Highlights
- Rare Rhodes Industrie recovery truck conversion; the manufacturer has since closed and few examples remain
- Two former registered keepers with documented provenance
- Hydraulic circuit overhauled during current ownership
- Matching serial numbers noted
The Appeal
The Peugeot J7 is among the most recognisable French commercial vehicles of its era, and this Rhodes Industrie-converted recovery truck, or porte voiture, represents a particularly rare and purposeful variant. With Rhodes Industrie now closed, surviving examples of these bespoke car transporters are increasingly scarce, lending this 1973 example genuine rarity.
This J7 has had just two former registered keepers, the first being a BMW garage in the Drôme department of southern France, where it served as a professional recovery vehicle. Vehicle history documentation is reportedly available, and the vendor notes the vehicle has always been stored in dry conditions. The vendor reports that the engine is robust and that the vehicle drives well both empty and loaded. Cosmetically, the bodywork shows small rust spots on both side panels and the paint has faded with age, so some attention would be worthwhile. The interior retains its original patina, while the front seats have been replaced with more comfortable items. For anyone seeking a period-correct transporter for classic cars, or simply a distinctive and usable piece of French commercial vehicle history, this example warrants serious consideration.
Key Information
- Mileage: 61,000 km (indicated)
- Country of registration: France
- Technical inspection: valid until January 2026
- Technical specs: 2.3-litre engine, four-speed manual
- Paperwork: vehicle history reportedly available; French carte grise; matching serial numbers confirmed
The Detail
- Hydraulic circuit overhauled by the current owner
- One steering ball joint is reported to be in poor condition
- Braking described by the vendor as functional but not great
- The vendor states the engine requires only cleaning and regular maintenance
- Small rust spots present on both right and left side panels; bodywork treatment recommended
- Paint has faded with age; cosmetic refurbishment would be beneficial
- Interior retains its original patina with age-commensurate wear
- Front seats are non-original but reported to be in very good condition
- Always stored in dry conditions, we are told
BEFORE YOU BUY
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