LOT 463

1980 Clénet 2+2 Cabriolet 'Duesey' Registration no. JUX 803V Chassis no. CLE802064

Sold for £19,550 inc. premium

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Lot 463

1980 Clénet 2+2 Cabriolet 'Duesey'

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|6 September 2025, 13:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1980 Clénet 2+2 Cabriolet 'Duesey'
Registration no. JUX 803V
Chassis no. CLE802064

• Previously registered/used overseas
• First UK registered in 2020
• 5.0-litre V8 engine
• 24,305 miles recorded at last MoT (January 2025)

"This hand-built touring car launched the 'neoclassic' look that was popular in the US. These were cars styled with a 1930s look, but were not a replica of any specific car." - The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile, Volume 1.

Mainly active during the 1970s and '80s, Clénet Coachworks, Inc started life in a production facility in Santa Barbara County, California, where each limited-production model was conceived, designed, and produced by a small team. Despite their retro styling, Clénets used modern drive trains and suspension systems. In 1980 the company relocated to more suitable premises in Goleta, California where manufacture of the Series II models continued until the company ran into financial difficulties and ceased production in 1982.

By 1984, Alfred J DiMora had purchased the assets and name of Clénet Coachworks, Inc. He restarted production in Carpinteria, California to the same standards as before, employing many of the craftsmen from the first Clénet company. Clénet customers included singer/songwriter Julio Iglesias, television producer Dan Enright, film/TV producer Aaron Spelling, actress Farrah Fawcett, pop star Rod Stewart, boxer Ken Norton, actor Sylvester Stallone, entertainer Wayne Newton, and King Hussein of Jordan. Clénet automobiles have also featured in Hollywood movies and the popular US TV drama series, Dynasty. In 1986 DiMora's Clénet was selected as the 'Official Centennial Car' when President Ronald Reagan declared it the 'Centennial Year of the Gasoline-Powered Automobile', resulting in honours for both DiMora and Clénet at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Michigan. It is estimated that a little over 500 Clénets were produced.

Registered as a 'Duesey 1980', this Clénet 2+2 Cabriolet comes with a V5C Registration Certificate stating that it was registered/used overseas. The car was first registered in the UK on 4th August 2020 and the V5C lists the engine capacity as 5,000cc. The car also comes with an HMR&C NOVA letter, one expired MoT certificate and another valid until 7th January 2026.

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