Clénet Coachworks

Clénet is an automobile series 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 Coachworks Inc. was formed by Alain Clenet 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 (just north of Santa Barbara) where production of Series II were produced until the company ran into financial difficulties in the early 1980s, ceased production, and filed for bankruptcy. The remaining bodies, tooling and equipment went up for auction. Sir Alfred J. DiMora purchase of the assets of Clenet Coachworks Inc. and revived Clenet and moved the company to a new production factory in Carpinteria, California.

Sir Alfred J. DiMora purchased company assets out of bankruptcy and formed the new corporation, were he was named President and CEO, and re-established the production of the automobile to the same standards of the original, utilizing many of the original craftsmen from the first Clénet company. Production resumed on the two series of Clenets started at the Goleta facility. Later the Series IV and Ser V was added to the line of Clenets. Clénet Coachworks automobiles offered features such as Italian walnut burl dashboards and etched glass accented by Waterford crystal ashtrays which brought many Clenet models in at over $100,000. Buyers ranged from Farrah Fawcett, Rod Stewart, Ken Norton, and Sylvester Stallone to King Hussein of Jordan to name a few. Clénets were called "Drive Art" by Automotive Age and the "American Rolls-Royce" by Fortune.

Sir Alfred J. DiMora's new Clénet was selected as the Official Centennial Car in 1986, the year that President Ronald Reagan declared the Centennial Year of the Gasoline-Powered Automobile. As a result, Sir Alfred J. DiMora was honored at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Michigan.

250 Factory Authorized, Clénet Series One, 187 Series Two, 65 Series Three and 15 Series Four cars were produced by Clenet Coachworks Inc. Clenets sold for around US$100,000 in the 1970s. Recently Clénets in great or new condition with no mileage on them have sold for US$100,000 to $150,000.

External links

• Clénet enthusiast

www.DiMoramotorcar.com www.Clenetclub.com