page_title: Clénet Coachworks
section_title: Founding
hierarchical_section_title: Clénet Coachworks / Founding
caption_attribution_description: English: 1979 Clénet Series I in Detroit Hyatt parking lot--the Lambda Car Club was meeting there. Maker Faire Detroit writeup here.
context_page_description: Clénet was a manufacturer of Neoclassic automobiles with old retro styling, mixed with modern technology. Each limited-production model was conceived, designed, and produced by a small team of men and women in Santa Barbara County, California, in the 1970s and 1980s. The automobile's distinctive styling was based on the high-end automobiles of the 1930s. Despite their retro looks, Clénets used modern drive trains and suspension systems.
context_section_description: Clénet Coachworks, Inc., was formed by Alain Clénet and investors in 1975. Originally started in a garage, the company was moved into an airplane hangar where an assembly line style of production was begun, later to be reborn in a "high tech" facility in Goleta, California, where production of Series II continued until the company ran into financial difficulties in 1980, ceased production, and Alain Clénet filed for bankruptcy. The remaining bodies, tooling and equipment went up for auction. Soon after the bankruptcy, Sir Alfred J. DiMora owner of Classic Clenet Club and one of the first employee of Clenet, purchased off the assets of Clénet Coachworks, Inc.
  Clénet's first car was called the Series I. It was a roadster designed in a 1930s style. This was then replaced by the heavier-looking Series II in 1979.
  A total of 250 factory-authorized Clénet Series I, 187 Series II, 65 Series III, and 15 Series IV cars were produced by Clenet Coachworks, Inc. Clénets sold for around US$105,000 in the 1970s. Recently Clénets in excellent or new condition with no mileage have sold for US$100,000 to $150,000.
caption: 1979 Clénet Series I roadster
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