Miguel Sánchez
With the excuse of this new video produced by PetroliciousToday at La Escudería we are going to commemorate the Renault 8 Gordini: one of the most appreciated popular classics. Perhaps because of the unexpectedness of his behavior. Maybe because of its rear engine. Or simply because of the charm of its blue color, distinctive of French sports cars, and its two white strips, distinctive of Gordini preparations.
In this case we are going to see a perfectly tuned unit. Proof of this is the way it behaves around the curves of a mountain road in the south of France. Although not only to enjoy your driving this car has been restored; its owner, Anthony, treasures childhood memories and the legacy of a prematurely dead father. We have said it before: a classic it is history and memory.
Take a look at the video and get used to the idea ...
RENAULT AND GORDINI: A SPORTS RELATIONSHIP
1957 was not a good year for Amadeo Gordini. After 11 years resisting in the highest competition - his cars made it to F1 - this Italian-Frenchman was on the verge of having to close down his car development company. In spite of having made a hole with the blow of record -especially in endurance races- the accounts did not add up. It seemed that the blue of their cars was never going to cross the tracks again, when at that ... Renault arrived.
The French manufacturer hired Gordini in 1958. His mission was 'simple': breathe life into the sports department that from now on would be officially called Gordini. Dio quickly hit the spot by successfully empowering the little Renault Dauphine; and until 1977, he prepared units of the Renault Dauphine, 5, 8, 12 and 17.
Although it was later overshadowed by the excellent collaboration with Alpine, or the founding of Renault Sport in the '70s, Gordini left such a good taste in the mouth that the French brand has recently resurrected its banner. However ... they have a very high cleverness. Models like this Renault 8 Gordini left a lot of mark.
RENAULT 8 GORDINI. A FOUR DOORS THAT CAME OUT ANSWER
Replacing the Dauphine, the renault 8 appeared in 1962 as a family car, comfortable, simple and reliable. The typical mid-range family model, equipped with robust mechanics and low fuel consumption. However ... there was something in that model that made it be something "responsive".
Its rear engine -powered in 1964 by offering it in the S 1108 cc versions- and its behavior, made many young drivers pay attention to it. In Spain the TS came out in imitation of the French S, and the Renault 8 TS Cup was created; We immediately began to see Renault 8 units prepared for the competition.
Despite its popular and family vocation, the Renault 8 excelled in racing. For this reason, it was inevitable that in 1964 Renault would launch a version developed by Gordini. From the 60 HP of the S, this model went to 96CV and, in the 1966 version, to 103CV. If we compare the performance of the Gordini with that of the base model launched in 1964, it almost doubles the power.
The model was a real success because, although you can drive it calmly like a saloon, at the same time it was an ideal car for many drivers to get started in sports driving thanks to its power and character when cornering. It was a sports car under a civilized appearance, making Renault reign in this segment with a Gordini that could cope "face to face" with competitors with a much higher price.and BMW 1800 TI. In production from 1966 to 1970, its two versions created the memory of one of the most beloved Renault sports cars.
ANTHONY'S “FAMILY RELIC”
We have loved the story of this driver, because it is precisely in it those two qualities of the Renault 8 Gordini that we talked about before: family and sporty. Familiar because this car is linked to Anthony's memories since he was a child, when his father took him to school every morning in the car surrounded by the characteristic sound of his engine. And sporty because, now that it has been restored, it has brought out all that sportiness in curves.
It is a 8 R1967 Gordini. This was the property of the father, who was passionate about mechanics and the model, who died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 32. For 15 years, the car was kept in the garage as a souvenir; as a "family heirloom" that spoke of the passion of the deceased. As the car languished, Anthony grew up and learned mechanics, until he decided to restore it. By the way, substituting the original red color for the classic Gordini blue, lined with the two white stripes on the driver's side.
As you may have heard before in the Petrolicious video, the roar of the engine is awesome. Not to mention what it has to be like to take the curves with this Renault that, although thought to be a four-seater station wagon, came out sporty and responsive.
