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GORDINI, THE LEGACY OF A "SORCERER"

The Gordini story is all about a determined and inventive man who knew mechanics inside out and a series of vehicles that marked motor sport history, spearheaded by the iconic blue and white Renault 8.

The creator with his creature, the Renault 8 Gordini

Once upon a time... 

1899. Birth of Amadeo Gordini in Bazzano near Bologna. He is fascinated by mechanics at an early age and does all he can to succeed in the field.


1925. Amadeo Gordini emigrates to France and finds a job at the Cattaneo garage in Suresnes outside Paris. A gifted mechanic, he works in the 1930s on enhancing Fiat and Simca powertrains. In the following years, Gordini-prepared cars stand out in events including the Le Mans 24 Hours. 

 

1938. Journalist Charles Faroux admires the performance of Gordini-worked cars, going so far as to say that the powertrains could only be the work of magic. Amédée Gordini (having changed his first name when he became a French citizen) would henceforth be known as "le Sorcier" (the “Sorcerer)”.


1950. The first year of the Manufacturers World Championship. Amédée Gordini starts competing in the event. He notches up an impressive performance or two but finances remain shaky.

Start of the Renault-Gordini partnership 

1956. Amédée Gordini meets Pierre Dreyfus, chairman of La Régie Renault, to strike up a partnership. Renault tries out his abilities by asking him to improve its gearboxes. The results are convincing and Gordini's workshop starts work on enhancing the Dauphine engine.

1957. Renault and Gordini sign an agreement on January 1 for an order of 10,000 Dauphine Gordini models. The first car is launched in October and success is immediate. Outside it looks just like a regular Dauphine. The difference is under the hood, with a reworked cylinder head, inclined valves with new intake and exhaust ducts, and redesigned intake and exhaust manifolds. These changes are introduced without disrupting the production lines for other Dauphine models. The result: extra driving thrills at a very reasonable price!

 

1964. A Renault 8 Gordini is launched that reaches a top speed of 170 kph and covers a kilometer in 33 seconds. A sports model well-adapted to road driving, the Renault 8 Gordini offers unrivalled value for money. It also features an inimitable look, with blue France 418 paintwork accentuated by two white decal strips. More than 2,600 models are produced in the first year.

A zenith reached with the Renault 8 Gordini 

1966. On an initiative from three journalists – Alain Bertaut, Paul Dupuis and Georges Fraichard – Renault and Elf launch the Coupe Gordini, an event that makes motor racing accessible to all. The first competition includes several disciplines (hill climbing, track, rally) in which all Gordini drivers are awarded points. From 1967 on, the Coupe focuses on track racing. With no vehicle modifications allowed, all kinds of drivers, from garage mechanics to enthusiasts, get to show off all of their driving skills. Numerous drivers begin their career at the event, including Jabouille, Darniche and Serpaggi.

 

1970. “G Day” is celebrated in mid-summer at the Le Castellet track in the south of France. Thousands of ‘Gordinists’ come from all over France, and from Spain and Belgium, to celebrate the blue and white Renault 8 – and the launch of the Renault 12 Gordini! The new model is front-wheel drive, breaking with the “everything at the back” oversteer philosophy. Many fans are doubtful about the newcomer, but the Renault 12 Gordini appears in the brand catalog in the autumn. In 1971, the Coupe Gordini featured Renault 12 models exclusively. Despite all this, and because of the oil crisis, success is not on the cards, and only 5,000 units are produced between 1970 and 1974.

 

1975. After Renault stops making the 12 Gordini, it re-baptizes the Renault 17 TS with the Gordini name. The “Sorcerer” is not involved in development, but the car inherits all the strong qualities of its forerunner, including the five-speed gearbox, chassis and suspension system, and goes on to establish a strong rally career in France and also in eastern Europe. 


1979. Amédée Gordini dies at the age of 79. One year earlier, he watches the victory of the Renault Alpine at the Le Mans 24 Hours, powered by a V6 Turbo bearing the Renault Gordini signature. His name has become synonymous with sport and speed.

Also on Renault.com

THE NUMBER

11,607

It's the total number of Renault 8 Gordini produced between 1964 and 1970. Most of them appear with the classic blue and white stripes color but white and red (from 1967) and yellow (after 1969) colors also exists!

DID YOU KNOW?

2 versions

The Renault 8 Gordini has been available with two different engines. The 1,100 (Years 1964-1966) and the 1,300 (Years 1967-1970). This version had an increased power, featured 5 Speed Gearbox and a second fuel tank on the front.