• Renault Ondine

Renault Dauphine is a car model that was manufactured by Renault in Flins (Yvelines) from March 1956 until 1967.

The car was designed by Renault in 1950 to support the 4CV.

This car was the most sold in France in 1957 1961 and the first European car manufactured in Argentina. However, Renault experienced a failure when marketed in the United States too neglecting quality, after-sales service and availability of spare parts service.

This is a small 4-door sedan rear-engine which was named as the "Queen of Sales" was then the 4CV. The Dauphine was designed by the engineer Fernand Picard and designed with the help of Italian designer Ghia, including the integration of air in the rear doors. The spare wheel is located under a flap at the front.

Several versions of the series were produced Dauphine:

A Dauphine profile.

Front view.

Rear view.

The interior.

This is normal Dauphine (Mines R1090 type):

Renault uses Amédée Gordini to achieve a more powerful version. The "Wizard" then did a little preparation and the Dauphine Gordini was born (R1091-type) in 1957.

Power block to 37 SAEhp and top speed of 126km/h thanks to a new cylinder head, increased compression ratio and the use of a carburetor 32 mm spring of harder valve-inlet and exhaust ducts enlarged. The first changes made by Amédée Gordini (vertical output yoke) will however remain on the series model for cost reasons.

The four-speed gearbox shifts and the body is slightly lowered. The tires are of size 145×380 instead of the standard 135×380.

The engine will win three horses on the 1960 models. Dauphine Gordini appear to catalog the summer from 1957 to 1963 and reappear in 1965.

Florida is a derivative two-door based on the Dauphine Gordini.

For 1961 and 1962 models, there is a better version of presented (carpet, mat board black board, flying from Florida kind) named Ondine. Most improvements will then be integrated with other models. L’Ondine (R1090A-type) has a gearbox and four-speed front seats reclining.

Dauphine 1093 (R1093 type) is a sports derivative of the Dauphine that appears in late 1961.

The amendments focus on the engine. It receives piston head screw (compression ratio increased to 9.2), a double-barrel carburetor Solex 32-reversed ACAP 3, a special camshaft, valves and tubing double spring Autobleu admission and exhaust. Timing gears are strengthened and the clutch. With a power of 55hp SAE (49 DINhp), the car reaches 140km/h.

4th gear is modified with respect to the box Dauphine Gordini. The braking system, which is the original one, is improved by the addition of cooling fins on the periphery of the drum before. The suspension is the kind of Dauphine "bad roads" but with shorter without lowering the ride height springs. 1093 Dauphine is the only version with semi-automatic clutch Ferlec to have been marketed in France with a 12 volt electrical equipment similar to export versions instead of the original 6 volts.

Externally, 1093 differs from the Dauphine Gordini by its projectors large diameter (180 mm) taken from the U.S. version, his white body cream "réjane" decorated with two blue stripes stuck in the axis of the vehicle and its acronym 1093 the right rear and the right front fender.

Inside, an additional tachometer fits to the left of specific counter calibrated up to 180km/h.

Despite its sporty character for "everyman" 1093 "series" could not be competitive without being prepared. Preparation came down to change and polish the existing mechanical as the new sporting regulations in force in 1960 prohibited any increases displacement and changes of parts. Ferry held numerous Dauphine 1093 competition became "1093 improved ".

Only 2140 copies (plus 8 pre-production) were made in two series. The first 1,650 units for the purposes of registration in the race (minimum 1500 copies) and a second of 490 units (disc brakes and gray white "Valois") for customer satisfaction.

1093 is the most sought after of all the Dauphine. Today, it is estimated that 1093 big hundred survived half of which are still accessible.

In 1962, 1093 Dauphine is illustrated Rallye Tour de Corse. However, its late start and too modest changes have not led to a long sporting career. 1093 remains an attractive car that transitions between artisanal 1063 4CV and Gordini R8 that will revolutionize motorsport "tourism series."

1093 Dauphine winner Rallye Tour de Corse 1962.

A restored 1093 Dauphine.

For models 1964 and 1965, the Dauphine Gordini is replaced by the Dauphine Export (R1094 type) with the same finish with the normal 32hp engine and a gearbox with four synchronized gears. As the new normal Dauphine (R1094 type) it is equipped with four disc brakes R8. From the models 1966 Dauphine Gordini Type R1095 is the only Dauphine to subsist until the abolition of the series in late 1967. Gordini name no longer appears on the body.

This model, presented May 22, 1957 was sold until 1966. Beetle It had to compete in the North American soil. To match U.S. standards, larger headlights were mounted and bars additional bumper (arrangement we find in 1093) To attract customers, chrome parts had been added (around windshield and rear, aerator door grille), tire sidewalls entirely white, special rear logo "Renault Dauphine", sunroof, red leatherette seats, automatic clutch Ferlec, heating SOFICA, rectangular flashing lights, dashboard miles and more powerful electrical installation. This model, with a particularly neat finish seemed to show superior performance. A number of these cars were "repatriated" unsold victims of antitrust law prohibited to sell Renault Peugeot stores. They were cleared in France in 1961, after returning to French standards dashboard. There was this market only 4 colors:

and 3 trim levels:

A Dauphine Export USA.

The Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo factory licensed Dauphine and markets from 1959. The Dauphine assembled near Naples have electrical (Magneti Marelli) 12 Volts, special lights and "Dauphine Alfa Romeo" or "Ondine Alfa Romeo" logo.

These are the 125,912 Dauphines built in Spain by FASA-Renault since 1959.

Dauphine also provide the basis for an attempt electric car, designed in partnership with Linus Pauling. It will fail, because of the low battery power lead/weight ratio.

La Dauphine is in the 1950s, 1960s and even the 1970s, one of the most used in competition cars. It has enabled great drivers to be known as Larrousse example. Of course, the car is family, but thanks to some preparers, it could be competitive in the race.

Pierre Ferry is an engineer with a passion for motor sport that is already running in 4CV at the time. With the arrival of the Dauphine Gordini, it changes frame and the opportunity to make some changes:

These changes allow the Dauphine to reach a speed of 145km/h instead of 126km/h of the Gordini.

Ferry even built for the Dauphine engine 1000cc based on the original engine. The new power of about 80hp allowed to reach 180km/h. He also designed many pieces as oil sumps or camshafts.

In 2008, the company still carries Ferry Development auto preparations for the competition.

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