Renault 8

Manufacturer	Renault
Also called	Renault 10 Dacia 1100 Bulgarrenault 8/10
Production	1962–1973
Assembly	Flins, France Mariara, Venezuela Plovdiv, Bulgaria Valladolid, Spain Mioveni, Romania Ciudad Sahagun, Mexico Heidelberg, Australia Casablanca, Morocco St. Bruno, Quebec, Canada Algiers, Algeria (CARAL)
Class	Motor car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	RR layout
Engine	956 cc I4 1108 cc I4 1255 cc I4 1289 cc I4
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual Automatic option
Wheelbase	2,270 mm (89.4 in)
Length	4,000 mm (157.5 in)
Width	1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Height	1,375 mm (54.1 in)

The Renault 8 (Renault R8 until 1964)  produced by the French manufacturer Renault in the 1960s and early 1970s.

History

The 8 was launched in 1962. The Renault 8 ceased production and sales in France in 1973. By then the Renault 10 had already been replaced, two years earlier, by the front wheel drive Renault 12.They were produced in Bulgaria until 1970 (see Bulgarrenault), and an adapted version of the Renault 8 continued to be produced in Spain until 1976. In Romania, a version of the 8 was produced under license between 1968 and 1971 as the Dacia 1100.

The 8 design looks very similar to the Alfa Romeo front-wheel drive prototype tipo 103 (1960), because Alfa Romeo and Renault had a business relationship in the 1950s and 1960s. Renault was marketing Alfa Romeo cars and Alfa Romeo was building the Renault Dauphine (1959–1964), Ondine (an up-market version of the Dauphine) (1961–1962) and R4 (1962–1964) under license in Italy. In total 70,502 Dauphine/Ondine and 41,809 R4's were built by Alfa Romeo.

The R8 (model R1130) was released in June 1962 and was based on the Renault Dauphine with which it shared its basic architecture and its 2,270 mm (89.4 in) wheelbase. The style, closely following that of the first prototype produced, at unusually short notice, by Philippe Charbonneaux, was fashionably boxy, however; while the Renault 8 was actually 30 mm (1.2 in) narrower than the Dauphine, the manufacturer was able to install thick cushioned front seats that were actually each 60 mm (2.4 in) wider, at 560 mm (22.0 in), than those fitted in the Dauphine. The R8's engine followed the pioneering example of the recently introduced Renault 4 by incorporating a sealed for life cooling system. A distinctive innovation on the French produced cars was the fitting of four-wheel disc brakes, a first for a saloon/sedan car of this size.However, when in 1965 Renault's Spanish affiliate  introduced their own version of the Renault 8 for the (then tariff-shielded) Spanish market, it came with drum brakes.

The 8 was powered by an all new 956 cc engine developing 44 PS (32 kW; 43 hp).A more powerful model, the 8 Major (model R1132), was released in 1964, featuring an 1108 cc engine developing 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp). A still more powerful version, the 8 model R1134 Gordini, was also released that year, with a tuned engine of the same capacity but developing 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) and with a five-speed close ratio manual transmission. The Gordini was originally available only in blue, with two stick-on white stripes. In 1965, the Renault 10 Major, a more luxurious version of the 8 with different front and rear styling, was released, replacing the 8 Major. Early R10 had round headlights.

• PERFORMANCE: 956cc
  Engine capacity: 58.47 cu in, 956 cu cm;
  Fuel consumption: 41.4 m imp gal, 34,6 m US gal
  Max speed: 77.6 mph, 125 km h
  max power (SAE): AS hp at 5200 rpm
  max torque (SAE): 55 1b ft.7.6 kgm at 2500 rpm
  max number of engine rpm: 5200
  specific power:50.2 hp;l
  power-weight ratio: 33.3 lb/hp, 15.1 kg, hp
  acceleration: standing mile 22.3 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 kmyh) 14.1 sec
• PERFORMANCE: Major 1100cc
  Engine capacity: 67.61 cu in, 1,108 cu cm
  Fuel consumption: 41.5 m/imp gal, 34.6 mlUS gal, 6.8 1 x 100 km
  Max speed: 82.6 mph, 133 km/h
  power-weight ratio: 35.3 lb/hp, 16 kg/hp
  max power (SAE): 46 hp at 4,600 rpm
  max torque (SAE): 57 1b ft,7.8 kg m at 3,000 rpm
  max engine rpm: 5,300
  specific power: 41.5 hp/l

Semi-automatic transmission

For 1963 (initially only in France), Renault offered a semi-automatic transmission of unique design, developed and produced by Jaeger.Although it was described as a form automatic transmission at the time, in retrospect it was more realistically a form of automatic clutch, inspired by the German Saxomat device which appeared as an option on several mainstream German cars in the 1950s and 60s.

The clutch in the system was replaced by a powder ferromagnetic coupler, while the transmission itself was a three-speed mechanical unit similar to that of the Dauphine—but from the beginning, in this form, with synchromesh on all gears.The system used a dash-mounted push button control panel where the driver could select forward or reverse and a governor that sensed vehicle speed and throttle position.A "relay case" containing electromagnetic switches received signals from the governor and push buttons and then controlled a coupler, a decelerator to close the throttle during gear changes, and a solenoid to select operation of the reverse-first or second-third shift rail, using a reversible electric motor to engage the gears. The system was thus entirely electromechanical, without hydraulics, pneumatics or electronics.

