Justin’s 1960 Renault Dauphine - “Le Brute”

What is a Renault Dauphine?

The 1960 Renault Dauphine was a charming, rear-engine French compact car designed for efficiency and style. Powered by a 845cc inline-four, it produced a modest 32 horsepower, making it more about cruising than speed. Lightweight and nimble, the Dauphine was a practical city car with a smooth ride, thanks to its soft suspension. Its curvy, elegant design and quirky personality made it a European favorite, though its leisurely acceleration and susceptibility to rust kept it from widespread acclaim. Today, it’s a nostalgic classic, loved for its vintage charm and its role in making affordable cars accessible worldwide.

What makes the dauphine unique?

The Renault Dauphine was more than just a small economy car—it was an engineering statement that combined style, practicality, and innovation. Whether as an efficient city car, a motorsport underdog, or a cultural icon, the Dauphine helped shape the world of European automobiles and remains a beloved piece of French automotive history.

The 1960 Renault Dauphine is special because it represents French ingenuity in small car design, offering a balance of elegance, efficiency, and accessibility in a time when post-war Europe needed affordable mobility. While it wasn’t a performance car, it became an iconic piece of French automotive history, beloved for its charming personality and practicality.

The Dauphine featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled 845cc inline-four, producing 32 horsepower—modest, but sufficient for city driving. The rear-engine layout, similar to the Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500, provided good traction and a smooth ride, making it ideal for navigating narrow European streets.