A Twin For the Clenet?

Every-so-often I check out the usual on-line resources for Clenet S-1's and their related parts that might be offered for sale. In mid-July I came across a simple classified ad in the Auto Bible known as Hemmings Motor News. The four-line ad merely stated that a 1979 Clenet was being offered for sale with mileage known to be in the low 40's.

With '79 being the transitional year between the S-1 and the S-2, I was reluctant to call as the seller had not included that information nor a photo of the car. A good week had passed with my curiosity finally getting the best of me and I dialed the phone number. I was greeted by a gentleman who enjoyed having lengthy conversations. The first question I asked was if the Clenet being offered was a Series I or a Series II. The seller immediately confirmed that he was selling a genuine Series I Clenet and asked me why most callers as that question. I did not have an answer for the other people who may have called him, but my answer was that I am only interested in acquiring another Series I.

The seller being most endearing kept me on the phone for almost an hour, even though he kept telling me he needed to be at a local outdoor music performance. I was able to break the conversation and told him to enjoy his evening as I agreed to phone back the next day. That following afternoon I found time to call the seller who again was able to keep me on the phone for another hour. This time it was I who was late for a dinner engagement and did my best to get my questions answered.

Through no less than three lengthy phone conversations, the seller seemed to have an extensive history of this particular Clenet. At one point during one of the phone calls, he took his cordless phone out to the car where he was able to tell me the Car Sequence Number, VIN and other unique identifiers that confirmed the car was authentic. I had to ask these questions as I've found several advertisements offering a Clenet for sale that actually isn't.

After having the conversation with the seller, I got the crazy notion to drive 10+ hours south to see the car and called my brother Mario to see if he was up for an impromptu road trip. The following afternoon we hopped into the XK8 and drove clear through to southern Tennessee after having dinner in Louisville, Kentucky. The next morning we awoke to rainy skies and continued our journey into Alabama and arrived at the seller's home within minutes of our ETA. The rain was clearing and we were greeted with bright skies and periodic sunshine.

As we approached the home, there it was...parked outdoors under a carport. A red and beige Clenet S-1. My immediate reaction to the car was that the paint color seemed a bit "off" from what I would expect from the factory. Within a minute of inspecting the car, I confirmed the body had been repainted as the caramel leather interior didn't compliment either the body nor fender colors. The car was solid as far as the frame and metalwork were concerned, however the previous owner took too many liberties with "customizing" the vehicle by adding his monogrammed initials, tooled leather accents, various armed forces & higher education insignias everywhere possible...with a rivet gun! The fenders showed prior repair work that was sophomoric at best and many exterior accessories were broken, in need of replacement. Upon further inspection we found no less than 15 areas the first owner haphazardly engraved his name into body parts and components.

Having driven over 600 miles one way, we chose to stay longer than necessary to thoroughly inspect this particular vehicle. We took over 50 pics of the car to help reinforce our decision to take a pass on the car. The seller's opinion of stated condition varied greatly from my opinion of the vehicle. I used our Clenet as the benchmark to use as comparison when making the determination. I extended my opinion of what the car was worth (to me) and the seller immediately replied that he would not sell it for that price.

Being very disappointed with the car, Mario and I thanked the seller for his time and began our ten-hour journey back home. The entire 600 miles of driving, we never turned on the car radio; instead we talked about our Clenet, this particular Clenet among other subjects to pass the time. We both agreed that even with its issues, our car is a museum piece when compared to the poor thing we just drove 600 miles to see. As stated, the frame and metal body seems to be solid, however most everything else needs to be repaired or refurbished to bring this car around. I'd consider the challenge, however nowhere near the advertised price.

With the dog days of summer here, Mario and I are hoping that we can find time to perform some exhaust and brake work on our Clenet. In the meantime, we'll be enjoying and respecting our car.

The Clenet Gets New Sound...

About two weeks ago, Mario and I retrieved the Clenet from the local Ford service center where we had the radiator replaced. The repair was lengthy as a new custom radiator had to be created and the car sat motionless in their service facility. The day after we picked up the car, Mario and I jumped in and took it out for a test drive and a much needed wash! My oh my those mechanics know how to leave oily handprints all over it.

While driving around the area, we both noticed that one of us would turn the radio on, but then turn it off after a few minutes. The reason being that the originally installed Pioneer stereo just doesn't sound that great! We both agreed that the car needs some new sound! Together, we inspected the installation of the radio and felt a new unit shouldn't be too difficult to replace as it's a standard universal size. The radio is located in a recess that is covered in black leatherette and surrounded by the immaculate burl-wood fascia.

