That the sporty Renault 8 Gordini was not only successful in France is proven by this example from February 1969.
The first owner is Hungarian rider Attila Ferjáncz, a nine-time Hungarian rally champion, who has won 22 European Rally Championship races in the course of his career. In 1967 he appears for the first time at the start with a Renault 8 Gordini during the Donau Rallye. In the years 1969, '70 and '71, Ferjáncz wins the 1300 class of the Hungarian championship with an R8 Gordini. With this car he triumphed for the first time in this championship.
The car remained in use for one season, because in May 1970 he exchanged the R8 in Budapest for a new one for the next season. Atilla was followed by two other owners and in 2005 the 'Gord' came into the hands of someone who restored it completely. This, by the way, while maintaining the competition configuration such as bucket seats, modern belts and a rollbar.
The original 1300 Gordini engine is then too far gone to be overhauled. That's why the owner chooses a different, but identical engine which is completely restored to the original configuration. An exception is the air filter housing which is replaced by cups, which gives the engine an advantage in terms of power. The car is fitted with wide steel wheels with Yokohama tyres that require a discreet adjustment of the front mudguard openings. In addition to the exceptional condition this car is in, this 8 Gordini offers an equally good track record. And that makes it a real collector's item!
Attila remained faithful to Renault for a long time. Until the 1971 season he drove 8 Gordini's. After that he switched to the 12 Gordini (1972-1974). Then an Alpine A110 1800 came around the corner (season '74 and '75). With a 17 Gordini he drove from 1976 until the beginning of 1978. Until 1981 he drove several examples of the Renault 5 Alpine followed by the Renault 5 Turbo (1981-1985).
En détail...
Renault 8 Gordini 1300 (R1135)
Specifications
Engine:
Type 812-00, 4 cylinder petrol, bore x stroke 74.5 x 72 mm, cylinder capacity 1,255 cc. Power 110 SAE hp at 6,750 rpm, torque 99 Nm, compression ratio 10.5:1. 2 carburettor Weber 40 DCOE, electrical system 12 Volt.
Gear box:
Type 353-03, five forward and one reverse speeds, gear ratios 1st - 3.61, 2nd - 2.36, 3rd - 1.69, 4th - 1.29, 5th - 1.03, reverse - 3.07, final transmission 8 x 33. Tyres 135x380.
Dimensions/weights:
Length 3.995 mm, width 1.490 mm (without mirrors), height 1.380 mm, wheelbase 2.270 mm. Ground clearance 150 - 117 mm (empty/loaded). Turning circle 9.25 metres (between sidewalks).
Weight: 855 kg. Tank capacity 38 litres rear and 26 litres front. Crankcase capacity 2.5 litres + 0.3 and 0.4 litres for the oil filter and oil cooler. Gearbox oil 2 litres.
Performance:
Top speed +175 km/h.