A 1950 Renault 4CV Roadster featuring custom coachwork by Belgian coachbuilder Legros is currently on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, providing visitors with insight into a distinctive era of automotive history where mass-produced vehicles served as canvases for artistic expression. Originally introduced in 1947 as France's first post-war economy car and the first French automobile to surpass one million units sold, this particular Renault 4CV represents a significant departure from the standard saloons typically associated with the model.
The Legros-bodied roadster showcases hand-formed steel body panels, dual side mirrors, a shortened windscreen, louvered deck lid, and elegant driving lamps, all finished in a rich blue paint that highlights its European design flair. Inside, the minimalist cockpit features a two-spoke ivory steering wheel and a Jaeger instrument cluster containing a 120-km/h speedometer, coolant and oil temperature gauges, fuel level indicator, and battery charge meter. The five-digit odometer displays only 38,000 kilometers (approximately 24,000 miles), indicating the vehicle's exceptional preservation and rarity.
Power is supplied by a replacement 845cc Ventoux inline-four engine paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, preserving the car's original character as an accessible and agile runabout while adding unique coachbuilt appeal. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, stated, "This Legros-bodied 4CV roadster is a brilliant reminder that even the most humble platforms can become rolling art when placed in the hands of a talented coachbuilder. It's one of those cars that makes you stop, smile, and ask—'Wait, what is that?'"
The vehicle is part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, which houses over 200 cars and 3,000 toys and collectibles. The museum recently relocated to a new 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth at 2550 McMillan Parkway, offering free parking and admission. Visitors can find more information about the museum's hours and offerings at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The display of this rare coachbuilt Renault illustrates how post-war European automotive culture embraced customization and artistry, transforming utilitarian vehicles into unique expressions of design and craftsmanship that continue to captivate enthusiasts today.
This exhibition matters because it demonstrates how economic constraints in post-war Europe led to innovative design solutions, where coachbuilders like Legros transformed mass-produced economy cars into personalized works of art. For Texas businesses and economic development observers, the museum's acquisition and display of such vehicles highlights the growing cultural and economic significance of automotive heritage preservation in the state. The DFW Car & Toy Museum's expansion to a 150,000-square-foot facility represents substantial investment in North Texas's cultural infrastructure, potentially attracting tourism and supporting local businesses through increased visitor traffic.
The presence of this rare vehicle in Texas underscores the state's emerging role as a hub for automotive preservation and education, connecting local communities with global automotive history. For the automotive industry, this display serves as a reminder of craftsmanship traditions that predate modern mass production, offering inspiration for contemporary designers seeking to balance functionality with artistic expression. The vehicle's exceptional preservation at just 38,000 kilometers demonstrates the lasting value of quality craftsmanship and careful maintenance, principles that resonate across manufacturing sectors in Texas today.
