DAUPH’STOCK

This website devoted to french association of Renault Dauphine owners including Dauphine, Ondine, Gordini, Floride, 1093, Dauphinoise and other Renaults derived from the 670 motor.
Discover our web site in French…

(english version coming soon !)

Historique rapide…

On March 6, 1956, twenty thousand people attended the presentation of the new Renault Dauphine at the Palais de Chaillot. An evolution of the 4CV, it adopted the same architecture, with a rear-mounted four-cylinder engine, in a more spacious body than its predecessor. Renault was very proud of its latest creation, destined to become the brand’s flagship model. Regarding the bodywork, the catalog stated, “The body shell was designed as a coherent unit, pleasing to both mind and eye, whose aerodynamic perfection renders it practically impervious to crosswinds. ” The Dauphine featured an 845cc engine that produced 30 hp at 4,500 rpm, a 3-speed gearbox, hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels, and independent suspension on all four wheels. All this resulted in a featherweight 620 kg. Upon its launch, the Dauphine enjoyed immense commercial success and, by 1957, accounted for two-thirds of the 270,000 cars built by Renault. From its inception, the Dauphine also demonstrated a strong aptitude for competition. As early as April 1956, four Dauphines took the top four places in their class at the Mille Miglia. The little Renault’s list of achievements includes the Liège-Rome-Liège, the Tour de France Automobile, the Monte Carlo Rally, and the Tour de Corse. To reinforce this sporting image, Renault secured the collaboration of Amédée Gordini and presented the Dauphine Gordini, the now-famous 1093, at the 1957 Paris Motor Show. This true powerhouse retained the 845cc engine which, with a redesigned cylinder head featuring inclined valves, produced 37 hp. With the 4-speed gearbox, the 1093 reached 125 km/h, but it cost 674,000 francs compared to 554,000 francs for the standard Dauphine. With this weapon in its arsenal, many enthusiasts took over from the factory (see the Prototypes section of the website), and the Dauphine won countless races of varying importance. Produced in various versions (Standard, Ondine, Export, Gordini, etc.), the Dauphine remained in the Renault catalog until December 1967