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 competition usage
• 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.

Thought to have begun life as a road car, chassis 1134-0500846 had migrated from France to Italy and been uprated for competition usage with a quad-light R1135-esque visage, slightly enlarged engine and twin Weber carburettors by the time that the FIA granted it an Identity Card (No. 0737) in October 1991. Subsequently campaigned by then owner Marco Messa 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), the Gordini was stabled alongside an Alpine A110. Relocating 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 car 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. Accompanying Omicron invoices from 2017-2024 show attention paid to the gear linkage, brakes, suspension geometry and fuel system etc. Now fitted with Weber DCOE 32 carburettors, the Renault was treated to a new battery and service in 2023 (£1,139.13), while last year saw it benefit from the installation of a new steering rack gaiter, Stilo WRC amplifier, Lifeline fire extinguisher and four Dunlop tyres. 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 copy FIA papers, Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI) Homologation Plaque, FIVA Identity Card and paperwork file.

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