1968 Ribaut (France) - AllCarIndex

The Ribaut car, conceived by Jean-Claude Ribaut, began as a dream during his service in Algeria from 1956 to 1958. While stationed far from his home and family, Ribaut dedicated his downtime to sketching car designs while his peers engaged in more casual pastimes. Upon returning to civilian life, he committed himself to the realization of this dream with unwavering focus, living a minimalist lifestyle for two and a half years while immersed in his automotive project.

In 1963, Ribaut embarked on the construction of the Ribaut car's multitubular chassis, a task he described as a significant undertaking. He integrated mechanical components from a Renault 8 and conducted the initial test runs in March 1964, using a rudimentary setup in his village. The project advanced to its most challenging phase: crafting the laminate bodywork.

Ribaut meticulously created plaster molds for the body panels, a process that extended over the course of a year. These molds were then used to form the polyester bodywork, requiring extensive effort during his spare time. The final product was a car with impressive road-holding capabilities, largely due to its centrally positioned rear engine, reminiscent of single-seater designs.

In January 1965, Ribaut successfully navigated the car through regulatory approvals with the Mines Department. He enjoyed several years of driving the car before a trivial collision in 1969 resulted in a devastating fire that destroyed the vehicle. That same year, Ribaut planned to produce replicas of the iconic Ford GT40, having already created molds for its body parts. However, a fire at the factory housing these molds led to the loss of his new venture. Confronted by repeated misfortune, Ribaut shifted his focus from automobiles to model trains.