1961 Renault

van Minivan/Van

-

Manual

8009155

Gasoline

And you thought my previous offerings were odd...This is one of one. I have heard of other Petit Panels in wrecking yards, but never seen another myself. If you have, it probably wasn't in the US. This one has been in and out of my hands since the 1970's. Though I had lofty (some say bizarre) plans to bring this back to life with a much larger engine (It's easy! Ask me How...), there is a line between idea and action that puts this one on Ebay. In its present state, it is without engine and radiator. This has been fitted with an R8-10 bellhousing to accept the later 5 main bearing engine. Originally, it was equipped with the 845cc Dauphine engine, and no alterations have been made which would prevent return to stock. In fact, I don't believe the swap ever came to life in this conversion; probably a good thing, as later model Estafettes were equipped with progressively larger and stronger drivelines anyway. Stock parts are available through the early 70's models, which used the 1289cc engine. The original "engine forward" transaxle is still in place, and good, but I imagine that the performance and top speed were less than pathetic. No modifications were made that would prevent return to original. The housepaint camouflage actually protected the original French blue, and made the van invisible to waterfowl as they flew over dry fields in Eastern Colorado for many years. Don't ask how I know this... As the auction progresses, I will add pics and descriptions of the vans strong and weak points. I will also include all my Estafette only parts (I have the front bumper, NOS taillights, factory parts and service manuals, etc.) as I will have no use for them after the first $9.99 bid. My first batch of pictures show the very worst the body has to offer; it's straight, nearly rust free, never been repaired, and did I mention unique? I will clean and document all the things I would want to see if I were buying it. Please Watch This Item for updates, and check my other auctions for more unusual Renault items. Thanks for Looking! Dan LarsonOn May-04-11 at 21:05:27 PDT, seller added the following information: 5/4/11 No sooner do I claim there are none of these around, than one pops up on Craigslist in Texas. A late model, with the 1289. Probably got A/C. Bet he doesn't have a peace symbol sticker in his back window. Anyway, the purpose of todays addition is to show the interior and to look for rust. I look for inside corners first, and that took an hour with the shop vac just to get all the fine dust out of it.On May-04-11 at 21:22:21 PDT, seller added the following information: 5/4/11 Like a dropped cell call - a whole paragraph disappeared. Where we last left off, I was looking for rust. Didn't find any. The body sheetmetal on this van is solid and rust free. The rust shown in the first batch of pictures is really the worst of it. I have over 60 pictures, up into wheelwells, down into the engine bay, and they all show this to be a very sound candidate for restoration and/or modification. Almost as though it sat for a long time in a high desert field, then was brought inside to preserve it even better. Oh, that IS what happened. As there are only eleven pictures left on Ebays allowance, I will add shots by request, along with pics of the front bumper(still have to dig it out of storage), the factory parts and service manuals(likewise), and some driveline options from original to blasphemous. Your questions and advice are appreciated - Thanks for staying tuned! DanOn May-06-11 at 21:31:35 PDT, seller added the following information: 5/6/11 Todays pictures show requested areas known to be first to show rust. As you can see in the pictures, the underside surfaces usually blasted by road grit still wear their original paint - a very good indication of just how solid the metal is. The promised front bumper won't appear until tomorrow, but it's straight, and also has its original white paint. Now for a list of known "defects". The windshield is cracked. The front turn signal lenses are missing. No engine. No radiator, but the completely intact Sofica heater is in place. Five original steel rims, but one has wallowed out mounting holes. Only one tire holds air; I will provide rollers(and get my wheel dollies back) before pickup. I will also make sure it has an operable parking brake. There is an aftermarket ignition switch installed, and it doesn't fit the opening for the original Nieman lockset - it's just hanging right now. The insulation on the engine cover is dried and crunchy. The seat belts look like the ones you find holding together a skeleton in a lost aircraft. The shift boot is mostly gone. The driver seat upholstery is included, but useful only as a pattern. I don't know if it ever had a passenger seat - there's a perforated steel box structure that doesn't look original, but is the same shade of blue. Likewise the thin pegboard panel mounted behind the drivers seat - I saved it, but don't know if it's original. All door handles,hinges and slides are dry but tight. Exhaust is hanging intact to where the muffler should be, only it's not; pictures in the parts manual look just like a standard Dauphine muffler. Rather than offer various parts and ideas you might not need, I will say that I would be happy to help you with parts and ideas in support of what you want this van to be. Lots of engine/trans combinations here, but you might want to drop it over a Honda subframe for all I know. Whatever you have planned, I can at least promise solid attachment points and a sound unibody. A brief plus, while I'm at it: The front engine, front drive layout offers a very low deck from the bulkhead back, kept even lower by a novel independent rear suspension. Net result is that the useable height inside, and at the doors, is much higher than you would get in even a full sized American van. Fewer head bonks from the doorframes, less hunchback pain within. Full utility, ridiculous gas mileage, and French character all in one unique vehicle - what's not to love? I will use up the remaining pictures tomorrow, and if you have any more questions, now would be the time to ask. I can still Show&Tell anything on the van if it will help you determine if you should be the next keeper. Thanks for Staying Tuned! DanOn May-07-11 at 22:13:52 PDT, seller added the following information: 5/7/11 Found the front bumper, picture #21 shows it in approximate mounting position resting on two boxes. Note hand crank keyhole in center of bumper - any Renault jack handle can be used to manually turn and start the engine, might be the best diagnostic tool ever included with a car. Also pictured are the Renault factory Parts and Service manuals, in flawless unused condition. I hesitated to use the word flawless, since book grading standards are not my field. I was about to backpedal when I saw a page misalignment in the parts book; turned out to be a factory printed "Erratum" page, hand glued into the manual. These books can tell you exactly how the van was built and maintained, with very accurate drawings of every last part in full page exploded views. Lastly I have included a picture of a Renault engine that is NOT included in the auction. If you intend to restore this van to original, I have Dauphine engines. If you're making a practical driver, I have 1108 and 1289cc engines which would effectively upgrade to later specs. If upgrading to later specs isn't enough, I can help you all the way through extremely reckless. I will assist your carrier at time of pickup, by having it on rolling tires, and with working E brake. Pickup location is a commercial warehouse with docks, ramp, and forklift, not a field retrieval in the mountains. I can make myself available for weekend and odd-hour pickups too - I understand the situation when a carrier is passing through, and can't wait a few days. Thanks for all your interest and comments, and of course your bids...Dan