Anyone here remember or own a Renault Caravelle? or???

Question

...how about a R-8, LeCar, or Dauphine? My parents used to own a R-8 when I was a kid as well as a Caravelle convertible with a detachable hardtop as well as a soft top. I think that the R-8 was a 1962 and the Caravelle was a 1963 or 1964 year model. I remember both cars fondly, especially the Caravelle with the top down and evening drives in the Summer.

Answer 1

Yes, I sure do, had a 1967 model. There are 2 different Caravelles, the early Caravelle with an 845cc, 40bhp, Dauphine engine, last produced in 1962, then the Caravelle S, virtually totally new mechanically, but looked about the same. It reached the USA in 1963 with a new 956cc engine, then starting in 1964 received the 1108cc version of that engine. The S was a much better car, much superior engine, virtually indistructable, in '64 and on, new all synchromesh 4 speed transaxle, totally new ball joint front suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, side loovers were sealed off, and air entered radiator thru slots in engine lid, all S models were faster than earlier Caravelles. The R8 also entered the USA in 1963 with the 956cc engine, then went to 1108cc in '64 except for the terrible push button automatic models. The Caravelle, Caravelle S, R8 and R10 were all based on the Dauphine chassis, but the chassis was beefed up, even the last Dauphines were made on the much beefed up R10 chassis. The smallest of the rear engines cars, and the 1st, was the 4CV, 1948 to 1961, had its own shorter chassis, same power package mounting holes as all others, but was just a different car. Dauphine was developed from the 4CV, same engine but 845cc instead of 750cc, same transaxle but mounted differently and taller final gear ratio. I currently have a highly modified '59 4CV, all running gear is R10, 4 wheel disc brakes, all synchro 4 speed, 12v electrical, pretty fast too, and still gets 38mpg fuel economy, down from 44mpg. The Caravelle S production ended in 1968 I think, the R8 in about 1970 as an R8S with 1300cc, the Dauphine in 1968, and the R10 in 1971 with 1300cc, for USA anyway. We had a 1969 and 1971 R16, very smooth luxurious front wheel drive car. That was the last Renaults we ever had, except for my hotrod 4CV, somewhere in around 1972 or so Renault vanished from the Houston Texas area, maybe the whole USA. I found out later that they were still here as AMC, AMC Alliance is an R9. There were other cars sold here as Renault, but they were sold by Chrysler! No surprise I guess, since the Chrysler family is French. The Simca was known as the French Chrysler. If you still have a Renault of any kind, AMC too, you can get help from the Renault Owners Club of North America, http://www.renaultownersclub.org/ It is a very nice club, great people, very friendly, and more than willing to help you with tech stuff and parts. They are based in California, USA. We also have cars for sale, some for free. Hope you have a great day :-), John

Answer 2

I saw a Caravelle about 2 years ago at a French car meet here in Vancouver - a white one. The R8 was a great car, especially in the "Gordini" trim - a guy in town has one! My favourite Renault of that era is the R12...that's a great car! My parents had a '69 R6 when I was a baby, and my dad loved that car.

Answer 3

Yeah, I remember. in actuality, in severe college I had a Dauphine. My lady pal's sister had a Caravelle and how i wanted one. approximately 5 years after graduation, i offered hers! this is a 'sixty one (nonetheless have it). particularly plenty restored and characteristic pushed it over 3 hundred miles-gets 29 m.p.g. interior the early 70's, I have been given a 'sixty seven Caravelle that must be restored. Brake areas are almost impossible to stumble on. The 'sixty seven has a larger engine and could bypass down the line in advantageous style. The 'sixty one has the comparable engine that the Dauphine had, so this is underpowered. (0 to 60 in decrease than a minute, LOL) i will start up the 'sixty one utilising the main, notwithstanding this is extra exciting relatively if theres onlookers to start it with the crank.

Answer 4

I owned 2 Dauphine's. R-8, R-10, 2-R16's and a Le Car. They were all fun but hard to get serviced in the usa.

Answer 5

My dad had a '68 R-8,that thing was UGLY but one hell of a car!!! I had a '84 Fuego and that thing was fast and handled like a slotcar.All stock and I beat a Nova with a 400 and twin fours.

Answer 6

No I never owned one of those but did own a Renault 11 Turbo and a Renault 17TS.

Answer 7

No. How many are still running?