Sheep in Wolf's Clothing 1958 Renault Floride Long, Colorful History Few car makers have as interesting a history as France's Renault. First started in 1898 by 21-yr. old Louis Renault, it grew to be France's largest automaker. During WWII, Louis Renault was given the impossible choice by the Germans of either collaboration or destruction of his company. Because he chose collaboration the Allies destroyed his factories and he was imprisoned for treason. Charles DeGaulle nationalized the company in 1945. France's Answer to the Karmann Ghia In the mid-1950's, Renault Head Pierre Dryfus toured the U.S. to see about increasing sales here. What he found was a great demand for an inexpensive small convertible. VW's Karmann Ghia was doing very well and Renault wanted a share of this market. Using a design collaboration between Dryfus' friend Virgil Exner Jr. and the Italian design company Ghia, the Floride was born. Shown here first at the 1959 NY Auto Show, 1300 were ordered. Unfortunately the Floride used the Dauphine's slow 35 horsepower engine, which despite the 85 mph. top end still earned the nickname of a “Sheep in Wolf's Clothing”. Model Feature • Opening Hood • Opening Doors • Opening Trunk • Includes Both Boot and Soft Top • Trunk Located Engine is Wired and Plumb • Renault Can Be Displayed with Top Up or Down • Interior Includes Working Steering System and Carpeting • Precision Die-Cast Replica • 9 Inches Long • 1:18 Scale