Majorette Renault Express and Road Champs Chrysler Lebaron convertible

Here are a couple of unique 1980’s models that have some nice features to go along with their distinctive look.

Majorette Renault Express

What if you took the idea of taking the compact Renault 5 and making it useable for delivery duty? You get the Renault Express, a tall car-based wagon designed to haul packages in the tightest areas of Europe’s old-world cities. My example comes with the nice Avis logo on red paint and looks pretty good with a thick casting made with metal on metal, featuring clear square headlights, metal grille and bumper form the base, and Renault on the grille all borrowed from the Renault 5, but then changes on the sides where the longer wheelbase adopts a roof that rises to the taller panel sides ending at the rear with split panel doors (in plastic) and detailed taillights and more Renault and Express badging. The doors open to a spacious cargo area rivaling other vans from Majorette, though I wish the doors would remain shut as they tend to fly open when moving. The interior has a similar layout to the 5 with two seats, floor shifter, and simple dashboard layout. The engine is a 1.1L I-4 that produces 45 horsepower through a 4-speed manual is not enough power but at least the handing is decent even with the heavier weight and taller profile. A very pleasantly done casting from Majorette with lots of nice details and versatility.

Specifications:

Engine: 1.1L OHV I-4 45 hp.
Transmission: 4-speed manual
0-60 mph: 18.0 sec. est.
Real vehicle price: $8,000 est.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Road Champs Chrysler Lebaron convertible

And now for something completely different, a droptop from Road Champs that has a removable top, but on a front-wheel drive Chrysler? Interesting. This and the Buick Riviera represent two unlikely choices for convertibles in diecast, yet both are nicely done with metal on metal and opening parts during the prime of Road Champs in the 1980’s. This Lebaron was introduced in 1982 on the new Chrysler K-car platform with front-wheel drive, smaller size, and abundance of fake wood trim to retrospect the 1948 Town and Country convertibles (and not in a good way). Still this convertible, along with the rest of the K-car line, save Chrysler and was popular with consumers. For starters something is clearly wrong with this model and it has to do with the length of the hood: Road Champs decided to use a Mustang rear-wheel drive layout as a template for all models, hence this is why the front-wheel drive Lebaron and Riviera have such long hoods. Aside from that negative the casting looks good with metal on metal construction, opening front doors, and a removable top. The black with Lebaron on the hood is nice and simple, reinforced with additional lighting and trim detailing, and very familiar Hot Wheels-looking wheels. The front quad headlights are part of the metal base, yet the chrome grille is a separate piece by itself, while the sides show a rather tall ride stance with detailed corner lights that illuminate when the turn signal is activated. The rear has horizontal taillights with reverse lamps mounted above, while the metal base has the incorrect rear-wheel drive layout on a front-wheel drive car. The roof comes off to show off the interior with seating for four and a simple dashboard layout that could use some more details. Another negative about this casting mounts on the consequences of no roof and opening front doors: the banana bend effect of the body. Thankfully my Lebaron does not have this example but I have seen this on a Road Champs Mustang casting from the same series. The engine 2.5L SOHC I-4 and hooked to a 3-speed automatic is not very sporty, nor is the handling, but then again this Lebaron is designed as more of a cruiser than a track handler. A very distinct casting that could use some corrections on the layout, dashboard detailing, and some body reinforcements.