Mario began to pull the radio knobs from their stems while I opened the cowl cover that is under the hood. While dinking around in the cowl area, I am again impressed with the neat, orderly and clean work that went into building this car. All of the wiring is loomed and neatly banded from the fuse panel to all of the accessories, dash lights, gauges and miscellaneous components. Then...I hear Mario exclaim "oh no" from inside the car. I ask what's wrong and he immediately replies, "well, nothing is actually wrong, but we will have a major job ahead of us." I asked him to further explain.

When Mario removed the faceplate from the stereo, he discovered that the dashboard backing is one very thick piece of steel plating and the radio "cut out" is actually 3 holes. 2 small circles for the volume and tuning stems and a center opening for the cassette/tuner display. We both know that nobody manufactures the old-style stereo units anymore! We continued to remove the old unit, which came out of the car through the cowl and not from under the dash. We both knew what was ahead of us...the job just got bigger.

We had already purchased a new Sony single-CD player with an MP3 port and other various accessory ports and agreed that we would make it work. The four original speakers are in very good shape and will remain for now.

The reality set in that we'd have to cut the dash backing plate in order to install the new radio and we both knew a hand held hacksaw wasn't going to do it!

Just as a surgeon would prepare for his work, Mario and I prepared the Clenet for the face lift! We masked off the dash and the leather covered tray lip. All of the wiring behind the dash was carefully held back with ties and tape. We both sat in the car going over the plan to ensure the burl-wood dashboard fascia wouldn't receive a single blemish. Mario set up the reciprocating saw with a fresh metal blade, put his goggles on and went right to work. I didn't want to watch, but had to keep my eyes on the blade from behind the dash.

The sound of metal being cut from the Clenet while in Ken's driveway brought many of the neighbors over to see what he was doing with that saw. Mario and I continued to slowly and methodically cut into the dash to ensure precise, level cuts while Ken "entertained" the small crowd. They set up lawn chairs, a blanket and ordered in dinner while we were working.

Dinner arrived and a few bottles of red were opened just in time for us to take a break from the sawing. Several test-fittings and a few more passes with the saw gave us an appropriate opening for our new stereo. In tandem, Mario and I fitted the new unit in place and secured it with the original rear bracket. Mario then spliced the speaker wiring, ground and various switched and constant power supplies. We found matching nylon straps and rebound the wiring to original Clenet standards, keeping it neat and orderly. Mario slid a CD into the unit and we enjoyed some new sound while enjoying dinner just as the sun was setting in the western sky.

The radio-ectomy turned into another evening party out front of Ken's house where we listened to music, enjoyed a few more glasses of red and stayed up much too late!

How many a's are in Fabulous?

Mario drove the entire distance from Three Oaks to the LCC-LMR meet, hosted on a 80+acre spread complete with a mile of paved driving track. As we turned into the private drive, about half of the attendees were gathered near an out-building at the end of the driveway, sharing lively banter. All conversations stopped, heads turned and all eyes were immediately upon us.

I didn't know what to say or expect from the group. We quickly asked where the show field was and drove off in the direction our host had gestured. As we drove away from the group, all I heard was "faaaaaabulous!" Hearing that many a's pronounced in the word fabulous, we knew we had a captive audience.

We took the next open spot and immediately fielded many, many questions from guys who own stunning mid-century Lincolns, Imperials, Cadillacs along with the Audi / Porsche / VW performance crowd. It wasn't too long that the host opened up the track and we had many of the guys asking to take the Clenet out. Of course we obliged!

Other than my brother and I discussing the purchase, I have not heard "Clenet" spoken so many times and by so many people...ever!

The Clenet looked great, we felt like celeb's and it was the perfect meet to debut our car. Next weekend: The worlds largest organized Flag Day parade!

-Ron Zarantenello

Off the truck and in good hands...

At 8:00 Friday morning, the carrier delivered our car. We were excited and relieved that it finally made its way to Three Oaks. The service team quickly examined the car as we discussed details to make it ready for a quick car show the following day. We agreed on a tentative completion time, barring any unfortunate findings once the car was thoroughly inspected.

Later in the day, Mario dropped in on the dealer and to his surprise, they had the car running. All it needed was a new fuel pump, filter and oil/trans service. We insisted on new tires which had been shipped via overnight service. A hearty thank you goes out to the guys at Three Oaks Ford and to Tom @ the Clenet Corner who phoned our service manager with information and suggestions!

I am the lucky brother who collected the car Saturday morning - 90 minutes earlier than promised. I was merely driving past the dealership and noticed our car off the rack and backed into the stall. The team met me as I entered the bay and told me to go ahead and take it out for a spin. A technician had already performed a road test and was confident we would be just fine for the afternoon LCC-LMR meet.

