1963 Renault Dauphine Gordini - Project Car

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there were a lot of good things about the Renault Dauphine. There were a lot of bad things, too. One of the bad things was power, specifically the lack of it. The stock Dauphine engine developed a whopping 27 horsepower. It took the car 37 seconds to reach 60 MPH. (Count that out in your head... Imagine trying to blend into highway traffic.)

The Dauphine Gordini addressed that. Sort of. With a 4 speed transmission replacing the standard 3 speed and and engine tuned to 37 HP, the Gordini took "only" 30 seconds to reach 60.

This Dauphine Gordini is a project. While it's now in New Hampshire, it was an Arizona car and has little rust. It runs, but the seller says the carb, a Solex, needs rebuilding. Included with the car are a bunch of spare parts along with restoration parts.

There are two ways you could go with this car. You could restore it to the way it was when it left the showroom. You would then have a very cool, very unique car to drive (slowly) to shows. Or you could spend a little extra money and add some performance mods. (I've been told an R5 engine just about bolts right in, but I've never seen it done.) As much as I usually chant the mantra of originality, if I were to buy this car I'd do the latter.

Located in Somersworth, NH, click here to see the Craigslist ad.

A big thanks to JaCG reader, Gene, for sending me the link to this car!