Renault 

The Renault 8 was introduced in June 1962 as the successor to the Dauphine, sharing its basic rear-engined architecture and wheelbase. Styled at short notice by Philippe Charbonneaux, the R8 adopted a more angular, modern shape while retaining compact dimensions. Although slightly narrower than the Dauphine, it offered improved comfort thanks to substantially wider and better-cushioned front seats. Power came from the newly developed 956 cc engine, producing 44 hp. A major technical distinction was the adoption of four-wheel disc brakes, an advanced feature for a small family saloon at the time. In 1964 the range expanded with the 8 Major, fitted with a 1,108 cc engine producing 50 hp. That same year saw the arrival of the high-performance Renault 8 Gordini, using a tuned 1,108 cc engine delivering 90 hp. The Gordini was initially offered exclusively in blue with twin white stripes and featured larger headlamps, underlining its sporting character.

1962

In 1967, the Renault 8 Gordini was comprehensively updated. It gained a revised front end with four headlights, and its engine capacity increased to 1,255 cc, now producing 100 hp. The cross-flow cylinder head design was retained, along with twin dual-choke Weber carburettors, preserving the model’s strong competition pedigree. A broader revision followed in 1969, when both the Renault 8 and the related Renault 10 were updated. Elements of the Renault 10’s design were incorporated into the R8, resulting in a new 8 Major that replaced the basic version. At the same time Renault introduced the 8S, a sportier intermediate model powered by a 1,108 cc engine producing 60 hp. The 8S adopted the twin-headlight front treatment of the Gordini, though its inner lamps functioned as high-beam units only. 

1967

1969

1970