THE QUEEN’S RENAULT DAUPHINE

The year is 1968, and a young motoring enthusiast named Garry Dickens has just encountered a well-used Dauphine in the yard of a Somerset car dealer. At that time, it was in a rather sorry condition, but its history was unique. On 10^th April 1957, HM The Queen toured Renault’s factory during her visit to France, where the company’s management gave a new Dauphine. And eleven years later, Mr. Dickens acquired the former Royal transport 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. Until 1961 Renault built the British-market versions in their Acton factory to circumvent import duties, resulting in the memorable advertisement “Brilliantly designed in Paris and fully assembled in London, the Dauphine is a delightful demonstration of the Entente Cordiale”. The small Renault was also one of the first cars extensively marketed on ITV, and in 1957, the British plant built a very exclusive Dauphine.

One reason for building a car for Her Majesty from components sent from Flins to the UK was that it symbolised Anglo-French cooperation - another was that the London operation produced RHD vehicles. The Dauphine’s paint finish was pastel blue, complemented by chrome wire wheels, white-wall tyres, and navy blue leather upholstery. The company shipped the finished car to France, and on 8^th April, 10 Acton workers and the factory’s general manager flew to France for the presentation. It was the first aeroplane journey and the first trip aboard for many Renault GB employees.

The cover story of 11^th April 1957 edition of The Daily Mirror was “A Baby Car For The Queen”, while The Illustrated London News wrote that the Dauphine “obviously delighted Her Majesty”. However, four years later, as the story goes, a member of the Royal Household rolled it, so the Renault was scrapped. In reality, by 1963, a Somerset dealer had acquired 362 GLM, and its next owner was a Revd. Moss who used it as his “daily driver”. Sadly, the Dauphine’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, and in 1968, it was residing in a filling station outside of Bridgewater, where Mr. Dickens discovered it. 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. £5, plus a RAC badge and two pre-war copies of Autocar, changed hands, and the new owner refurbished the Renault. In 1971 he advertised its sale 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 join the Royal Household. Even it is unknown whether Her Late Majesty ever saw the 1956 magazine advertisement promising “Performance Right Royal”.

With Thanks To: Garry Dickens