1991 Renault Alpine GTA Turbo

Renault's Alpine followed the spiritual tradition of the rear-engine Alpine of the 60s. In 1978, Renault bought the company. Then, in 1986, Renault debuted their own version. It bore none of the sexy curves of the original Alpine (which resembled a Ferrari Dino), instead featuring hard angles, futuristic greenhouse glass and a grille-less front that looked more demure than a Merkur (sorry I couldn't resist).

Despite the aesthetic rebellion, it still had the rare and intriguing rear engine setup, and this time, it was packed with power. This is the turbocharged V6 version putting out 200 horsepower. Thanks to extensive use of fiberglass body panels, it was lighter and faster than similar Porches of the era.

There are few cars that black-on-black doesn't work and this Alpine is no exception. The seller says the paint is original but has wear. It also mercifully retains its original factory alloys.

Inside, the interior is sparse and all-business. The leather looks comfy but also shows wear.

Mechanically, the seller says the car does run and drive well and recent maintenance includes a new clutch, flywheel resurfacing and engine-out tuneup.

This is a pretty rare specimen in the North America. The seller lists it as in Ontario Canada, and it will need a few more years to be road legal here but could possibly be brought over under the show and display law in the meantime.

'91 was the last year before a mild cosmetic refreshing and some other small changes.

Available here on ebay for $17,900.

1990 Dodge Monaco

The Monaco was a clone of the Eagle Premier.

The Premier holds a special place in automotive history. It was the last car produced by American Motors Corporation before being acquired by Chrysler. The body was designed by Giugiaro (yes, Giugiaro).

When AMC realized people who bought their Wagoneer truck chose European cars for sedans, they set out to create a American car that could bring those buyers back. But with Renault parts, front-wheel drive and poor reliability, that effort failed. It was more on the level of a Camry or Accord (although it looked way cooler than both), but didn't sell nearly as many units.

The Premier was produced from 1987 to 1992. In 1990, Dodge decided to re-badge the car and sell it as the Monaco alongside the Premier. The car was identical inside and out except for some small cosmetic changes. If any examples of the Premier are hard to find today, the Monaco is even rarer. I don't have sales figures but given the brief production time and fact they get trashed then scrapped has to make them on the verge of extinction, if not so already.

The body by Giugiaro is one of his lesser known classics. Just as he set the standard with the wedge shape of the 70s, he createed the prototypical four-door family sedan shape of the 90s with the Premier/Monaco. It's a masterpiece of form over function, all clean straight lines and hard angles. No nonsense, but some people like their cars that way. I do.

The seller of this example says it has less than 94k miles on the clock, and is mercifully the V6 version. They say it was always stored in a garage, but, like a lot of craigslist ads, are scant on details. How many owners? Is there any rust? Is it even running?

Auto snobs will never accept the notion of a front-wheel drive four-door sedan as a classic, but the Monaco screams to be saved and recognized. How few examples have to be left for bells to start ringing? There's just too much history and style to be ignored.

Available here on craigslist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for "best offer takes it". First time I've seen that.

Blue Plate 1970 Renault R10

The Renault R10 was a more upscale version of the R8. Both featured a rear-mounted engine powering the rear wheels. Production of the R10 last from 1965-1971.

The overall length of the R10 was increased from the R8, as well as luggage space but the interior size remained the same. Power came from several four-cylinder engines.

French cars are quirky and this Renault is no exception, especially with the engine in the rear. Still, it's easy to forget that rear engines were once the norm, even on economy cars. Will the auto industry forever collude to keep us starved with front-engine, front-wheel drive, or will rear engine ever make a widespread comeback?

The seller of this example says it is a two-owner vehicle that wears its blue plates proudly. Cosmetically, they say it is "99%" rust free but does have some dings, dimples and dents that would be expected from a decades old vehicle. They say the interior is in good shape.

In the rear is the larger 1300cc 4-cylinder engine that the seller says doesn't leak oil or smoke and and runs well.

The seller says there are a stack of receipts that come from day one of purchase.

This is a charming little car that you don't see often in the U.S. It could be further refined to become a show car, continue as a daily driver or errand car, or both.

