The 1st pic is an Alpine spec, one of the first European hot hatches. Twice as powerful as the base model and quite quick for 1976. Not as furious as the Turbo though.

Renault 8 Gordini. The regular version was an ugly redesign of the loathed Dauphine, with questionable handling, cramped interior and pig-like design. The Gordini, on the other hand, was a furious, joyful and uncompromising piece of machinery that spawned a whole generation of French racing drivers.

I beg to differ. The regular 5 wasn't a bad car at all, Renault sold a gazillion of them for 14 years, nearly sinking their competitor Peugeot in the process before they got their act together with the 205. That's just like saying that the 205 GTI would be the least bad of the range.

Mazda 5, a neat, inexpensive, compact and reasonably road-hugging six-people hauler. Too bad the aesthetics of the current gen are a bit blah and the Skyactiv engines didn't make it yet there. But still an excellent choice IMHO.

Renault 18 American 2. Bonus for garish 1984-era Photoshop

Renault Clio IV Estate 0,9 TCE. 898 cc, 3-cylinder gas, turbo, 54+ MPG (US) combined. The perfect Yurpean city/small family car.

Christian Clavier's character actually says "Too bad I don't have comprehensive coverage". BXes are pretty tough cars mechanically (I used to drive one). They're also very comfortable and light thanks to extensive use of plastic (and their flimsy body panels, sigh). Early 90s turbo diesels even had a 900 mile range,…

Clio Williams. Bonus for stock wheels.

Presidential limo driver. You drive one of the most famous and high tech vehicles on always cleared roads, in dozens of different countries/states, and enjoy the safety of an armored tank. Downside can be a situation like this one.

For its ability to withstand 35+ years of egregious abuse, the no-nonsense, sturdy and trustworthy Peugeot 504 (not the US version - shameless plug) belongs here.

Africa = Peugeot. Now you need a high clearance 8 seater with a lion on it. Problem solved: I give you the 504 Dangel 4x4 station wagon.

ü-no-d'yerr - you don't pronounce the "h" nor the "es" #derien

Citroën is fine here as obviously uttered by a native, but you won't be able to rent a Renault or a Peugeot in France with such lame pronunciations.

Sunbeam Lotus. RWD, 150 bhp stock, unrefined chassis and scary handling (or so I've read).

Dacia Lodgy 1.6 gasoline engine. 2,948 pounds, 85 hp. Believe it or not, there's a long waiting list for this (very cheap by Yurpean standards) car.

Renault Goëlette 4x4, type R2087. Simple, nimble, suitable for daily use, rock solid once the rust issues have been sorted. Great looks IMHO

Indeed, took effect in Sept '72 for the '73 model year.

And the 5 mph bumpers, too!

I'm quite sure they don't have 1st gen Renault Twingos in Oz

Because everyone in my family got one since the late 60s. I don't care that it has the worst reputation,  I got it for a bag of peanuts and it's a great car to me. Plus it's French, b!tch.