Presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1964, the Renault 8 Gordini quickly became a legend among sports cars. Its unbeatable value for money allowed many enthusiasts to access a high-performance vehicle at an affordable cost. With its unique design and its Remarkable performances, the Renault 8 Gordini has established itself as an iconic French sports car. The R8 Gordini Cup and its numerous successes in rally also contributed to highlighting many promising drivers. In 2024, to celebrate its 60 years old, a look back at the fascinating history of this little Renault with a big heart that continues to stir passions.

 

Amédée Gordini: The "wizard" thirsty for performance

To understand the history of the legendary Renault 8Gordini, one must first know that of its creator: Amédée Gordini. This Italian mechanic, passionate about France and automotive mechanics, immigrates to Paris in the 1930s, where he begins working in various workshops. Very quickly, he specializes in engine tuning. Fiat, mounted on Simca-Fiat, the French subsidiary of Fiat. Thanks to his talent, he manages to transform modest cars into true racing cars, and quickly makes a name for himself in the world of automotive competitions.

Amédée Gordini makes his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1935, and won a category victory in 1939. He also distinguished himself by winning the Automotive Bol d'Or in 1936 and 1938. These successes earned him the nickname of "Witch", capable of transforming a simple pumpkin into a racing carriage.

After World War II, Gordini aimed to build his own racing cars. He partnered with SimcaTo obtain mechanical parts, but his handcrafted creations have mixed results on the circuits. In 1951, Simca withdraws from the partnership due to the lack of significant achievements. Nevertheless, Gordini continues to build its own cars and races with iconic drivers such as Maurice Trintignant, , Juan Manuel Fangio, and Jean Behra.

In 1957, exhausted, Gordini withdrew from the world of automobile racing. At 56, he turned to new horizons and met Pierre Dreyfus, director of the Management Renault. It was at that time that Renault, eager to reconnect with automobile competition, proposes to Gordini to develop sporty versions of its production cars. Thus is born the Renault Dauphine Gordini, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.

The birth of a sports icon: the Renault 8 Gordini

 

In June 1962, the Renault 8 takes over from the Dauphine in the range Renault, remaining faithful to the rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. This model is very successful. Designed by Gaston Juchet and Philippe Charbonneau, the Renault In 1964, the 8 benefited from a sports version that would revolutionize the world of sports cars. The 60th anniversary of this icon was celebrated at the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome in June 2024 during the Losange Passion International which also celebrated the 125th anniversary of Renault.

The press kit of the time clearly states the objective: "The Renault 8 Gordini must allow an entire clientele of enthusiasts and sports driving amateurs to satisfy their passion without having to invest more than the price of a mass-produced car.

What makes the R8 Gordini immediately recognizable is its unique aesthetic: a body in French blue adorned with two white stripes running across the entire vehicle. This iconic livery makes it a symbol of French sports cars and amazes car enthusiasts, while proudly displaying the colors of France.

 

The Renault 8 Gordini 1100: First version

 

The Renault 8 Gordini 1100 rests on the body of the R8 Major, recognizable by the inverted "L" on the rear pillar of the roof. To enhance its rigidity and make it a true sports car, several modifications have been made, such as reinforcements on the side members, the front crossmember, as well as an additional rear engine mount.

The chassis components have been modified compared to the Renault 8 classic, notably:

The braking has also been improved with 4 disc brakes, making the R8 Gordini one of the first cars to adopt such a device.

Although she is now perceived as a minimalist athlete, the Renault 8 Gordini offered at the time relatively complete equipment with a dashboard including: a speedometer, "a" tachometer, indicators of water temperature and of brake fluid level. Its interior, while still accessible, was more luxurious than that of its competitors, such as the Mini Cooper S or the Ford Cortina Lotus, while displaying a lower price.

What makes the magic of this R8 Gordini is its engine. Amédée Gordini, true to his reputation as a "wizard," transforms the 956 cm³ 4-cylinder engine of the Renault Caravel and Estafette into a much more powerful version. The cylinder head is redesigned and the displacement increased to 1108 cm³ (engine type 804-00). Originally, the R8 Gordini is equipped with two carburetors Solex 40 PHH2, replaced by Weber in 1965.

The 4-speed gearbox does not excel in terms of guidance. Other spare parts are specific, such as the box and the air filter as well as the ignition Ducellier.

Amédée Gordini adds an oil radiator, which allows the R8 Gordini to produce 77.5 hp DIN (95 hp SAE) on this version R1134. The performances are impressive for the time: a top speed of more than 170 km/h, significantly above the Peugeot 404 (140 km/h) or of Citroën DS (160 km/h).

The Renault 8 Gordini disrupts the codes of sports cars and foreshadows the segment of small GTI before they even appear.

 

Renault 8 Gordini 1300: The best version

 

In 1966, the Renault 8 Gordini evolves with the version R1135, correcting some flaws of the previous models. This new version stands out with a more aggressive look, with its Four lighthouses and of the wider rims, but the real revolution is hidden under the hood.

