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What made a Renault a Gordini?
“Gordini” on a Renault signaled a sporting connection with Amédée Gordini, the engineer and former racing driver who worked with Renault to sharpen its road cars for competition and spirited driving. It was not a single fixed specification: the models, engineering and badge use changed over time and varied by market. Renault Group dates the Dauphine Gordini’s debut to the 1957 Paris Motor Show.
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This comparison covers Renault road models carrying the Gordini name, rather than every car Amédée Gordini designed or every Renault and Alpine competition car with related engines. Renault’s historical account covers Gordini-badged Renault models from 1957 to 1984, including the Dauphine, R8, R12, R17 and R5.
How do the Renault Gordini models compare?
| Model | Best known for | Key evidence | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dauphine Gordini | Accessible, everyday-derived early sporting Renault | Renault lists an 845 cc engine, 38 hp and 126 kph top speed; it also records a 1958 Tour de Corse win. | Renault says its performance was somewhat short in the 1000 cc competition class. “Weakest” here refers only to class pace. |
| Renault 8 Gordini | Competition impact and iconic status | Four R8 Gordinis finished first, third, fourth and fifth at the 1964 Tour de Corse. The later R1135 used a 1255 cc engine and five-speed gearbox. | Power figures differ by version and rating system; keep SAE and DIN figures distinct. |
| Renault 12 Gordini | Front-wheel-drive transition and a more modern sporting-saloon layout | Its 1565 cc engine was rated at 113 hp DIN at 6,250 rpm; Renault records 5,188 produced through 1974. | Competition preparation stripped the cabin back, including removing bumpers and fitting austere seating. |
| Renault 17 Gordini | Rally credentials and coupé/convertible character | Renault records a 1974 Press-on-Regardless rally win by a Renault 17 Gordini entry. | The 200 DIN hp four-valve competition engine was not the standard road-car specification. |
| Renault 5 Gordini / Gordini Turbo | Market-specific continuation of the badge | In the UK and Ireland, the R5 Alpine was sold as the R5 Gordini; the Alpine Turbo was similarly sold as R5 Gordini Turbo. | It was not a globally distinct Gordini-engineered model; the naming reflected local trademark circumstances. |
Why is the Renault 8 Gordini the best all-round pick?
The R8 Gordini has the clearest case when “best” means a blend of recognizability and documented sporting impact. Renault’s account of the 1964 Tour de Corse gives it an unusually strong result: four cars placed first, third, fourth and fifth. The achievement links the road car’s identity to competition success rather than just to a badge or a specification.
#1 Best Overall
- SOLIDO BRAND QUALITY: Solido is known for producing high-quality diecast model cars with exceptional detail, durable construction, and accurate representations of real vehicles. Each model is crafted with precision and built to last.
- RENAULT OFFICIALLY LICENSED MODEL: This Renault 4LF4 Gordini Service vehicle replica is produced as an officially licensed Renault model. It represents the support vehicle used by the Gordini racing division during the 1970s, reflecting Renault’s motorsport heritage and the role of service vehicles in rally and racing operations. Official licensing allows Solido to reproduce Renault trademarks, body design, and historical markings associated with the Renault 4LF4 Gordini Service vehicle.
- FEATURES & DETAILS: This 1:18 scale Renault 4LF4 Gordini Service model measures approximately 8 inches in length and reproduces the compact proportions of the classic Renault 4 utility vehicle. The diecast replica features opening front doors that reveal interior details including seating and dashboard elements. Finished in the blue Gordini Service livery representing the 1976 support vehicle, the model is designed for display and does not include a separate display base.
- TOP QUALITY MATERIALS: Produced using a diecast metal body with carefully molded plastic components, this model provides durability while maintaining fine visual details. The paint finish and Gordini Service graphics are applied to reproduce the appearance of the real support vehicle. Exterior body lines, interior elements, and wheel details demonstrate Solido’s approach to creating collectible diecast replicas with recognizable automotive styling.
- COLLECTIBLE DISPLAY ITEM: Designed for collectors aged 14 and above, this Renault 4LF4 Gordini Service model is intended as a collectible display piece rather than a toy. Its historic service livery, detailed craftsmanship, and accurate scale proportions make it an appealing addition to classic car or motorsport collections. This diecast model also makes a thoughtful gift option for Renault enthusiasts and collectors of historic automotive vehicles.
