The Renault 8 of FASA, more car

The Renault 8 it followed the tradition: rear engine, 4 doors and 4 or 5 seats, all this without neglecting economy, performance and a certain style, so that the new Renault, the Renault 8, could be a successful car with a very wide spectrum, as well it was.

Its world presentation, held in our country, in La Berzosa, took place in June 1962, offering a 4-door with outstanding performance and with refinements typical of higher-order cars, such as its 4 disc brakes, to which was added its engine with a five-prop shaft from the Floride S and Caravelle just presented at the Geneva Motor Show. of 1962 (1).

Your date of birth made him contemporary with cars like the BMW 1500, the simca 1000, the Facel Vega F II, the Triumph TR 4, the Morris and Austin Mini Cooper, the Ferrari GTO, the Studebaker Avanti, the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the Ford 12M, the Ford Cortina or the Opel Kadett.

From the beginning the Renault 8 an agile ride, a remarkable climbing ability, complemented by excellent brakes and a remarkable stability, oversteering, to which was added a line, all of edges, described as elegant.

The specialized critic welcomed him with applause (2), as in the case of L'Automobile, where it was defined as “A perfect example of the improvement of experienced solutions, analogous to those of the Dauphine, with respect to which it is placed in a superior category thanks to its new larger displacement engine, its new-line bodywork and its 4 disc brakes, which are a important safety factor "...

And something unprecedented in cars of its category.

The Renault 8 from FASA, our R 8

It was only a matter of time that their presence was demanded in our country, because a market like ours wanted something more and more modern than the Ondine and Gordini that had been sold since the summer of 62 and December 1961, and that something more and better was the Renault 8, Some rare units had already reached our market, sold at a higher price than a Seat 1500, except in our free ports: the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, Sahara and Guinea, the only places in Spain where imports were free until 1980.

Our R 8 It was officially presented in November 1965, on the 16th, with the assistance of the President of Renault and the Ministers of Industry and the Development Plan, who were displaced to Valladolid, (3). This happened just when Fasa began its exports by sending R 4 vans to Colombia, and the R 8 went on sale in December, with a one-year waiting list.

Such was the case in a market where you could only buy -with delays, without choosing a color and without the option of extras- a Seat 600D, 800 or 1500, a Citroen 2 hp, a Dodge Dart, a Goggomobil, a Renault 4, an Alpine, an Ondine or a Gordini, the only offers then for a fleet of 2.322.268 vehicles (4), in which 1.124.436. 784.135 motorcycles were more than the 5 automobiles, of which the imported ones did not reach XNUMX% of the total, diesel not exceeding 2%.

Spanish specialized critics dealt with our R 8, which differed from the French by offering only front disc brakes and enjoyed a 4-speed synchronized gearbox. Speed (5) rated his engine and its brakes, with remarkable stability, suspension, steering, visibility and light, with an approved comfort and with a suspense to its finish.

More specifically, they criticized its gasoline filler tube next to the engine, 28 cm from the delco, its oblique driving position with the clutch too far to the right, its sensitivity to crosswind or the discomfort of its lever in gear position. back, considering this post that "It walks too much and is more stable in curves than in straights."

They also defined it as pretty, especially from behind, with sober and cubic lines; their seats found them unusually comfortable, its easy and precise shifting, and its smooth steering, making it very maneuverable; They found its air conditioning good, evaluating its aerators in the frame, and, of course, they indicated its brakes as very safe.

In that same magazine they measured the 400 m from standing in 23 seconds and the km in 43. Their luggage capacity was evaluated at 240 l, to which they added 60 after the back seat. Regarding to your consumption, They put it at 6,6 liters per 100 km at 90 km / h and 9,2 at 120 km / h.

Whereas in Highway (5) The figures improved, as they timed it in 20 7/10 seconds to reach 400 m and in 41 1/10 to reach the km, putting their maximum speed at 129,684 km / h and their consumption at 6,5 l at 90 km / h and 8,5 , 120 to XNUMX km / h.

Of the 150.813 cars registered in Spain in 1965 were Renault 39.007 and of them 2.017 R 8 had already been assembled in this country, whose evolution would differ in part of that of the French R 8 hereinafter (6).

The Renault 8 is "more car"

In 1966, 240.485 cars were registered in Spain, of which 52.120 were Renault and 22.056 R 8 of them, a model that, at the end of the summer, no longer has delay in deliveries, something that only remained for the Seat.

Come 1966, our friend - who was the top of the Fasa range only until the Renault 10 appeared in October - found since January his most characterized rival, the Simca 1000 from Barreiros, rival whom he immediately surpassed in accordance with a successful claim that said: "Renault 8, is more car."

