The Renault 8 (Renault R8 until 1964) and Renault 10 are two rear-engined, rear-wheel drive small family cars produced by the French manufacturer Renault in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

The R8 (model R1130) was released in June 1962 and was based on the Renault Dauphine with which it shared its basic architecture and its 2,270 mm wheelbase.

The style, closely following that of the first prototype produced, at unusually short notice, by Philippe Charbonneaux, was fashionably boxy; however, while the Renault 8 was actually 30 mm narrower than the Dauphine, the manufacturer was able to install thick cushioned front seats that were actually each wider than that of the Dauphine.

The R8’s engine followed the pioneering example of the recently introduced Renault 4 by incorporating a sealed for life cooling system.

A distinctive innovation on the French produced cars was the fitting of four-wheel disc brakes, a first for a saloon car of this size.

The R8 Major (model R1132), was released ...