Clénet Cabriolet Series II

Production period:	1979 to 1987
Class:	Luxury
Body versions:	Cabriolet
Engines:	4.9-5.8 litres
Gearbox	Automatic
Length:	224 in, 569 cm
Width:	74 in, 188 cm
Height:	62.50 in, 158 cm
Wheelbase:	136 in, 345 cm
Curb weight:	4,090 1b, 1,855 kg

The Clénet Series II was a Neo-classic look car model of the American manufacturer Clénet Coachworks from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.

History

Alain Clénet's second model was significantly larger than its predecessor Clénet Series I the convertible fitted with 2 doors and 2 separate bucket seats, with reclining backrests and leather upholstery. The chassis a perimeter box-type frame with front suspension independent, unequal A arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar, double-acting telescopic dampers at the rear rigid axle, 4 links, coil springs, double-acting telescopic dampers. The car was designed as a four-seater convertible. Clénet again used a chassis from Ford, but extended it by 40 cm. The passenger compartment came from the VW Beetle Cabriolet, from which the windscreen, the doors and (in some versions) also the fabric roof were taken. Clénet, unlike the case of the Series I with the MG-Midget passenger compartment reused, now received new parts from an American Volkswagen dealer. The drive technology continued to come from Ford.

The engine was significantly smaller with 4.9 and 5.8 litres displacement and with a maximum power of 115 kW (156 hp) also considerably weaker but with even weight distribution of 50% to front, and 50% at rear. This also reduced the performance of the car: the top speed was only 155 km / h. The features were similar to those of the Series I Roadster. With rear driving wheels the gearbox gear lever location on the steering column and a Select-Shift C-4 automatic transmission, with hydraulic torque converter and planetary gears with 3 ratios max ratio of converter at stall 1.97 with possible manual selection ratios the ratios 1st 2.460, 2nd 1,460, 3rd 1, rev 2.200

• PERFORMANCE: 302 cu in, 4,950 cc
  max power (SAE net): 130 hp (97 kW) at 3,600 rpm
  max torque (SAE net): 230 1b ft, 31.8 kg m (312 Nm) at 1,600 rpm
  max engine rpm: 4,000
  26.3 hp/l (19.6 kW/l)
  power-weight ratio: 31.5 lb/hp (42.1 1b/ kW), 14.3 kg/hp (19.1 kg/kW)

Production of the Series II began in the fall of 1979, after the last Series I had been delivered. Between 1979 and 1987, a total of 180 vehicles. Usually two production phases are distinguished:

• The first phase covered the period from the end of 1979 to the summer of 1982. In these approximately two and a half years, a total of 174 convertibles were built under the direction of Alain Clénet. The production was initially recorded in the previous plant on the airfield of Goleta; By summer 1980, however, the cars were manufactured in Clénets new, also in Goleta (Santa Barbara County) built factory. These vehicles are informally referred to as Goleta-Clénets.

• After the takeover of the company by Alfred di Mora, the production of the Series II was resumed in the spring of 1984. Di Mora relocated to Carpinteria. There emerged another six, referred to as Carpinteria models Series II convertibles, which corresponded in all likelihood technically the Goleta models. In addition, di Mora made two chassis, which were not completed.

The Clénet Series II models were still very expensive vehicles. At launch, the selling price was $ 59,500; The last Carpinteria models were sold for almost twice the price. However, at least the Goleta models were initially very popular; the clientele corresponded to that of the Series I Roadster. Among the well-known Series II drivers was Sylvester Stallone, who acquired two different models within a short time. 

Special models 

During the production of the Series II Cabriolet Alain Clénet repeatedly thought about model variations:

• At the request of an Arabian customer, a four-door model with two windshields (in the style of a so-called Dual Cowl Phaeton) was created as a single piece. The vehicle was based on the Series II, but carried in detail numerous deviating design features. The vehicle is currently in unrestored condition in the US.
• In addition, Clénet considered the production of a combination car with a side wooden panel, which cited features of the "Woodie" cars from the 1930s. These considerations, however, did not go beyond the stage of pencil sketches; possibly the economic crisis of the company ended in the spring of 1982 further planning.
• The same applies to a four-door hardtop sedan with so-called suicide doors, which went back to the idea of ​​a Clénet dealer from Miami.