Highway made the cover of such an assertion (7) and tried to explain such an aggressive assertion (especially for the Simca 1000), considering that perhaps the merit lay, rather than improving others, in surpassing himself, thing that he would have done Renault 8 thanks to its brakes, its independent suspension, its steering, its seats or its nerve, as argued by a Renault salesperson who had come anonymously, from a skeptical interest in the R 8.

The test made in this magazine of a efficient R 8 used, the confirmation of its abundant network and its excellent second-hand price added support to such a resounding slogan, a true reflection of a reality endorsed by the public and critics.

In force for many who "The R 8 is more car", keep analyzing it Highway now through a survey in which 1.520 clients judge him (8). From it there are ratings such as 9,97 in relation to its oil consumption, a 9,18 for gasoline, a 9,11 for its brakes, a 9,09 for its engine, a 9 for its tires. They follow an 8,34 for the clutch, an 8,22 for its stability and an 8,15 for its service.

Its electrical system deserves a 7,99, and a 6,99 for its spare parts. The lowest notes correspond to 5,12 of its finish, 5,22 of its price and 5,79 of its change, corresponding to the car an overall mark of 7,85 out of 10.

As you can see, one year of life of the Spanish R 8, This has been credited as a sought after economy consumer car, of "Renault mechanics", excellent seats and powerful braking.

Consolidated in the market, outperforming the Simca 1000 and over the 850-door or 2-door Seat 4, the R 8 continues its run enjoying sustained affection. He does it in the hands of many renolists who had a 4/4, a Dauphine, an Ondine, or a Gordini, who will change their R 8 for an R 12, without finding any problem in going completely back to front-wheel drive, because any proposal that comes from Renault will them reassures. given your previous experiences.

In 1967 280.285 cars were sold, of which 58.865 were Renault and 16.469 R 8.

Speed explains in September of that year the improvements made to R 8 (9). These refer to your new dashboard imitating wood and with air vents, in the style of the R 10, and in its new colors, navy blue, white and Mississippi green, as well as new upholstery in what were considered the best seats in a Spanish car of those days.

Birth of the R 8 TS and quality control

1968 arrives, 299.762 cars are sold in Spain, of them 58.692 Renault brand and 20.654 are R 8, and the sports R 8 comes out in November, that kind of mythical French R 8 Gordini Spanish style which is the R 8 TS (10), imitation of the French R 8 S, presented there in August 1968.

There is no special news of the R 8 in 1969, the year in which 365.236 cars were sold, of which 72.325 Renault, of which R 8 25.942. Nor are there any in 1970, the year in which 385.886 cars were sold, 83.834 Renault brand and 30.559 R 8 model.

It is precisely in 1970 when the specialized press confronted the R 8 with the Simca 1000, which Arturo Andrés did, taking the chair in Highway (eleven). In that test the R 11 it is more livable and faster, offering somewhat cheaper consumption and being more serious and bourgeois than the flirtatious and more showy Simca.

That same year Highway realized of the incidents that occurred to a 8 Renault 1968, with a mileage of 63.073 km. During that time he had been subjected to six tune-ups, The oil was changed every 2.500 km and the filter every 7.500, suffering the following breakdowns: water pump leaks at 1.020 km, melted in the dynamo at 13.640, change of the burnt gaskets between the intake manifold and exhaust to 30.781 km, change of bearings of a bearing

at 56.674. To this had to be added two convergence adjustments and the replacement of the front disc pads every 20 km and the rear drum shoes at 000 thousand, turning said drums. This was considered logical for that mileage, which is indicative that the R 42 it was in those days a very efficient car and, of course, the qualitative evolution of our cars (12).

The following year, 1971, there are 414.890 registered cars, of which 96.633 are Renault, reaching the R 8 its highest sales figure: 35.926 units. In that year of 1971, in September, there is news in the Renault 8. These refer to its skay side seats, the steering wheel, gear lever, handbrake, rear-view mirror and sun visors of renewed design, as well as the new 4-circular clock frame, the different hubcaps and the molding under the apron.

The engine has larger diameter valves, pipes and manifolds, as well as deflected pistons, as well as 4,5-inch wheels; on the other hand, the exhaust pipe no longer ends curved but straight (13).

There will also be news in 1972, year in which 483.325 cars were sold, of which 117.676 were Renault, with the R 8 adding a total of 30.391 units. The novelties are now external, since the R 8 has, since September, 4 headlights, precisely the front of the R 8 TS, with high beam in the central headlights (14).

The arrival of the inevitable relief

Exponent of the success that our friend lives, is the comparative test who publishes Automechanical in November 1972 (15), a demonstration of what the R 8 means, just in the days when its engine is going to power the newcomer Renault 5.

In this comparative test -the Spanish Cup of medium cars- the R 8 only globally yields to the excellent Seat 127, successively surpassing the Seat 850 E 4 doors, the Renault 6, the Mini 1000, the Simca 1000 GLS, the Citroen Dyane 6 S and the C 8, beating them all in the body - comfort section, which included suspension, damping, habitability, seats, air conditioning, sound, equipment, habitability, handling and aesthetics.