I immediately drove away to fill the tank with fresh gas and couldn't believe the amount of attention I was getting. After fueling, I drove back past the dealership to where some local friends were hosting a benefit car wash. As I approached the supermarket, I didn't see Mario driving towards me. He pulled his car up next to me and had the most incredible smile on his face! Wow...I knew that was you from a good mile away, he exclaimed!

He followed me to my partner's home where we spent the next three hours cleaning, polishing and buffing to get it ready. The sunburn was worth it! As I compose this posting, my neck is still tingling.

By 2PM we were off to the car show, not expecting the reaction received from our fellow club members...we never thought our Clenet would be the jewel of the show!
-Ron Zarantenello

Now What!

The team got the car running for short periods of time by priming the carburetor. After several repetitions we all decided to stop to keep the raw gasoline from washing any remaining oil from the pistons and cylinders. Seeing that the car will eventually run, I handed over the nonnegotiable payment to the seller, which was a very fair price for us all, considering the amount of work it will require to make roadworthy.

The team had to disband and I again was left alone with the car. I opened the driver's door and sat in our car...our Clenet! It took 28 years to find it and now it was ours. I was now able to phone my brother Mario who had been anxiously awaiting a call from me. I told him that he'd be hearing from me by ten o'clock that morning and as I looked at my watch it was half past one in the afternoon! I quickly phoned Mario in New Buffalo, MI at his office to let him know it started and that we just bought a car! I could hear the excitement in his voice, however he had to maintain his professional composure. Looking down that long hood at the crystal ornament, I had begun to imagine myself driving this wonderful creation between Chicago and Harbor Country!

Now what! How do we get her home to Harbor Country! I had made pre-arrangements with the same transport company that came six months earlier to snap up the seller's other cars, however they were told the car was in full running order. How do we move a non-running four-thousand pound neo-classic? I called the transport service thinking the deal was off, and to my surprise, the shipping representative told me that she already had a truck in Dallas and the vehicle not running wasn't a concern...just a higher fee to winch it onto the truck. I told her to send the driver as early as possible. No less than 40 hours later, the car was being hoisted onto the carrier while I was back in Michigan having breakfast!

As of this morning (Wednesday 6/3/08) the car should have arrived by now. Mario just learned that the hauler experienced a malfunction/breakdown just outside of Des Moines, Iowa and the anticipated delivery will be two days late. I found the car, hopped a jet to see the car and then crawled in, under and over...afterwards arranging the shipment; I have now passed the helm to Mario. Once the car is in Three Oaks, MI on Friday, it is he who will be working directly with the servicing dealer to bring it back to life. New tires are already on overnight order and other "tune-up" parts are ready and waiting the arrival. I see a great deal of magic wadding being consumed on all that bright-work!

We are hoping that we can use the car Saturday afternoon to attend the LCC/LMR's get-together about an hour from Harbor Country! Let's all keep our fingers crossed!

Next...she now has a new home, but still needs to be named!
rz

Seeing is believing...

I immediately phoned the Milwaukee, Wisconsin number found on the web-page where the car was being advertised. The lady who answered the phone told me the car was not located in Milwaukee, but rather just outside of Dallas, Texas. She explained that her company (Camelot) was consigning the car for an elderly gentleman who was liquidating his entire collection. Previously, she facilitated the transport of his other vehicles, including several Excaliburs, a Maserati and a stunning early 60's Caddy.

Their web-site displayed about twelve pics of the car and gave a brief history of the Clenet Coachworks company. What I didn't believe was that the car had a mere 1,427 miles on the odometer or never driven by the owner.

I gave her my contact info and asked for the owner to contact me. About two days later I received a call at my office from Texas, I immediately knew it was the owner of this Clenet. We had a 45-minute conversation and just as we were about to hang up, he wanted to fax the original title and bill of sale to me. Of course I said yes...and within minutes the pages appeared on my computer. Again, I couldn't forward those documents to my brother fast enough...who called me immediately and exclaimed that we needed to buy this car.

I phoned the seller and told him that I needed to see the car and how soon could I fly down to the Dallas area. I was on the Orbitz web-site making reservations while confirming the date we could meet at his estate. Nine days later on May 29th, my flight for Dallas departed Chicago. I would spend that evening at the Super 8 hotel near DFW on the outskirts of Dallas.

Early Friday morning I got into my rental PT Cruiser and drove 130+ miles eastward to finally see the car at his home. He met me at the front of his one-thousand acre estate and took me to a series of out-buildings where the family business had been run over forty years. What an interesting man. My mind kept saying "take me to the car," but my heart told me to be patient and let him show his life-long passion. After an hour passed, we finally drove up to the house where his stable of cars once resided.

