HIGHLIGHTS
- Ultra-rare Dauphine
- Genuine low mileage – 30,000km (circa 20,000 miles)
- ‘Ferlec’ semi-auto gearbox
- Largely original first-class condition
THE APPEAL
Introduced in 1957, the Renault Dauphine was the French manufacturer’s economy saloon – the equivalent, if you like, to a Ford Anglia or Morris Minor, offering comfortable, spacious transportation to the masses, but with a splash of French flair and quirkiness thrown in.
First up, it was rear-engined – something that made it quite a strong competition car thanks to its tail-happy handling. Then there was the oddball styling – rounded and different, a twist from the three-box norm of the era. Those facets make it a fascinating car today, and this one is even more curious than most.
Imported from France in the 1990s, it’s a genuine LHD example with a tiny mileage. But what makes it more interesting is its ‘Ferlec’ three-speed clutchless transmission.
You drive it like a manual, but there’s no clutch pedal. In other words, it’s simplicity itself, and a fascinating Sixties oddball that’s bound to be a talking point at shows.
You drive it like a manual, but there’s no clutch pedal. In other words, it’s simplicity itself, and a fascinating Sixties oddball that’s bound to be a talking point at shows.
Presented in superb condition and largely unrestored, it’s something refreshingly different and massively good fun – one that deserves to be seen and used rather than kept in a museum.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Imported to the UK in 1996
- Mostly original condition with local paintwork over the years
- Original MOT included
- Tax and MOT exempt
- UK V5C
- Substantial history file
- Several receipts for parts
- Ferlec transmission repair manual
- Olyslager service manual
- Transmission diagram
THE INTERIOR
- Wonderful woven cloth trim
- Unique deckchair-stripe pattern
- Read leatherette seat bases and door cards
- Excellent original ivory handles and window winders
- Black rubberised ‘Everflex’ floor covering in great order
- Superbly presented and in excellent condition throughout
- Original tool kit, wheelbrace and starting handle
- Clean, well-presented front luggage compartment with minor scuffing
- Spotless headlining
- Ivory steering wheel and dash with art-deco details
THE EXTERIOR
- Gloss black paint in largely original order
- Presents beautifully
- Has seen paint repairs over the years but not fully restored
- Underside appears solid and is wax-protected
- Minor scuffs on driver’s side
- Amazing condition inside front boot and around inner wings
- Small paint crack to leading edge of bonnet
- Minor pitting to some chrome but nothing major
- Recent new period-style tyres
- Excellent cream-painted wheels
- All badges and trim correct
- Whitewall tyres
- Period parking lamps
- Genuine ‘Ferlec’ rear badge
- Charming presentation with lovely, very gentle patina
THE MECHANICS
- 845cc OHV four-cylinder
- Recent engine overhaul with cylinder head and valve work
- Three-speed clutchless manual Ferlec transmission in great working order
- Recent new brakes, tyres and shock absorbers
- New 6v battery with isolator switch
- Starts on the button and runs beautifully
- Well-maintained
- No known or apparent faults
SUMMARY
Not only is this a genuine low-mileage classic in wonderful condition, but it’s also something completely different. If you want a fun-to-drive Sixties classic in great order, but with the added talking point of being magnificently, wonderfully weird, then here it is.
But don’t think weird means hard work – far from it. This car is a delight to drive, it works perfectly and once you get the hang of the Ferlec transmission you wonder why more cars aren’t engineered like it today, let alone 60 years ago...