More in detail, the Renault 8 It then accelerates to 400 m in 22 seconds from standstill and in 42 7/10 to the km, reaches 129,2 km / h of maximum speed, consumes 10,6 l per 100 km in the city and 7,64 on the highway and It costs 138.772 pts registered, being surpassed in price only by the Renault 6.

1973 arrives selling 567.365 cars, of which 139.379 are Renault and the R 8, 30.391. Again there are novelties (16) and these characterize the now called "Renault 8 revalued", taking shape in the new straight bumpers, without the front step and with the position lights under them, or in the new rear light groups, as well as in the 15-inch hubcaps and negative fall rear wheels, with Michelin ZX 145 tires .

Likewise, new softer fabric seats with the option of reclining, completed the revaluation. (L) (M)

In that year of 1973, in August, the R 8 is no longer sold in France, the last units sold there coming from Spain.

The latest news of the R 8 will be dated in 1974, having registered that year 555.483 cars, 147.890 of the Renault brand and 24.318 of the R 8 model. described in No. 5 of Highway, of August 29, 1974.

In that year 1974 Highway try the again Renault 8 (17) and says, at eight years of life, that the R 8 is the car with the least drawbacks that it could be acquired then, but that its general conception was outdated and that the R 7 would take over.

In other words, he says that his brakes, smooth and precise steering, powerful lights, fuel economy, elasticity of his engine, folding seats, complete frame and improved stability are the assets of this veteran, pointing out how shortcomings of this experienced car - which still sells quite well - its slow steering, its minimal rear view mirror, its noisy and vibrant gear stick - from which the gears even come off - its off-center seats and its conception passed.

There will be no news in 1975, with 551.631 cars sold, of which 152.042 Renault and 13.033 R 8. The same will happen in 1976, year in which manufacturing ceases -in June of the R 8 in Spain. That year 154.698 Renault were manufactured, of which there were R 8 still 3.352, a total of 594.968 having been registered and our friend was on the Spanish sales list, until January 1977.

[su_spoiler title = »RENAULT 8 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET ″ style =» fancy »]

• Sierra engine, 4-cylinder rear longitudinal with removable wet liners and 5-support crankshaft, cubing 956 cc (65 x 72) and giving 48 hp sae at 5200 rpm. 12 v battery and closed cooling circuit.
• Synchronized 4-speed gearbox. Diaphragm clutch.
• Steering rack.
• Front disc and rear drum brakes.
• Independent 4-wheel suspension. Rear wheel drive. Monocoque body.
• Dimensions of 3,995 m long, 1,490 wide and 1,410 high. Weight 755 kg.

[/ Su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title = »REFERENCES AND DOCUMENTARY SOURCES» style = »fancy»]

1. Speed n^º 55 and 56 of June 8 and 15, 1962 detail the world presentation of the French Renault 8, while the Renault Ondine is presented here.
2. The car No. 195 of July 1962 tests the French R 8, already announced in its No. 194.
3. Speed No. 219 of November 20, 1965 and Auto Magazine n^os 440 and 442 of November 6 and 20, 1965 report on the market launch of the R 8, when there were already 1.000 manufactured units, as did n. 356 of Highway, of November 17, 1965.
4. The park figures for the first day of 1966 come from DGT Yearbook of 1966.
5. Speed No. 225 of January 1, 1966 is the one that proves our R 8 and the Highway number referred to in the text is the so-called Christmas extra of December 1965.
6. The figures for registered cars, Renault and R 8 for each year come from FASA Renault.
7. Highway No. 395 of August 27, 1966, is concerned with whether the R 8 is more of a car.
8. Highway No. 404 of October 29, 1966, survey of R 8 users.
9. Speed No. 312 of September 2, 1967 and 313 of September 9, detail the changes of R 8 for 1968.
10. Highway No. 507 of October 26, 1968 introduces the R 8 TS
11. Highway No. 10 of March 7, 1970, faces the Simca 1000 and the R 8
12. Highway n^os 602 and 603 of August 22 and 29, 1970, give an account of that 60.000 km test.
13. Highway No. 657 of September 1, 1971 describes the improvements to the R 8, which begin to be sold just when the 12 S comes out and when the letter plates start.
14. Highway No. 712 of September 30, 1972 attests to the new R 8 with the front of the R 8 TS.
15. Automechanical November 39, 1972 performs the aforementioned comparative macro test.
16. Highway nº 745 of May 10, 1973 informs of the revalued R 8.
17. Highway no. 791-792 of April 6, 1974 publishes the proof of the latest evolution of the R 8.

[/ Su_spoiler]