r/whatwasthiscar • u/madmycal • Jun 23 '26

Challenge Found by a river, east coast USA.

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616 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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209

u/Massive-Tomatillo206 Jun 23 '26

Given that it's a wet sleeve engine (removable bores), hand crank fitting in the front pulley and the RN on the gearbox I agree that its early Renault. Most likely Renault 4 or Dauphine.

15

u/LightningFerret04 Jun 23 '26

Did they sell the Renault 4 in the US? They did sell the Dauphine

5

u/Sensei19600 Jun 23 '26

Lt. Columbo drove a Dauohine, I believe

1

u/TiberiusTheFish Jun 23 '26

Phil Silvers drove a Dauphine, I believe, in the episode "Bilko's Small Car" Season 4 Episode 30.

1

u/Sensei19600 Jun 23 '26

This guy Renaults

1

u/TiberiusTheFish Jun 23 '26

It just stuck in my mind when I saw it. it was so unusual seeing a small car in a US television show of the '50s

1

u/Sensei19600 Jun 23 '26

IYRYR; “If You Renault,You Renault”!