There it was, Clenet number 229 of 250 seeming a bit lonely in a building that once housed at least five other cars. Memories hung on the walls where his other trophies of success were once proudly displayed. The car never moved from that spot after being transported from the selling dealer in Dallas since the Spring of 1989. He said they hadn't started it in over six years and it obviously needed some freshening and a battery. He put his best men to the task as I said, "hey, let's see if we can get her running." John with his son Paul and I jumped to action, somewhat like a pit-crew; Paul found fresh gasoline on the estate while John drove away to purchase a new battery.

I was now alone with the car. Seeing is believing and from what I observed, yes...this car traveled just 1,427 miles its whole life! What a shame that he never truly enjoyed this vehicle from behind the wheel.

I took in the immaculate red leather interior with grey lambswool carpets and burl wood accents. This car reminded me of how a Rolls Royce smells! I raised the trunk lid and found the same luxurious wool carpets. "Is this for real and what's the catch" kept running through my mind. I'm alone, my brother Mario could not join me on this expedition. We agreed that I had ultimate authority to back out of the purchase if the car didn't meet my expectations. I'm questioning myself...am I making the right decision? If I back out, will he be angry?

This car had not seen the light of day since 1989. The exterior wood accents are perfect. The paint has one minor stone chip. The exterior chrome and stainless trim are slightly discolored from the Texas humidity. I know it will come back to its full potential with chrome polish and lots of elbow grease. Then we raised the hood and there it was...an engine that hadn't been run in years. Oh my...what now...

I pulled the dipstick and noted full oil, slightly discolored. The radiator was half-full so we chose to top it off with just water. John returned with the fresh battery and we installed it. The car came to life with the ignition buzzer sounding and all of the lights were functioning. We pulled the distributor wire and turned the key. Hail Mary...the car turned over and sounded like any other Ford V8 from the 70's! We chose to turn it over for a few seconds at a time. After several tries, we decided to prime the carb and give it a go...it started and ran for all of 6 seconds. The small amount of gasoline quickly burned out and we added more. Again, Paul added a bit more gasoline and I turned the key...it restarted. We repeated this process several times without any knocks, clangs, pings or chatter. Just a solid rumble and a gasping carburetor wanting more fuel.

It wants to live...
rz

29 years in the making...

My twin brother Mario and I turned 16 in the Fall of 1979. About a year earlier as we had begun our Driver's Ed program at our Suburban Chicago High School, our Aunt Arlene purchased a magazine titled "Elite Cars" for us to read while visiting her. The magazine featured the likes of Rolls Royce, Aston Martins through Mercedes and Avanti. One car featured was the newly introduced Clenet Series I. We were both immediately drawn to that car! We would soon be driving and the cars we wanted spanned from Mustangs to the Mark V! The Clenet stuck with me ever since reading that magazine.

To this day, I have no idea why that Clenet has stuck with me. The other Neo-Classic vehicle of the era was the Excalibur, however for some reason, the Excalibur just didn't do it for us! There was something about the Clenet...that long hood, its low profile or perhaps the original prototype being built on a Lincoln chassis. We immediately recognized the Lincoln grill shell and the MG Midget cowl, however we saw the Clenet as a whole car...graceful in our eyes.

Fast forward to late May, 2008. I'm at home in Chicago catching up with some friends while on-line when my brother sends an e-mail to me. I open the message and I see a white Clenet (or what appeared to be a Clenet) for sale with just four words contained in his note: "Should we buy this?" I opened the ad and saw that the vehicle was a 1981. Knowing that the Series I production ended in 1979, I knew that the car depicted was not a Clenet...but perhaps a Corsair or other similar knock-off. It was listed in the upper $20's which kept my interest. For a week, I studied the ad, the pics and even called the seller to inquire, however it wasn't a Clenet and I wouldn't give up that easily.

While at his home is S.W. Michigan over a weekend, we discussed buying a Clenet and agreed that we'd somehow make it happen. Search after search on Google took us to a few later model Clenet's for sale, however we were adamant about finding a Series I. We found many that have sold over the past 24 months, however of the 249 Series I cars made, none were officially for sale. I started contacting the known dealers of Neo-Classic and Special Interest vehicles, all replied that none were available.

We agreed to give it a rest and would wait for one to come on the market. That next Monday as I returned to my home and job in Chicago, I sat at my laptop and put Google to task. I entered many combinations and phrases with the hopes of finding fresh pages and web-sites that might have a Clenet Series I for sale.

BINGO... Who knew that by entering the words "Consignment" and "Clenet" into the search engine would find the car of my dreams? There it was...waiting for someone to give it a new home! My heart was racing...I had to call my brother to tell him that I just found "the car" for us. I couldn't dial the phone fast enough...

More to come...
Ron Zarantenello