These Renault 8 looked alike, but their differences were beyond its body and interior. Under its rear bonnets, Gordini engine power to half his Spanish. What a classic!

Well, maybe the difference between the Renault 8 Gordini and Renault 8 TS were not so different, because the base engine was still even the same, but several modifications deep draft made it seem another. We felt some curiosity to ascertain to what extent they were so different these two true classics and there was only one way to do it: give a TS Gordini and in good condition for comparison “in situ” firsthand. We were lucky, we locate these two exceptional examples not far from each other in Tiana and Caldes de Montbui respectively held by two gentiles collectors who immediately accepted our proposal.

That’s the Renault 8 TS

We started by Renault 8 TS Jaume Vila lancer-mechanical like his father, Jaume Vila senior-, impeccable inside and outside absolute number that rare thing, even preserves the original hubcaps car. He belonged to the president of the Alpine Club Catalunya, Jaume Segarra -always the ineffable name arises when we talk about all atrás- Renault and now part of the varied collection of the Vila. “At home and it was a TS explains his owner-. My father bought when he married again. It was the family car for years, we made trips to Andorra, we went on vacation, etc. So TS looked much, and it was read more orange! Then he sold and after passing through several hands ended up coming home. I was 17 and I could not think anything but prepare for autocross: bars, wheels, engine touched … I just gutted In what moment the idea crossed my mind! Finally, we keep still, but made a wreck. TS wanted a good collection, so when the opportunity came to stay the Sagarra did not hesitate. You know, it’s a purist, his car was the best he had seen and I’m very demanding. Man, it’s no Gordini but with its 53 hp doing very fine, it is a pleasure to use it often. “

Indeed, Renault 8 TS is like silk. He had never driven even a regular R8, so the TS surprised me favorably. Its smooth operation, enlivened by the characteristic purr of the engine, makes one doubt that the car has forty years. offers good steering feel, at all times it lets you know where to tread the front axle, and without any shot shows liveliness and agility.

The twisty road but quiet La Roca Orrius is ideal for exploring the dynamic qualities of TS whose rear sends us a warning whenever you want to break away from the racing line site. He vague touch of the shift lever requires some adaptation, but the car is pleasant to handle and quite comfortable; the seats are comfortable and hold well, and woodgrain dashboard gives much the trick. I would say that aesthetically, the interior is even better achieved French than his older brother.

Technical Renault R8 TS

Motor4-cylinder inline

Position: Longitudinal rear

displacement: 1.108 cm3

Feeding: Carburetor Weber 32 double DRC body and mechanical fuel pump

Power60 CV (SAE) at 5,500 rpm

Maximum speed145 km / h

Acceleration 0-1000 m: 39 seconds

production time: 1968-1976

built units: 15,978

That’s the Renault 8 Gordini

We turn now to Renault 8 Gordini Josep-Marc Sabater, retired surveyor and amateur pilot business all his life, which retains several, both classic and current race cars. Owner fascinating Alpine A-110 1600 S Group 4, craved an R8 Gordini in its collection. “I’d run a TS I prepared thoroughly in my youth, he says, but he saw the Gordini admiringly, as almost unattainable. While it appeared in southern France and went to look for him. I brought a lot of parts. It was fine, but I wanted to put in the hands of Luis Alcalá, which as you can see has left really fine “.

Nothing else start it notice that this is something else. Until Pere, usually serious and circumspect, smiling hear the roar of the Renault 8 Gordini engine. A low speed walks like a normal car, we could use it to go get the bread but we walked on (clear with sharp turns and visibility stretch) leaves the beast within. I’m not Ragnotti, bien sûr, although I’m realizing where the shots go. One morning sitting beside the Gordini was intensely training to learn as a whole moves back to 100 hp…

I am amazed at how much walking this R8, how well it holds on the asphalt and docile is to bring. Now I understand what you told me years ago some of my French friends, automotive journalists and veterans. I always thought it a bit exaggerated patriotism or chauvinism certainly, but I prove them right. I could see that I was wrong: the R8 Gordini, with its well-primed by two big engine Weber must have fallen like manna from heaven on quemadillos of the time; -two balanced chassis and dampers wheel back and stabilizing discs on both axles, two gasoline tanks He taught an entire generation of pilots Enlisted in its formula promotion how he had to fight the wheel. Like what would become the Spanish TS Cup, but with twice the horses pushing back.

Technical Renault R8 Gordini

Motor4-cylinder inline

Position: Longitudinal rear

displacement: 1.255 cm3

Feeding: Two Weber carburetors double body 40 DCOE

Power: 103 CV (SAE) at 6,750 rpm

Maximum speed175 km / h

Acceleration 0-1000 m: 32 s

production time: 1966-1970

built units: 8,981

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