Clénet Coachworks
Encyclopedia
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.
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
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
Hangar
A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used...
where an assembly line style of production was begun, later to be reborn in a "high tech" facility in Goleta, California
Goleta, California
Goleta is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It was incorporated as a city in 2002, after a long period as the largest unincorporated, populated area in the county. As of the 2000 census, the Census-designated place had a total population of 55,204, however, a significant...
(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
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was an American actress and artist. A multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels, in 1976...
, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, Ken Norton
Ken Norton
Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. is a former heavyweight boxer. He is best known for his 12-round victory over a peak Muhammad Ali where he famously broke Ali's jaw, on March 31, 1973, becoming only the second man to defeat Ali as a professional .He and Ali...
, and Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
to King Hussein of Jordan
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...
to name a few. Clénets were called "Drive Art" by Automotive Age and the "American Rolls-Royce" by Fortune
Fortune (magazine)
Fortune is a global business magazine published by Time Inc. Founded by Henry Luce in 1930, the publishing business, consisting of Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, grew to become Time Warner. In turn, AOL grew as it acquired Time Warner in 2000 when Time Warner was the world's largest...
.
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
Automotive Hall of Fame
The Automotive Hall of Fame is an American museum and hall of fame covering automotive innovations.-Location:Located in the metro Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, the museum shares a parking lot with The Henry Ford.-External links:*...
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.