A RENAULT FIT FOR A QUEEN – THE STORY OF THE ROYAL DAUPHINE

The year is 1968, and a young motoring enthusiast named Garry Dickens encounters a Dauphine in the yard of a Somerset car dealer. At that time, it was in a rather sorry condition, but its history was undeniably fascinating. In April of 1957, Her Majesty The Queen toured Renault’s factory during her visit to France, and the company’s management presented her with a new Dauphine. Eleven years later, the former Royal transport was sold for a mere £5.

The Dauphine made its bow in 1956, and by the following year, it was already becoming a familiar sight on British roads. The Renault GB advertisements claimed: “Brilliantly designed in Paris and fully assembled in London, the Dauphine is a delightful demonstration of the Entente Cordiale”. It was also one of the first cars to be extensively advertised on ITV.

And in 1957, Renault’s Acton plant assembled a very special Dauphine, one with pastel blue coachwork, chrome wire wheels, white-wall tyres and a leather-trimmed interior. It was flown to France, accompanied by ten London workers, for the ceremony. Naturally, the UK dealers made a great deal of the event – “F. E. Crowe is proud to announce that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has accepted the gift of a Dauphine for her personal use”, proclaimed one Northern Ireland outlet. The message was clear – buy a new Renault and enjoy social distinction generally lacking in your average Ford Prefect 100E or Standard Ten.

The Dauphine was rumoured to have been rolled by a member of the Royal Household in 1961 but in reality, 362 GLM was acquired by a Somerset Renault dealer in 1963. He then sold it to a Revd. Moss who used the Dauphine as his daily driver, but its condition rapidly deteriorated during this time. By 1968 it was residing in a filling station outside of Bridgewater where it was discovered by Mr. Dickens. He had long been interested in the Renault and agreed to buy it for the munificent sum of £5.

The Dauphine remained part of Garry’s fleet until 1970, when he agreed to sell it to John Edwards, a member of an Exeter car club who wished to restore it. Some £15, plus a RAC badge and two pre-war copies of Autocar changed hands, and the Renault was indeed refurbished. In 1971 Mr. Edwards advertised the Renault in Motor Sport but shortly before he met with a prospective buyer, he encountered typical October weather.

The Dauphine skidded on the wet road and overturned, but, fortunately, the driver was unharmed. Sadly, the Renault was scrapped by the attending breakdown garage in lieu of recovery fees, ending the story of one of the most fascinating vehicles ever to grace the Royal Mews. Even if it is unknown whether Her Majesty read the 1956 magazine advertisement promising ‘Performance Right Royal’.

With Thanks To: Garry Dickens

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