Available here on ebay in Ventura, California with bidding at $200.

No Reserve Pre-War 1923 Renault KJ Roadster

This boat tail Renault was made before WWII. Renault was founded in 1899 and is one of France's major automakers.

Pre-war cars featured the radiator behind the engine, hence the sloped nose and side vents. It was not until 1930 that radiators were moved to the front.

The 1920s were a time of economic prosperity and Renault produced a bunch of vehicles at the time. While closed cars were the most luxurious and costly, roadsters like this were the cheapest.

The seller says this example is motivated by a 4-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. Mechanically, they say it has a rebuilt motor and carburator.

Cosmetically, it looks stunning in flat true blue which black wheel arches and running boards. I especially love the aerodynamic full-faced wheels.

The seller says it had no rust or rot, 1000 original miles (impossible to verify but ok), and a clear CA title.

This is a lovely car. If you're into pre-war, check it out.

Available here on ebay in Mission Hills, California with bidding at $7,600 and no reserve.

Extinct Or Not? 1987 Renault Alliance GTA Convertible

As of last summer, Hagerty's Insurance rated the 1986-1987 Renault GTA extinct.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your memory of them) some do pop up. In this case, it's a relatively low mileage and clean survivor, making it an extra rare find.

It was actually made by American Motors Company and built in Wisconsin. Since 1979, Renault had an ownership stake in AMC, which resulted in dozens of cars until AMC's eventual sale to Chrysler in 1988.

The Alliance was produced from 1983-1987. It's a rudimentary front-wheel drive compact car to compete with the likes of Chrysler's K-cars. It even looks like a K-car, although that's not necessarily an insult. The shape is simple, clean, well-proportioned and generally inoffensive.

Although hopes were high and the car initially impressed, the complexities of AMC's relationship with Renault seemed to eventually defeat the Alliance. Not a wide enough variety of body styles were offered. The cars were underpowered. And reliability grew poor. It was eventually determined that despite the U.S.-based construction, the cars were really no better than notoriously poorly built French cars. The final slap on the face was in 2009 when Car & Driver retracted their 1983 naming of the Alliance as car of the year. Ouch.

This Alliance is the final-year-only GTA trim. It was a "high performance" edition that came with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 95 horsepower, body skirts, and various other mechanical and cosmetic upgrades.

The seller is a dealer and does their best used-car-salesman writeup, complete with italics and exclamation points. They note the 94k-miles are original and it was owned by a Renault enthusiast.

Cosmetically, it looks immaculate. The color combo is flatters the simple, boxy, compact shape (dare I say reminiscent of the BMW E30).

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle is "sound".

If Haggerty said there were no more left over a year ago, you can bet there are even fewer now. How many can be left? And in this good shape?

Available here on ebay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with bidding starting at $3,000 and a buy-it-now of $4,688.

Beautiful Berlinette: 32k-Mile 1975 Renault Alpine

This is one of the cleanest examples of an Alpine A110 seen around, and it's also conveniently located in the United States, as opposed to several that have been found in Mexico lately (as there used to be a factory there).

The A110 was produced from 1961-1977. These featured rear-mounted engines that powered the rear wheels. The engine makers varied but they were all four-cylinders.

The lovely fiberglass body was styled by Giovanni Michellotti, who also penned the BMW 2002.

Renault eventually took complete control over Alpine, but it didn't hurt the cars. Engine displacement increased among various other modifications. These cars have extensive rally history that deepens their historical significance, winning the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally and becoming the first World Rally Champion in 1973, to name a few.

This late build example looks terrific in refrigerator white, showing off the excellent proportions and classic shape. The seller says the body is mostly original with no cracks, and that the interior has the original seats and floor mats. They state the mileage as being around 53,000 kilometers, which is about 32k miles.

They also say it has the Gordini engine, but give no indication as to whether it is running or not.

It's hard to find an Alpine in good shape, let alone one in the U.S. This could be a great opportunity for someone looking for one that doesn't require a major restoration.

Find it here on ebay in Staten Island, New York.

