François Allain in Dauphine Gordini at the 2026 Tour Auto

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dauphine, journalist François Allain pilots an exceptional 1968 model at the Tour Auto.

One of the main attractions of the 2026 Tour Auto is undoubtedly the Dauphine Gordini entered by Renault. This 1968 model (type R1095) represents the peak of the model’s evolution, notably thanks to its four disc brakes.

This unit, coming out of the Creil factories, shows an exceptional state of preservation:

• Only 7,800 original kilometers.
• Matching numbers (engine and gearbox from the period).
• Strictly preserved original configuration.

This vehicle embodies the heritage of “popular sportiness” initiated by the collaboration between Renault and engine manufacturer Amédée Gordini.

François Allain: Expertise behind the wheel

To drive this icon from Paris to Biarritz, Renault chose François Allain. A renowned automotive journalist and classic car expert, he embodies the passion and technical knowledge of the diamond brand’s heritage.

The crew focuses on camaraderie and sharing:

• Driver François Allain, ambassador *The Originals Renault Garage*.
• Co-driver: Oscar Allain, his son, for a family adventure.
• Category Regularity, focusing on precision and mechanical reliability.

A historical record in sight

By entering the Dauphine on the roads of the Tour Auto, Renault reminds us that this model was a formidable rally machine. Victorious at the Tour de Cors (1956, 1959) and Rally Monte-Carlo (1958), the Dauphine proved that an agile mechanical design could prevail against much more powerful competitors.

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The car’s passage under the colors of The Originals Renault Garage emphasizes the network’s commitment to driving these legends in the real conditions of a major historic rally.

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