Renault 8 1962

The Renault 8 was among the first compact French saloons to use four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment. This was an unusual feature for a family car of its size in 1962 and became one of the model’s most frequently noted technical distinctions. Its sealed cooling system, developed along similar lines to the system used by the Renault 4, was also intended to reduce routine maintenance associated with checking coolant levels. (presse.renault.de)

Renault produced the Renault 8 from 1962 into the early 1970s. A historical Renault Deutschland press release gives a total of 1,329,372 cars built between mid-1962 and mid-1972. That figure applies to the Renault 8 family as a whole and does not isolate the Base version produced during the 1962 model year. Production and assembly also differed between markets, with locally adapted or licensed versions made in several countries. The sources consulted do not provide a sufficiently reliable breakdown by trim level and model year to assign a precise production figure to the 1962 Base specification. The overall total nevertheless illustrates the model’s broad commercial reach during its long production period. (presse.renault.de)

Early coverage of the Renault 8 focused on its role as a roomier and more capable alternative to the Dauphine, while remaining compact enough for the small-car market. Technical journalists highlighted the smooth 956 cc four-cylinder, its five-bearing crankshaft and the unusual use of disc brakes on all four wheels. A 1962 Motor Sport report also described performance that allowed a comparatively high cruising speed for the class. Contemporary comments therefore concentrated on the car’s engineering and equipment, although its angular styling was less universally familiar than the rounded appearance of the Dauphine. Later assessments have continued to emphasize the Renault 8’s comfortable rear-engine layout and lively character, while noting the handling demands of that configuration. (motorsportmagazine.com)