The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, is currently displaying a rare 1950 Renault 4CV Roadster featuring custom coachwork by Belgian coachbuilder Legros, demonstrating how even mass-produced economy cars can be transformed into unique automotive art. 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 4CV represents a significant departure from the standard production models most people recognize.
This Legros-bodied roadster features 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 accentuates its European design sensibility. The vehicle's compact dimensions and custom details create a striking contrast to the utilitarian saloons typically associated with the 4CV nameplate, illustrating the creative possibilities of coachbuilding even on accessible automotive platforms.
Inside the cabin, a minimalist two-spoke ivory steering wheel fronts a Jaeger instrument cluster containing a 120-km/h speedometer along with gauges monitoring coolant and oil temperature, fuel level, and battery charge. The five-digit odometer shows just 38,000 kilometers (approximately 24,000 miles), indicating both the vehicle's rarity and exceptional preservation over seven decades.
Mechanically, the roadster remains true to its origins with a replacement 845cc Ventoux inline-four engine paired with a four-speed manual transaxle, maintaining the 4CV's reputation as an agile and accessible runabout while adding distinctive coachbuilt character. "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," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It's one of those cars that makes you stop, smile, and ask—'Wait, what is that?'"
The vehicle is now part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, which houses over 200 cars alongside 3,000 toys and collectibles. The museum's new 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth offers free parking and admission, with hours Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors can find more information at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com, while automotive enthusiasts worldwide continue to reference the museum's previous website at https://dfwelitetoymuseum.com for historical context.
This exhibition matters because it preserves and showcases a unique chapter in automotive history where coachbuilders transformed mass-produced vehicles into bespoke creations, highlighting craftsmanship that has largely disappeared from modern automotive manufacturing. The display offers visitors insight into post-war European automotive design and the creative possibilities that existed before standardized production completely dominated the industry, serving as an educational resource for understanding automotive evolution and the artistic dimension of vehicle customization.
