Renault Dauphine Gordini to Compete in Tour Auto 2026

Renault confirms Dauphine Gordini 1968 entry in Tour Auto 2026, marking the model’s 70th anniversary with participation in historic rally across France.

Renault is entering the 2026 Tour Auto with a rare 1968 Dauphine Gordini — a car preserved in its original factory configuration, complete with matching engine and gearbox and showing just 7,800 kilometers. This is not simply a historic rally appearance, but a demonstration of how a classic model continues to live on the road rather than remain confined to collections.

The event will run from May 4 to May 9, following a route from Paris to Biarritz with stops in Clermont-Ferrand, Pont du Gard, Toulouse and Pau. Crews will cover around 2,200 kilometers and take to circuits including Nevers Magny-Cours, Albi, Nogaro and Pau-Arnos. Renault will compete in the regularity category, where precision and consistency matter more than outright speed — a format that aligns closely with the nature of historic vehicles.

The choice of model highlights a deeper historical narrative. Introduced in 1956, the Renault Dauphine sold more than 2.1 million units worldwide and became one of the brand’s first global successes, even briefly outperforming the Volkswagen Beetle in the United States. The Gordini version emerged from collaboration with engineer Amedee Gordini, who enhanced performance while retaining the car’s accessible character.

That transformation quickly translated into motorsport success. The Dauphine secured victory at the 1958 Rallye Monte Carlo and also won the Tour de Corse, despite its relatively modest 845 cc engine. These results established its reputation as a lightweight, reliable and well-balanced competitor capable of challenging more powerful rivals.

Renault’s return to the Tour Auto in 2026 is tied directly to the model’s 70th anniversary. After being presented at Retromobile 2026, the same car now returns to active use, reinforcing the idea that historic vehicles are meant to be driven, not only displayed.

The Dauphine Gordini will run in the colors of The Originals Renault Garage, a network dedicated to servicing and restoring classic Renault models. Initially launched with a limited number of sites in France, the network has been expanding to provide owners with access to technical expertise, original parts and specialized maintenance.

Behind the wheel will be automotive journalist and collector Francois Allain, joined by his son. Their participation reflects a central aspect of the Tour Auto spirit: preserving automotive heritage through shared experience and real-world driving rather than static conservation.

The Tour Auto itself, revived in 1992 from the original Tour de France Automobile, is now one of the leading historic motoring events. It brings together cars from the 1951–1973 era and combines road stages with circuit racing, offering a comprehensive view of classic motorsport.

In this context, Renault’s entry appears as a natural continuation of its heritage strategy — moving beyond exhibitions and into active demonstration, returning historic machines to the environments for which they were originally built.