Two versions, two power-rating conventions
Renault Classic’s historical account gives the R1134’s 1108 cc engine as 95 SAE hp at 6,500 rpm. The later R1135 grew to 1255 cc and added a five-speed gearbox; Renault lists its output as 110 SAE hp or 88 DIN hp. These ratings should not be compared as if they were the same measurement system.
Was the Dauphine Gordini the worst?
Only if the criterion is outright performance against the 1000 cc competition class. Renault says the Dauphine Gordini’s 845 cc engine left it somewhat short in that category. Its museum specification panel lists 38 hp and a 126 kph top speed, figures that describe a modestly powered car by the standards of later performance models.
Rank #2
- 1/24 car in metal
- Vehicle screwed on base, in blister: no box
- A great gift idea!
That does not make it a poor car in every sense. Renault Group describes the Dauphine Gordini as affordable and practical for everyday use while also playful on the road and competitive in rallying. Renault records its victory at the 1958 Tour de Corse. The museum lists 178,223 Dauphine Gordinis produced between 1961 and 1968, out of more than 2.1 million Dauphines overall according to Renault Group.
What changed with the Renault 12 Gordini?
The R12 Gordini marked a technical break from the rear-engined R8: it moved to a front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. Renault’s museum entry gives its 1565 cc four-cylinder engine an output of 113 hp DIN at 6,250 rpm and a top speed of 185 kph. It also lists front ventilated disc brakes.
Rank #3
- SOLIDO BRAND QUALITY: Solido is known for producing high-quality diecast model cars with exceptional detail, durable construction, and accurate representations of real vehicles. Each model is crafted with precision and built to last.
- RENAULT OFFICIALLY LICENSED MODEL: Officially licensed Solido replica of the 1975 Renault 4LF4, finished in White and reproducing the distinctive appearance of Renault's compact light commercial vehicle.
- FEATURES & DETAILS: 1:18 scale diecast model featuring opening front doors, directional wheels, White exterior finish and styling based on the original 1975 Renault 4LF4 panel van.
- TOP QUALITY MATERIALS: Diecast metal body with molded plastic components, detailed interior, White paint finish, reproduced trim, wheels and exterior styling matching the original vehicle.
- COLLECTIBLE DISPLAY ITEM: Designed for collectors ages 14 and up. Intended for display by Renault enthusiasts, automotive collectors and diecast model fans, making an excellent gift choice.
Renault’s museum describes the production R12 as safer and more reliable than its R8 predecessor. That is the manufacturer’s characterization, not a result from a controlled comparison across the models. The competition-focused version could be notably austere: homologation preparation included removing bumpers and fitting stripped-back seating.
Where does the Renault 17 Gordini fit?
The R17 is the strongest alternative for readers who value rally history and coupé or convertible appeal over the R8’s landmark early results. Renault’s history records a Renault 17 Gordini entry winning the 1974 Press-on-Regardless rally. That achievement should not be used to infer the road car’s engine output: the 200 DIN hp four-valve engine cited for the rally car was a competition specification, not the standard road-car setup. Renault says R17 production ended in early 1978; naming and specifications varied with market and year.
Rank #4
- Scale 1:24
- Metal vehicle
- With opening parts
Why does “R5 Gordini” depend on the market?
In the UK and Ireland, trademark restrictions on the Alpine name led Renault to sell the R5 Alpine as the R5 Gordini. The later Alpine Turbo used the R5 Gordini Turbo name there. This makes the badge an important continuation of Renault’s Gordini story, but not evidence of a separate, globally available Gordini-engineered R5 variant.
Which Gordini should you choose?
- For the most iconic sporting legacy: choose the Renault 8 Gordini, on the strength of its Tour de Corse result and enduring association with competition.
- For the early, practical model with rally history: the Dauphine Gordini has a case beyond outright speed.
- For a front-wheel-drive engineering shift: the R12 Gordini is the clearest choice.
- For a rally-linked coupé or convertible: consider the R17 Gordini, while keeping competition and road-car specifications separate.
- For a region-specific piece of badge history: the UK and Irish R5 Gordini reflects local naming, not a universal model designation.
Renault’s heritage pages provide factory specifications and history, not a single controlled road test of all five models. The rankings above therefore use explicit criteria—competition impact, class pace, drivetrain change and badge history—rather than claiming an objective best-to-worst verdict on quality.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 1/24 car in metal
- Vehicle screwed on base, in blister: no box
- A great gift idea!
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