As mentioned here before, the Renault LeCar was a revolutionary car for Renault, in the way the Golf was for VW, or the Mini was for Morris/Austin. And in the feature of this 1978 LeCar, we discovered a LeCar that was actually quite sporting. If you decided to pass on that car because it was a non-runner, or not smog-worthy, we have another opportunity to make your own sporting Renault with the convenience of 4 doors. You can find this 1981 Renault LeCar in Heron Lake, MN with bidding at $1025 and about 7 1/2 days left to go.
Wow, for a French econobox that’s lived in Minnesota, rural Minnesota even, all its life, this is in remarkable condition. Of course you’ll want to check for yourself, but the only useful detail the seller gives is that there’s very little rust, and the photos underscore that. On a side note, can you imagine the conversation about the installation of that antenna? “Hey Vern, how do you want me to install that antenna?” “Well, don’t put it in front, that would just be silly. Put it in back and angle it with the c-pillar.” “Huh?”
Interior is intact too – everything’s there, down to the funky vertically mounted radio. It looks very clean – perhaps this car was stored for part of its life? Being at a farm, it’s surprising they didn’t call it a barn find because hey, we parked it in the barn last night! The seller says they no longer have any need for it, but this seems an unlikely car to rely on or need at this point. You can also see part of the rocker in this shot, and that also looks clean.
There’s no major reason to include this shot, other than to show its good condition and the cool diamond pattern recalling the Renault logo.
The right side seems to have sustained a couple of minor dings, but looks otherwise in good shape. Unfortunately the seller offers no details on the engine, except that the car runs and drives. Frankly, a picture wouldn’t be much help anyway since most of the engine is covered by the spare tire. If you live near Heron Lake, this is probably your only opportunity to score a LeCar, so check it out!
Rusty But Trusty 
October 4, 2013 at 9:09 pm |
It needs the dreamy fabric fold-back roof! IF it did, I might have bidded on it. Then it would have come to California to be.. maybe a doorstop since it so sadly would probably not pass smog. I want one so badly- but it’s a very rare car.
October 6, 2013 at 2:58 am |
Yeah, the fabric roof would have put it over the top – ragtops on family cars are cool.
October 8, 2013 at 1:43 pm |
I had a 2dr when I lived in Rome. My neighbors had a deluxe 4dr.
These things were great, and ran on fumes. There was a problem with a coupling in the shifter base, I think, and my mechanic would just put a short length of what I thought was heater hose in there every few months, to keep things tight. I’d love to have another one….
January 1, 2015 at 11:05 am |
Not a foor doors, but a five doors, as indicated (& sold) in advertising, the “culture” of the third or fifth door since R16, in France
January 2, 2015 at 10:28 am |
If you’ll indulge me being a bit pedantic… I know manufacturers talk about 3- or 5-doors, but that term’s always bothered me… most doors swing open left or right on hinges, but the rear “door” swings up like… a hatch. So I prefer the term 2- or 4-door hatch, and I think the other way of saying it was just Renault marketing’s way of getting attention. But maybe the word “voiture a hayon” has slipped from common usage in French?
January 2, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Voiture à hayon n’est plus utilisé (not in use) ; the idea of “5ème porte” (or third, pour 3 portes) is in use since the Renault 16 – it’s a kind of trademark of Renault , from 1965 to mid 80’s they also use the terms “voiture à vivre” (car to live), based on the idea of comfort and “easy to use”.