Something special for this #wagonwednsday - a #RenaultMedallion - aka the #Renault21.This is actually the second time this car has appeared here, but now I’ve been in it. I’ve actually met the owner a few times - Henry’s a great guy who really knows (and loves) #FrenchCars. He’s downsizing and wants you to know that this (for sale) car has been meticulously maintained to hit its 192K Miles. But you came here to hear about the car. - The Medallion was the first new product in a planned program of what would’ve been very nice new models - the Renault 25-based Premier was to follow, and originally so was the Alpine GTA. But that never happened as Renault’s US operations lost their best advocate when Georges Besse was assassinated by anarchists in November, 1986. In March of ’87, Renault sold AMC, which had been inching to profitability because of Besse, to Chrysler. - The Medallion was already on sale, and debuted to generally good reviews. It wasn’t fast but it was clean and very modern - and expected to do well against cars like the Mazda 626. Rumors of Renault’s departure and doubts about Renault’s build quality did not help. - The Medallion differed from the R21 in having different fascias hiding upgraded federalized bumper and just one engine, the 2.2L Douvrin four inherited from the 18i/Fuego in 5-spd or auto. Not fast, they were good handlers and the long wheelbase wagon - a 7P affair - was huge inside (“You can carry two washing machines, I’ve done it,” says Henry). - Renault’s agreement with Chrysler dictated that AMC’s new owner sell the Medallion for several years after the buyout, with the branding being changed to “Eagle” in mid-1988 as part of Chrysler’s way of incorporating former AMC/Jeep/Renault dealers. Neither Chrysler nor it’s dealers really liked selling a strange competitor from France - domestics had better margins and were easier to service - so it was a slow seller until Chrysler pulled the plug in late 1989. - Medallions, almost totally unsupported after around 1996/7 and not the most durable car to begin with (some small fixes can get you to 192K), are almost extinct now - so it’s a real treat to experience one (and you can too!). https://www.instagram.com/p/BoMOCmWlPng/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=73120zi0xe2v