Summer's Almost Over! 1987 Renault Alliance GTA

Just in time before the end of summer comes this Renault convertible appropriately painted in white over tan interior.

It was actually made by American Motors Company and built in Wisconsin. Since 1979, Renault had an ownership stake in AMC, which resulted in dozens of cars until AMC's eventual sale to Chrysler in 1988.

The Alliance was produced from 1983-1987. It's a rudimentary front-wheel drive compact car to compete with the likes of Chrysler's K-cars. It even looks like a K-car, although that's not necessarily an insult. The shape is simple, clean, well-proportioned and generally inoffensive.

Although hopes were high and the car initially impressed, the complexities of AMC's relationship with Renault seemed to eventually defeat the Alliance. Not a wide enough variety of body styles were offered. The cars were underpowered. And reliability grew poor. It was eventually determined that despite the U.S.-based construction, the cars were really no better than notoriously poorly built French cars. The final slap on the face was in 2009 when Car & Driver retracted their 1983 naming of the Alliance as car of the year. Ouch.

This Alliance is the final-year-only GTA trim. It was a "high performance" edition that came with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 95 horsepower, body skirts, and various other mechanical and cosmetic upgrades.

The seller of this Alliance says they acquired it in 2006 with just 71,985 miles on it and have since put on only an additional 7,655 miles.

They have most records from '06 onward.

They say the vehicle was in an accident at some point, but was repaired. They say the rear window is cracked, but the power top works, although there are a few tears. They say the car was only driven in the summer during their ownership, and the undercarriage has been coated with rust preventer. They do mention there are a few cosmetic blemishes.

Mechanically, they say it shifts fine and does not burn or leak oil.

These weren't great cars in their heyday and they certainly aren't impressive today, but this is a very rare one-year-only edition in decent shape.

Find it here on ebay in Holland, Michigan.

Last AMC Car: 1992 Eagle Premier

How would you like to own one of the last cars created by the now-defunct American Motors Corporation? I emphasize 'cars' because AMC did continue to make Jeeps, which are technically not cars.

If you're interested, this is the one to get. It's a '92 Eagle Premier. Eagle was a marque made by Chrysler after they bought AMC in 1987 and lasted from 1988-1999.

The Premier was Eagle's flagship car and was produced from 1987-1992. Eagle cars were mostly front-engine, front-wheel drive economical passenger cars. The Premier was Eagle's largest car and the first full-size car from AMC since 1978. There was also a sister clone badged as a Dodge Monaco from '90-'92, which is even more rare.

The chassis was based on the Renault 25. Renault had a partnership with AMC at the time, and this was the last result of their interesting partnership.

Mechanically, the car was offered with either a four or six-cylinder engine.

Styling was handled by famed designer Giorgietto Giugiaro. I love it. He was no doubt inspired by Audi cars of the time. It is the epitome of the late 20th century sedan, all boxes and squares and corners. It's handsome, conservative and reassuring. For the Premier's debut in 1987 I'm sure it was very futuristic feeling. It's also highly functional. Boxy design means more space, and the Premier had 122 cubic feet of interior room.

The seller says this one has 133k miles, no rust and runs well. That all sounds good enough for me.

It appears to be an upper-level trim ES, which apparently meant body color painted white alloy wheels, leather seats, and rear trunk deck luggage rack (love those) among other features. If you're going to get an old sedan, why not treat yourself? Get the most for your money and try to snag high trim cars over base models.

I also think it has the V6, though the seller doesn't say.

1992 was the last year of the Premier so AMC/Chrysler hopefully worked out all the bugs by then. Apparently some cars had electrical issues, but I haven't heard much about it. If this one made it to 133k, it's got to be good to go for at least another 50k miles.

This is the kind of totally forgotten but practical sedan I'd love to have as a daily driver for myself. It's an unusual, great looking and comfortable cruiser. Drive it into the ground, then restore it from the ground up with new paint, engine parts etc. By that time, you might have the only one left. This has got to be one of the top endangered cars. Few were made, few were sold, and very few are left as they have no collector value and typically get junked when owners are done with them.

Save this one.

Find it here on craigslist in Reed City, Michigan for a very reasonable $2,500.