the Renault workhorse
Estafette
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THE GENDARMES’
FAVOURITE
THE GENDARMES’
FAVOURITE
Best-known as the French gendarmes van (an image no doubt fuelled by the well-known Gendarmes films of the time), Renault Estafette was the emblematic utility vehicle of the 30 Glorieuses post-war period. With its vast loading area, the sliding door on the driver’s side and its multiple variants for every kind of use, Renault Estafette was favoured by every kind of professional.
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:quality(80))
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spirit
ALL THAT VOLUME
ALL THAT VOLUME
Renault Estafette was first and foremost designed for professionals. And Renault did its utmost to make their life easier. For example, the sliding driver’s door meant you could still get out of the vehicle, even when parking space was tight. The low floor, the engine over the front axle, and the front-wheel drive configuration all allowed for maximum useful volume to carry an array of goods and equipment. A real workhorse!
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interior
PRO
THINKING
PRO
THINKING
Over its long career (which ended in 1980), Renault Estafette was adapted to create countless versions for every kind of professional use (and for campers too): pick-up, raised van, extended van, 9-seater minibus, camper van, and so on. This diversity sprang from real know-how which Renault continued to develop.
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original soundtrack
LISTEN TO
THIS PLAYLIST
LISTEN TO
THIS PLAYLIST
The sounds that go with Renault Estafette hint at a job well done and the right tools for the job. If the van is empty, you almost hear an echo as you shut the door, it’s so roomy in there!
archives
FIRST !
FIRST !
In 1900, Renault was one of the first automakers to develop light commercial vehicles. Launched in 1959, Renault Estafette was the latest addition to a long lineage. It can even boast of being ahead of the Renault 4. That’s right.... Renault Estafette was Renault’s first front-wheel drive model, before the famous “4L” (which was Renault’s first front-wheel drive passenger car).
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style
BEHIND
THE SCENES
BEHIND
THE SCENES
With its instantly recognisable face, Renault Estafette was a real charmer. And to make us love it that little bit more, it came with a sliding side door which enabled the driver to manoeuvre with the door open for careful parking. A big help when reversing into a tight spot!
technical features
FIRST RENAULT
FRONT-WHEEL
DRIVE
FIRST RENAULT
FRONT-WHEEL
DRIVE
- production
530,000 units from 1959 to 1980
- Performance and engine
from 845 cm3 to 1,289 cm3
32-45 hp depending on version
- dimensionsLength from 4.10 m to 4.48 m, depending on versionWidth 1,78 mHeight from 1.92 m to 2.27 m, depending on version
- architecture
front-wheel drive
longitudinal engine placed over the front axle between the two seats
low floor
The Originals Store
SOMETHING
TO CELEBRATE?
(or to say sorry?!)
SOMETHING
TO CELEBRATE?
(or to say sorry?!)
If so, treat yourself to a few Renault Estafette souvenirs.
heritage
GIVE AND
RECEIVE
GIVE AND
RECEIVE
In the 1950s, Renault started to develop composite materials, particularly for Renault Etoile Filante. This research later resulted in the roof on the raised versions of Renault Estafette, the first major bodywork component made from composite materials by Renault in Choisy. That roof then inspired the composite bumpers on Renault 15 and 17, and became more widespread with the launch of Renault R5. Adieu to the metal bumper!
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:quality(20))
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