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.
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.
Clenet Coachworks Inc. produced 252 Series I automobiles. Early marketing literature identified this model as the Clenet Continental, but the name was changed to Roadster after a few vehicles were produced. Sequence numbers, such as 231/250, are based upon the production run of 250 vehicles produced at the original Goleta airport location from 1976 through late 1979. In addition, the prototype, called the Clenet Continental, was built in 1975. The very last Series I car ever produced, called the Designer Series, was built for Mr. Alfred J. DiMora and was assembled in 1985 at the Carpinteria plant. The base price of the Series I started at $29,500 in 1976 and increased to $79,500 by the end of production 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.
Source: Wikipedia + Clenetclub.com
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