1965 Renault 8 Gordini R1134
1 of just 2,626 made

Registration No: EFG 138C
Chassis No: 1134-0500846
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied new in France as a road car before being converted for FIA Appedix K competition usage circa 1990
• Veteran of numerous rallies and tours throughout Europe most recently the Ennstal Classic and Tour Auto
• ASI and FIVA registered
• Original engine enlarged to 1147cc and fitted with twin Weber carburettors
• Maintained for the seller by Omicron Engineering of Mulbarton

Introduced in 1964, the Renault 8 Gordini 1100 (R1134) proved a formidable competition car taking first, third, fourth and fifth places on that year’s Tour de Corse. Derived from its Renault 8 Major sibling, the newcomer featured a beefed-up front crossmember, additional engine mount and reinforced sills not to mention a higher-geared steering rack, lower springs and twin shock absorbers for the rear axle. Living up to his ‘Le Sourcier’ nickname, Amedee Gordini effectively doubled the horsepower of the four-seater’s Cleon-Fonte 1.1-litre OHV engine via a reworked cylinder head and twin Solex carburettors (later supplanted by Webers). With some 95bhp / 72lbft on tap, the rear-wheel drive sports saloon boasted a four-speed close-ratio gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes. Closer in performance to a Lotus Cortina MK1 than a Mini Cooper S, the Renault 8 Gordini 1100 could only be had in French Blue with dual White racing stripes. Distinguishing itself on the Rallye de Lyon Charbonnieres, Spa 24-hours (class victory), Macau GP, Rallye du Maroc and Monte Carlo Rally (class victory) plus a further two Tour de Corse wins, Renault’s ‘pocket rocket’ also spawned its own race series – the R8 Cup – in which many a French driver cut their teeth. Succeeded by a 1300cc R1135 version in 1966, just 2,626 1100s were made.

Supplied new to France where it bore the number plate ‘2747 PH 69’, chassis 1134-0500846 was uprated to FIA Appendix K specification for competition usage circa 1990 (including the adoption of a R1135-style four lamp visage). Purchased by Monza-based Renault dealer Marco Messa the following year, he campaigned the Gordini on numerous events in the late 1990s and 2000s including the San Remo Rally Storico, Rally Alpi Orientali and Rallt Citti di Modena (with Roberto Chiossi also sharing the driving duties). Migrating to Austria during the 2010s, the sports saloon was further upgraded there before entering the current ownership in 2016. A Californian resident, the vendor has had Omicron Engineering Ltd of Mulbarton maintain and store the Renault on his behalf. Performing well on the Ennstal Classic (2017, 2018) and Tour Auto (2018, 2019), the Gordini started readily and ran well during our recent photography session. Pleasingly understood to retain its original powerplant (number 804-1461), the Gordini is variously described by the vendor as being in ‘good’ (stripped out interior), ‘very good’ (bodywork, paintwork, four-speed manual gearbox) or ‘excellent’ (engine, electrical equipment) condition. Potentially eligible for a host of prestigious meetings such as the Goodwood Revival, Spa Six Hours and Historic Monte Carlo Rally, ‘EFG 138C’ is offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, old FIA papers (Fiche d'Identite 0737), Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI) Certificate of Homologation, Automobile Club d’Italia CSAI Passporto Tecnico, FIVA card and paperwork file.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737