1961 Renault Gordini Dauphine

This rather special Renault Dauphine is a Gordini model dating from 1961. The Gordini was a performance variant with an original 37bhp output and various other upgrades. It appears that this fascinating car was used overseas until around 2015 when it appears to have been imported to the UK being first registered with the DVLA in August of that year.

At some point between then and now this charming little Renault has undergone quite the professional transmogrification. This significant upgrading would have made Pierre-André Lefaucheux’s eyes widen somewhat. A Renault 5 Turbo engine has been very expertly fitted, and the car has been subtly lowered. A nice looking set of Renault Alpine A110 alloy wheels have been fitted. These changes are thought to have taken the car’s power output from the late 30’s to over 110bhp. Other costly associated upgrades include the fitting of a Steve Swan 5-speed gearbox and custom remote gear linkage. Scotland based Swan is a revered name in classic Renault circles and his hand built gearboxes regularly are sold for over £2,000 alone. 

Current owner, Eddie, who has used this car regularly for shows, events or just to generally get the blood pumping, describes this thrilling Dauphine as “a real sleeper, looking ostensibly standard other than a bit lower with bigger wheels. It’s a superb, quick, attention grabbing, fun car!” Who wouldn’t want that?

The Fernand Picard design of the Dauphine, like all good design work, has actually aged very well. It boasts one of those intriguing “push me / pull you” profiles that initially makes it hard to discern which way it is facing from afar. This upgraded Gordini features a great looking ivory (DVLA call it “beige”) livery which could conceivably be original but more likely an earlier respray. Part of the obvious charm of the Dauphine is its “face.” Viewing it from ahead is enough to make the pareidolia kick in and a friendly, slightly non-plussed, looking face seems to materialise.

Viewing the car from the rear soon reveals this to be a rear engined conveyance. Big shark gill style cooling vents are situated either side of the number plate which work in conjunction with the front facing, chrome dressed items ahead of the rear wheels. Upon close inspection both paintwork and bodywork look pretty good considering this is a 64 year old car. Inevitably there are a few minor imperfections – a small dent on the nearside front wing and some thinning paint in places – that sort of thing.

The upgrades thoughtfully wrought on this French saloon seem to suit the car so well. A pair of red racing stripes have been applied along the length of the car. These start just above the front bumper and terminate above the rear numberplate. There are couple of other subtle race car touched noted, too. These include some well placed stickers and webbed tow straps both front and rear. Perhaps the most significant visual changes, however, are the A110 alloy wheels which combine perfectly with the Dauphine’s lower stance to imbue the car with significantly more purpose and gravitas. It’s a compelling aesthetic. 

The cabin of the also exhibits a fantastic blend of early 1960’s originality and subtle, well chosen upgrades. The most obvious manifestation of the latter are the “cuckoo-in-the-nest” front seats. These are of unconfirmed origins (although vendor Eddie suggests Rover 600) but appear both commodious and comfortable. They appear to be in great condition, too, and their blend of jazzy patterned fabric and red leather is undeniably jolly and, hence, in keeping with this Renault’s personality. What surprises most, however, is how well the front perches blend with the well stuffed, box pleated rear bench. Impressive. This combination makes the Dauphine a surprisingly practical car and clearly one that hit its original accommodation brief.

Perforated headlining, rubber mat bearing floors and red finished door cards all look impressively presented and ostensibly original looking. The dashboard is a ‘60’s typical painted metal affair featuring a large, oblong Jaeger combined instrument cluster. This kilometres per hour item also contains both integrated fuel and water temperature gauges (neither of which could be taken for granted in 1961) and an additional rev counter as well. The more contemporary additions here include the three spoke, alloy, leather rimmed steering wheel and four additional ancillary gauges. Anchorage points for race harnesses are also present.

Luggage space, such as it is, is catered for by a space in the car’s nose which is shared with an upgraded alloy fuel tank, brake servo, battery and the like. There is sufficient spare for a couple of squashy bags, however.

This section marks the end of references to “originality” (apart from this one), but in a very positive way. The Dauphine’s original 845cc “Ventoux” 37bhp unit and four speed manual gearbox have long gone. In place of the former is now a 1,397cc four cylinder turbocharged unit from a Renault 5 Turbo donor. This is no ordinary engine swap, either. It is accompanied by an intercooler, oil cooler, front mounted alloy radiator, custom alloy foam filled fuel tank, disc brakes all round and brake servo. That Steve Swan five speed custom gearbox combines with a remote linkage and drew much praise from our team for its delightful, short-throw changes. We are confident is saying that this is the most mechanically sophisticated Renault Dauphine that you will find available today. We have noted that the brakes do seem to lose pressure and need to be pumped up to operate properly. There is also the handy addition of a battery cut off switch under the dashboard.

Lifting the rear engine cover reveals an arrangement which looks factory conceived to all intents and purposes. Absolutely nothing here looks jerry-rigged, improvised or anything less than well thought through and highly professional. That 5 Turbo lump fits in here surprisingly neatly, too. The underside of the Renault looks very neat and tidy with Eddie suggesting that it has never been welded, and our photography seems to bear that out.

There is not too much to discuss here. The current V5 Registration Document in the name of the current owner is present. This classifies the Dauphine as an Historic Vehicle. As such this classic Renault is deemed MoT exempt and zero rated for road tax in the UK. Another eye-catching facet of the V5 is the car’s unladen weight which is stated as 650kg. If this and the assumed power output of 115bhp are accurate that gives this Dauphine a power to weight ratio of 176 bhp / tonne which is roughly the same as a MKVII Golf GTi.

Other documents include a hard copy MoT from 2018, and a document provided by the vendor which lists the key aspects and facets of this remarkable French saloon.

The Renault Dauphine was, of course, a pivotal model which helped moved Renault from a controversial post-war manufacturer of basic peoples’ cars into a respected market leader with an impressive breadth of models to suit almost all strata of French society. Today, however, even the 37 bhp of the tuned up Gordini model might limit the car’s appeal and utility on today’s roads. 

That, of course, is of no concern to this significantly souped up Dauphine. With around 115 turbo boosted horsepower on offer, keeping up with the traffic on the A45 is unlikely to be a primary concern. This is clearly no back street cut and shut job either. A quick look at the specification sheet and a poke around in the engine bay should tell you all you need to know. What a superb, one off, totally unique French classic this is. A deeply endearing and characterful 1960’s saloon that is sure to surprise and delight.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.