The Renault Estafette van was somewhat inspired by the run away success of the Citroen H-Van. However, it gave Renault a few headaches on how to make a lightweight economical van as practical as the H-van when the parts bin of Renault only had rear drive engines. Renault were thus forced to produce their first ever front wheel drive vehicle by creating a special version of the 845cc Billancourt engine intended for the rear drive Dauphine; in 1962 the van was upgraded to the Renault Cleon-Fonte 1,108cc engine. Launched in 1959 the Estafette was named after the Italian word for Courier ('Staffetta'). The Estafette 600 was offered as a van with a 3-piece rear door, as well as the possibility of sliding side doors, sliding passenger door, high roof, and pickup versions. In 1962 the Estafette 800 was announced with the new 1,108cc engine, and the Estafette 1000 went on sale in 1968 with a 1,289cc engine, and the grille was restyled in 1973. 533,000 Estafettes were made in France between 1959 and 1980, but production continued for a while in Mexico and Romania (Dacia).