Renault Dauphine was a game changer in many ways. This compact vehicle was designed as a low-budget family. It was in production between 1956 to 1967. During this period, it created a record by becoming the very first French car to sell more than 2 million units. Dauphine was a successor to the Renault 4CV. It was a single generation model with upgrades in each year. The most iconic version arrived in 1961. Here is everything about the 1961 Renault Dauphine.
Engine
Renault Dauphine was a sedan and an economic car. This ensures it was not a performance package. Surprisingly this was a petrol engine vehicle with a naturally aspirated inline-4 engine. The vehicle’s engine was equipped with an overhead valve and solex carburetor. Though the top speed was around 77mph, the torque was poor. This was not an issue as Renault focused on fuel economy and features rather than performance.
Technology
The mechanical features for Renault Dauphine were advanced. It was packed with multiple manual gearboxes. The vehicle offered a smooth driving experience with its independent suspension, sealed cooling system, and Rack-and-pinion steering. It was a lightweight vehicle made on a monocoque platform. There were disc brakes as well. Overall, the ride was great with no noise disturbance. It was not a sports car which had huge acceleration and speed as this was targeted towards families.
Good Interior Features
Renault surprised the buyers of Dauphine with interior features. The vehicle had bucket seats with a 5-seater option. Other key features were cloth upholstery, speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, warning lights, manual heater, and fresh air ventilation system. In the inside area, rubber floor mats and chromium accents were there. Some of these features were premium and advanced for its time. These were great for a vehicle which didn’t focus on luxury. The entire features were an upgrade to Renault’s 4CV with huge cargo space.
Sold in Various Countries
Renault Dauphine had great success worldwide. It was manufactured in France, and sold in countries like France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and England. It was also sold in other countries like the USA, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Morocco. This was a huge success for Renault as they were able to expand their market all over the world. For these reasons, the Dauphine will always remain special for Renault.
Designs
Renault Dauphine had the best styling for a sedan. Be it the tailfins, chromium trim, or rounded rear deck, everything was successful. It had a mix of French and American styling. Dauphine featured rounded nose and headlights, smooth body surfaces, and curves rooflines with a large glass area. In the rear, the vehicle had rounded taillights and tailfins. Dauphine was available in primary colors like Turquoise, Ivory White, Grey, Beige, Dark Green, Burgundy, Light Blue, and Red. With so much color options, it was easy for people to choose their favourite.
Record Sales
No one anticipated the humongous success of Renault Dauphine. It was massive with overall numbers around 2 million. Renault broke the record with Dauphine. This was all possible for its engineering, features, compact budget, and styling. The vehicle’s sale peaked in the year 1960 with 4 lakh units followed by 3 lakh units in the next year. Renault Dauphine was priced between $1,600 USD to $2,500 USD. This was an ultra cheap sedan car for its time. As it was sold in large numbers, the Renault Dauphine remains a collectible vehicle now. The success of the original Renault Dauphine was staggering in all ways.
