The Renault Floride takes its name from the American state of Florida where following a national convention of Renault distributors a call was made for Renault to build a coupe and cabriolet version of the Renault Dauphine. Pietro Frua working at Carrozzeria Ghia designed the Renault Floride and it was exhibited at the 1958 Salon de Paris. In 1959 the Floride was launched in North America as the Renault Caravelle, the name 'Caravelle' being chosen in case people didn't agree with the name of the state of Florida being on the car. Production ended in 1968 after 117,000 were made. Its spiritual successor was launched in 1971 as the Renault 15 and 17
aa Renault Floride 1962 convertible badge
Renault Floride 1962 convertible - badge on front wing. The name 'Floride' came from the state of Florida when a convention of North American Renault dealers suggested a coupe and convertible version of the Dauphine. In order not to alienate other American states the name 'Floride' was changed ro 'Caravelle' for many English-speaking markets, and adopted across the range from 1962.
ac Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible head
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible. The Caravelle started out as the Renault Floride (named after the state of Florida) but that name was only used in Europe and North America got 'Caravelle'. By the 1964 they were all called 'Caravelle' and were given 1,108cc power from the Renault 8
ac Renault Floride 1962 convertible head
Renault Floride 1962 convertible. Originally given the 845cc Renault Dauphine engine, the Floride was upgraded to the 956cc 'Sierra' engine and then the 1,108cc engine and was renamed 'Caravelle'
Renault Caravelle 1965 hardtop front
Renault Caravelle 1965 hardtop. Design by Pietro Frua at Carrozzeria Ghia, the Caravelle started life as a design study on the Renault Dauphine for the 1958 Paris Salon. For 1964 'CARAVELLE' was spelled out on the fronr panel
Renault Caravelle 1965 hardtop rear
Renault Caravelle 1965 hardtop. Mechanical upgrades ran in parallel with Dauphine and then Renault 8 cars, so in 1964 the 1,108cc engine from the Renault 8 was given to the Caravelle.
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible front
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible. The Caravelle dropped the name 'Floride' in 1964 when the 1100 version was launched
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible rear
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible. The Caravelle continued the design created by Pietro Frua. It was now powered by an 1,108cc version of the 'Sierra' engine.
Renault Floride 1961 Spider front
Renault Floride 1961 Spider. Designed by Pietro Frua, after he had left Ghia.
Renault Floride 1961 Spider rear
Renault Floride 1961 Spider, Mechanically the Renault Floride was built on the floorpan of the Renault Dauphine. The 845cc Dauphine 'Ventoux' engine provided 37bhp, but Amedee Gordini quickly developed a 40bhp option. In 1962 it acquired the new 956cc 'Sierra' engine which would be given to the Renault 8 also launched in 1962. In 1964 the Cravelle was given the 1,108cc engine,
Renault Floride 1962 convertible front
Renault Floride 1962 Convertible. This is the convertible Floride with detachable hardtop. There was also a coupe version with a larger cabin as well as a cabriolet model
Renault Floride convertible 1962 rear
Renault Floride 1962 Hardtop. Designed by Pietro Frua at Carrozzeria Ghia and Renault produced it themselves
Renault Floride S 1962 front
Renault Floride S 1962. Built only in 1962 the Floride S used the 956cc 'Sierra' engine in place of the 845cc 'Ventoux' engine from the Dauphine
w Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible inside
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible. Interior
t Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible tail
Renault Caravelle 1966 Convertible. For 1966 the 'Sierra' 1,108cc engine from the Renault 8 is given a twin choke Weber and 57.5bhp
Renault Dauphine 1958 front
Renault Dauphine 1958. Though intended to replace the 4CV in 1956, it was conceived as a 5CV car and the 4CV was not retired until 1960. The Dauphine was given a conventional 3-box body, losing the beetle-back of the 4CV
Renault 8 1962 charente
Renault 8 1962. Renault replaced their Dauphine with the Renault 8 still with rear engine.
Alpine A106 1956 Mille Miles front
Alpine A106 1956 Mille Miles. Production commenced in 1955 of the Alpine A106, and following a class win in the 1956 Mille Miglia race, a 'Mille Miles" option was available with quadruple rear shock absorbers and a rare 5-speed gearbox.
Simca Aronde 90A Sport Oceane front
Simca Aronde 90A Sport Oceane. The Oceane was a sporting version of the Aronde 90A sold as a cabriolet somewhat resembling a Ford Thunderbird. It was also sold as the 'Plein Ciel' which was a fixed head coupe. Both were built by Facel-Metallon for Simca.
Renault 15 TS 1972 front
Renault 15 TS 1972. The 15 TS was given a 1,565cc engine tuned to 90bhp, rather than 1,289cc unit used in the 15 TL