Pictures Artcurial & Xavier de Nombel

In November 1950, Renault launched the large, four-door Frégate but at that time, the car was not yet ready for production. New legislation from the first of January 1951 forced the Régie to present the top model much earlier than planned and actual production and delivery was delayed for almost a year after that. Up to 1960, Renault produced two bodywork variants, the four-door saloon and an estate car called the Domaine or Manoir, depending on the version. However, it did not stop there as various coachbuilders turned their attention to this elegantly lined car. For example, Letourneur et Marchand and Henri Chapron were well known for their convertible and coupé models that were very popular on boulevards and at concours d'elegances. Beautiful creations that added  that extra bit of exclusivity to the Frégate.

The fact that Renault was also playing with the idea of supplying more bodywork versions was demonstrated when a Frégate Ondine Cabriolet was exhibited on the company's stand at the 1953 Paris Car Show. It was designed by Ghia, the Italian designer with whom Renault had maintained a close relationship for a long time. Ghia took a Frégate Amiral as a starting point and designed an all-plastic cabriolet bodywork for it. The basic car was in fact simply taken off the production line. In terms of equipment, the car was converted  to a higher level of specification at Billancourt. The interior was upholstered in beautiful leather, the car had its own leather luggage set and it was, of course, equipped with a radio.

The smooth bodywork of this unique example was the work of Ghia's artistic director, Luigi Ségré. The public who came face to face with the model at the Paris Motor Show gave nothing but an enthusiastic response and as a concept, the Frégate Ondine proved to be a huge success. However, if Renault really intended to put the car into production, the price would be so high that the potential buyer group would be very limited in size.

Nevertheless, Renault did not immediately abandon this beautiful creation as in 1957 there were still three prototype models in polyester in the development department. Cars bearing the numbers 741, 742 and 743. Nowadays, there is no trace of the last two, nor of the one exhibited in Paris in 1953 and extensive research has not led to the history of this trio. This means that only convertible number 741 still exists bearing the chassis number 2 434 085 and an engine plate showing the serial number 8477. According to the documentation, the car was delivered to Garage Rey on the 15th  April 1957 and then this unique creation was sold on the 20th June to a customer in the Isère region, south-west of Lyon.

It was then quiet for a long time until the Frégate reappeared in the same region in January 1968. The new owner was Marcel Giron, who at the time recalled that the car was used by Edith Piaf in the years long before he bought it. The history file that accompanied the car included a list of five named individuals who independently confirmed that the famous singer actually used the car. It was for publicity purposes probably between 1953 and early 1957 as this was not uncommon in those days. For example, another Frégate Ondine Cabriolet was entrusted to Jacques Goddet, director of the Tour de France in 1955 who drove the car at the front of the procession and was cheered on by millions. It is therefore quite possible that a celebrity like Edith Piaf, who adored convertibles, was allowed to use this model, the Etudes 741, for a while.

The history of this car continues from 1969 until 2008. The Frégate had six different owners in succession, including the automobile museum in Reims run by Philippe Charbonneaux. The Frégate Ondine remained there until 1992 without being restored. In 1993, the new owner M. Robardey undertook a high-quality restoration that lasted four years. The next owner bought the beautiful convertible in July 2008 and has always taken good care of it.

As the bodywork of this Ondine Cabriolet is completely different, only after opening the doors, bonnet and boot lid the familiar elements of the Frégate become visible. The most striking element is the dashboard with a round clock in the middle and two 'wings' with additional instruments and warning lights. The entire central section of the dashboard is familiar, as is the steering wheel with the gear lever on the steering column directly behind it. Under the bonnet lies not only the familiar four-cylinder engine, but also the inner wings of the standard Frégate are also clearly recognisable. In the boot, the bodywork is equally familiar.

For several reasons, this is a very special car. Not only because of its history with Edith Piaf, but also because this is a car from a very well-known coachbuilder that made the bodywork entirely of polyester. This is why this Renault deserves its place at the most exclusive exhibitions and may be seen at the most prestigious concours d'elegances.

At Rétromobile in Paris in February 2016, auction house Artcurial offered this open Renault for auction.  The pre-sale estimate was 80,000 to 100,000 euros and the car was eventually sold for 77,500 euros including auction fees. Three years later, the same car was offered for sale again by the same auction house at the same location.  Estimated price: again 80,000 to 100,000 euros. But the car did not appear in the auction results so perhaps the owner changed his mind beforehand.

En détail...

Renault Frégate Ondine 1953

Engine:

4 cylinder OHV, displacement 1,996 cc, bore x stroke 85 x 88 mm, compression ratio 6.6:1, torque 13.4 mkg at 2,300 tr/min, rotational speed 4,200 tr/min at 130 km/h.

Gearbox:

Four-speed forward, transmission 1st - 3.18, 2nd - 1.72, 3rd - 1.16, 4th - 0.84, reverse - 3.18.  Swingarm 7 x 34. Independent wheel suspension with shock absorbers mounted vertically in the coil springs. System Bendix brakes, hydraulic (Lockheed), double wheel brake cylinders at front wheels. Handbrake mechanical on the rear wheels.

Dimensions:

Track width 1.400 metres, wheelbase 2.800 metres, capacity oil sump 4 litres, cooling system 10 litres, fuel tank 58 litres.

Performance:

250 metres from standstill in 17 seconds, top speed 130 km/h.

Fuel consumption 10 litres/100 km (at a speed of 80-90 km/h).