Renault
Renault
RENAULT 8 (1962-71)
4-door 4-seater saloon.
Angular but successful replacement for curvy Dauphine, though with a new family of wet-liner engines. Rear-engined, all-independent suspension, oversteers if pressed, but graced by four-wheel disc brakes. Longer-nose/same cabin 8-1100, with larger engine, in UK from late 1965, did not reach 1970s (see '10' below). Short-nose 8-1100 from late 1967, to confused everything! Also spawned fierce R8 Gordini 'homologation' special, which was dropped by 1970. A few even had semi-automatic transmission, which is to be avoided. Soon disappeared in favour of new 12.
Technical Specifications
Engine
956cc/1108cc (S4 OHV)
Configuration
Rear engine, rear-wheel drive
Production dates
1962 to 1971
Number produced
1,329,372 all types