Originally posted by straffo:
We rule in Car design 
You are scared now
Having been the owner of several French cars over the years, I feel that I am in a better position to judge than most Americans....
My first experience with these cars began when I purchased a new 1980 Renault R-5, called the Le Car here in the states. I liked it very much, although it was butt- ugly by any standard. A year later I bought a second R-5 for use in time/distance rallying. This second one was black. I bought a racing stripe kit and put two 2 inch
down the center of the car. Then, using a hair dryer, I removed the white lettering on each side that "Car" and replaced them with white letter decals that spelled out P-E-W.
I kept "Le Pew" for 6 years and it never once let me down. It wasn't fast. It had more body roll than a jet ski. It was the literal definition of 'ugly'. Yet, it could go anywhere, even on the beach. It could plow through deep snow a well as my CJ-5. It alway started, never broke down and was a joy to own in terms of cost and efficiency.
I only wish I could say the same for the 1982 Renault Fuego Turbo that I purchased for my wife in July of '82. This car made Bill Clinton appear trustworthy.....
I don't mean to imply that the French cannot design an attractive automobile. The problem as I see is that they refuse to. Perhaps this is more a reflection of the French culture which likes to be different. My time in France led me to believe that the nation has a stubborn desire to be independent in every aspect of life. However, this admirable trait does produce unique automobiles such as the 2CV, which must be considered the automotive equivilent of the Amiot 143......
Personally, my favorite French car is the Renault Alpine. With regard to racing machinery: The Matra endurance racers of the 1970s were truly beautiful.
My regards,
Widewing
