The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a remarkable piece of automotive history to its collection with the display of a rare 1979 Clénet Series I Roadster. As one of only 250 units ever manufactured by Clénet Coachworks, this vehicle represents a pinnacle of boutique automotive design and craftsmanship.
The roadster, numbered 236 in its limited production run, combines vintage aesthetic with modern performance. Powered by a Ford V8 engine and equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission, the car features distinctive design elements including a brown soft top, louvered hood, Continental kit, and 15-inch wire wheels.
With merely 1,300 miles on its odometer, the vehicle remains in exceptional condition. Its interior boasts a Nardi steering wheel, an AutoMeter speedometer, and comprehensive VDO instrumentation, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail in its construction.
Museum owner Ron Sturgeon emphasizes the vehicle's significance, describing it as a "masterpiece of automotive art" that embodies luxury, performance, and exclusivity. The Clénet Series I represents a unique moment in automotive design, blending hand-crafted bodywork with modern mechanical components.
Constructed with steel bodywork and fiberglass fenders mounted on a Ford chassis, the roadster exemplifies the innovative approach of small-scale automotive manufacturers in the late 1970s. Its design pays homage to the elegant roadsters of the 1930s while incorporating contemporary engineering.
The vehicle's display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum offers automotive enthusiasts and history buffs an opportunity to explore a rare example of specialized automotive manufacturing. Located in North Fort Worth, the museum provides visitors a chance to appreciate this remarkable piece of automotive heritage.