Benefits included comparable fuel economy to the manual transmission version, and easy adaptability to the car. Drawbacks included performance loss (with only three available gears) and a somewhat jerky operation during gear changes.The transmission was also used in the Dauphine and the Caravelle.

Facelift

In 1967, the R8 Gordini (model R1135) received a facelift including two additional headlights, and its engine upgraded to a 1255 cc unit rated at 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp). Both the 8 and the 10 were heavily revised for 1969. Some of the 10's features being incorporated in the 8, resulting in a new 8 Major which replaced the basic model.

The changes also saw the addition of the 8S, a sportier model with a 1108 cc engine rated at 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp). 8S model also had twin headlights - the middle ones were for high beam only. The car was delivered with black "RENAULT 8S" , intended for the rear wings but their fixing was left to the customer.The Renault 8S is based on the well proven Renault 8, and combines luxury, safety and performance in a new and exciting model. Luxury Instantly recognisable by its four headlights, the Renault 8S has its own particular charm. Open any one of its four doors and step in. Super comfortable seats, designed to support legs and shoulders on long journeys; luxuriously upholstered in fine quality leather cloth with the centre portions of the front and the rear seats covered in honeycombed fabric for extra coolness and comfort. There is plenty of leg room for driver and passengers alike and one of the essentials of true comfort, after the seats, is efficient ventilation. The heater/demister, booster fan and adjustable vents give gent e warmth without stuffiness in Winter and cool fresh air without draughts in Summer. Safety The Renault 8S is a very safe car. Four large disc brakes give faultless stopping power a pressure limiting valve prevents the rear wheels locking.
Four wheel independent suspension and radial corded tyres ensure exceptional road holding and a safe comfortable ride on the worst of road surfaces. Excellent visibility all round, a large convex panoramic windscreen. four headlamps to turn night into day. Inside too, there are many special safety features. padded surrounds, grab handles, dished steering wheel with shock absorbent centre boss. Comfort and ventilation are also two important safety points and screen washers, anti-theft and child proof locks are fitted as standard.
Performance the Renault 8S With an increase over the Renault 8 of some 30% in power to 60 bhp. at 5,500 rpm. the 1108 cc. engine gives the 8S a dual personality. In sporting mood the flexible, well balanced 5 bearing engine with a Weber twin choke carburetter coupled to the four speed all synchromesh gearbox, makes full use of the available power and gives brilliant acceleration through the gears to over 90 mph. A rev. counter is fitted as standard in traffic and With a turning circle of under 31 ft. it is so easy to park. 

The instrument panel Of the RENAULT 8S has a wood finish in line with the quality image of the car. On each side are fresh air vents, adjustable for both direction and volume of air.The dished steering wheel has a centre boss protected by a shock absorbent foam cover. The neat instrument panel can be read at a glance: rev. counter, speedometer, mileage recorder, voltmeter and fuel gauge. Below these are the warning lights for headlights, direction indicators, oil pressure and water temperature and long beam driving lights. All that the driver needs is ready to hand grouped around the steering wheel. On the left, the controls for horns and headlights are on a single stalk. On the right there is the direction indicator control and above this, the switches for windscreen wipers and long distance lamps. In the right hand corner is the windscreen washer control.
There are three glove pockets, one in the dashboard and two below it.

The anti-theft steering lock combined with ignition switch and starter is on the steering column. The dashboard surround is fully padded and concealed in the bottom centre portion is an ashtray. The heating, ventilating and booster fan controls placed below the dashboard are simple and easy to operate. Above the windscreen are two sun visors and a rear View mirror behind which is mounted an interior courtesy light to allow one to study maps without troubling the driver or disturbing sleeping passengers. In the back are two passenger grab handles. Behind the rear seat is a large volume parcel container where numerous objects can be stored without interfering with the driver's view. The main luggage boot under the front bonnet gives over 8 cu.ft. Of space and locks from within the car.The spare wheel is in a special locker behind the front number plate.

SAFETY FEATURES
Crash-pad along top of windscreen surround and length Of dashboard.Spare wheel up front to act as crash buffer.Child-proof locks on rear doors.
Locks on both front doors.Dished-type steering wheel with shock absorbing cover to centre boss.Flush interior door handles. Excellent visibility through wide windscreen and rear window both curved. NO quarter lights the thief's usual method Of entry.Anti-theft steering lock.
INTERIOR TRIM
Door panels and seats covered in leather cloth. Dashboard top in matt leather cloth. Roof lined in washable perforated plastic.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Instruments include: Voltmeter, mileage recorder. speedometer, counter, fuel gauge, warning lights for dynamo, flashing direction indicators, oil pressure and
temperature. headlights and long range lamps. The hand controls of lights, horns and headlamp flasher are to left Of steering wheel—the Self-cancelling direction indicator control to right.

EQUIPMENT
Heater and demister. Booster fan for hot or cold air. Fresh air vents on fascia. Interior courtesy light. Twin sun visors. Twin windscreen wipers with emergency cut-off switch.Headlamp flasher. Twin-jet windscreen washer.Safety belt anchorage points, Engine Bonnet Lock. Crash-pads along top rail of windscreen.
Three glove compartments. Ash-tray in dashboard. Rubber floor mats. Child-proof locks on rear doors. Additional side-mounted direction indicators.
Starting handle. Transparent reservoir for hydraulic brake fluid. Tectyl under-body anti-corrosion compound. Cigarette Lighter—optional extra.

A larger unit, the 1289 cc engine from the new Renault 12, was added in 1970, giving birth to the R10 1300.