A new engine, the Type 812-00, with an engine displacement of 1255 cm³, deliver 88 hp DIN (110 hp SAE) with carburetion Weber. Thanks to this engine and an improved 5-speed gearbox, the R8 Gordini 1300 offers unmatched performance, achieving the Standing start kilometer in less than 32 seconds – mind-blowing for the time !

The crate has been further reinforced in several strategic locations, including:

  • The wheel arches
  • The junction above the front door sills
  • The windshield frame

To improve performance, the body was lightened with thinner sheets on the doors and rear fenders. An additional tank was added at the front to increase range and improve balance, which is essential to correct the car's very oversteering behavior. A switch between the two seats allows the driver to switch from one tank to the other.

Another distinctive sign of the R8 Gordini 1300 is the embossing under the rear seat, designed to accommodate the 5-speed gearbox. After this major evolution, the R8 Gordini continued its career with few modifications, except for the introduction of new colors (white, yellow, sage gray, and dark green) in 1968 without the famous white stripes.

 

The R8 Gordini in the spotlight

If the Renault 8 Gordini became an icon, it is largely thanks to her status as a affordable small sports car. However, what really left a lasting impression was his commitment to the rallies and its own dedicated championship, the R8 Gordini Cup. This competition highlighted his performances, contributing to his popularity and legendary status in the world of sports cars.

 

The R8 Gordini: Rallying in its blood

From its appearance in 1964, the Renault 8 Gordini establishes himself in the world of rallies by participating in the 9th edition of the Tour of Corsica. All four cars entered finished in the top five, with a memorable victory for Jean Vinatier.

The R8 Gordini impresses right from the start with its exceptional performance and unique road handling, due to its rear weight, which allows it to quickly tackle the hairpin turns of mountain roads. Many drivers remember tricks, such as adding sandbags or cinder blocks in the front trunk, to improve the car's balance and precision. Nonetheless, the R8 Gordini shines in numerous races throughout its career, boasting an impressive track record:

  • 1965 : Victory in the overall standings of the Rallye de Lyon Charbonnières with Jean Vinatier.
  • 1966 : Victory at the Tour of Corsica with Pierre Orsini.
  • 1966 : At the 24 Hours of Spa, The three R8 Gordini crews (Vinatier/Bianchi, Piot/Andruet, Orsini/Vacca) achieved a triple by finishing in the top three positions of their category – impressive !
  • 1966 : Mauro Bianchi wins the Macau GP with an R8 Gordini.
  • 1968 : Jean-Pierre Nicolas triumph at the Rally of Morocco.
  • 1969 : Jean Luc Thérier achieves a feat with a victory in Group 1 and finishes 5th overall at the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally.
  • 1970 : Jannick Auxemer wins the French Circuit Criterion in the series production touring car category.

The R8 Gordini is making headlines and revealing the names of previously unknown drivers. This is nothing compared to the success of its single-model championship, which will definitively seal its aura in the world of motorsport.

The R8 Gordini Cup: The School for French Drivers

 

The idea of a single-model championship, the R8 Gordini Cup, emanates from Georges Fraichard, former editor of the magazine Engines and friend of Amédée Gordini. Enthusiastic about this concept, he talks to Alain Bertaut and Pierre Allanet of the magazine Automobile Action, who welcome the idea with enthusiasm. Thanks to the agreement of Robert Sicot, head of external relations for Renault, the project is taking shape and giving birth to a memorable championship.

The race organizers still need to be convinced, as they fear a lack of interest from the public when it comes to unknown drivers behind the wheel of classic cars. Ultimately, the R8 Gordini Cup is created in 1966, and the first races captivate the public, attracting crowds of enthusiasts who closely follow the duels between these daring young drivers.

Slides, roaring engines, and collisions create a striking spectacle, exciting the spectators. Roger particularly remembers the epic races on the circuit of Nogaro, where he saw a certain Jean-Pierre Jabouille in 1966 to showcase his driving style, supported by his friend Jacques Laffite, who helped him tune his "Gorde."

The Cup Renault 8 Gordini has thus made history by propelling unknown drivers to the top of French motorsport, such as:

  • Jean-Luc Thérier
  • Alain Cudini
  • Jean-Pierre Jarier
  • Jean-Pierre Jabouille
  • Michel Leclère
  • Robert Mieusset
  • Jean-Claude Andruet

Furthermore, the R8 Gordini allowed Michel Hommel to move towards the automotive press and to Hugues de Chaunac to develop his team, which will become a big name in French motorsport: ORECA.

 

60 years old and not a wrinkle

 

You will have understood, the Renault 8 Gordini democratized the motor sport for everyone, allowing enthusiasts to access a small sports car and drivers to showcase their talent at a lower cost. Sixty years later, the R8 Gordini continues to fascinate, and the few remaining examples of the 11,607 units produced until 1970 exchange hands for a fortune. This iconic French car made history and became a legend, being the last Renault "all the way in the back." It makes way for an entirely new car, the Renault 12 Gordini that we will present to you soon on the website.

"Happy birthday Madame R8 Gordini - In 60 years you haven't aged a bit, just like me ;)" signed Roger.

 

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