensive collection of NOS Renault parts that fit this car also available.