1961 RENAULT FLORIDE N° de série : 46832 Carte grise française Projet de restauration intéressant Dans les années 1960, une voiture détonne : la toute nouvelle Renault Floride/Caravelle. Avec son lancement en octobre 1958, la Régie Nationale des Usines Renault montre sa volonté de conquérir le segment des coupés et cabriolets de loisirs. Lors de sa présentation officielle au Mondial de l’Automobile de Paris, la Renault Floride reçoit un très bon accueil aussi bien du côté des journalistes que du grand public. La Renault Floride se voulant une « voiture jeune de tous les âges », le constructeur prend comme égérie « l’idole des jeunes » et icône française, Brigitte Bardot. En août 1959, elle se fait offrir une Renault Floride « blanc Kilimandjaro » lors du tournage du film « Voulez-vous danser avec moi ». La même année, Grace Kelly recevra la même attention : une Renault Floride « vert Bornéo » Elégante et raffinée, la Renault Floride/Caravelle est équipée de l’intérieur de la Renault Dauphine. Le modèle présenté (R1092) a connu trois propriétaires seulement en 62 ans d’existence, depuis sa sortie en juin 1961 (N° de série 46832). Son dernier propriétaire en prenait le plus grand soin et, à la suite de son décès, la Floride s’est endormie il y a un peu plus d’une dizaine d’année dans son box au sec, où ses héritiers l’ont conservé précieusement. Dans un état de conservation remarquable pour son âge, elle est entièrement d’origine et constitue une excellente base de restauration, avec un intérieur en très bon état, et un moteur non bloqué, à redémarrer. Le châssis est resté très sain. La voiture présente quelques traces de corrosion dont les seules zones perforantes se situent au bas des deux portières. Elle est équipée de plusieurs options comme sa boite de vitesse à 4 rapports, son hard top d’origine (type Floride), l’autoradio, deux antennes électriques à l’arrière, un store vénitien type Gradulux, et un porte bagage sur le coffre arrière. Elle possède ses documents d’origine (Carte grise française) dont le carnet de bord « Conduite et entretien (70 pages), le guide technique complet RENAULT Floride (110 pages), édités en 1960, ainsi qu’une revue technique Automobile plus complète et spécifique à ce modèle. 1961 RENAULT FLORIDE Serial number : 46832 French registration Interesting restoration project In the 1960s, one car stands out: the brand new Renault Floride/Caravelle. With its launch in October 1958, the Régie Nationale des Usines Renault shows its will to conquer the segment of leisure coupes and cabriolets. To realize their marvel, Renault turned to the Italian coachbuilder Ghia, to whom we owe the main competition of our elegant French car, the Volkswagen Karmann. To avoid any conflict of interest, the project will finally be entrusted to Pietro FRUA, "stylist" at Ghia-Aigle, subsidiary of Ghia. During its official presentation at the Paris Motor Show, the Renault Floride was very well received by journalists and the general public alike. Although its chassis/body structure is based on that of the Renault Dauphine, it is difficult to recognize the latter through the Renault Floride/Caravelle. With its size (4.27m long, 1.57m wide and 1.30m high), the whole is successful and fluid, with its air intakes on the rear wings. The particularity of this coupe/cabriolet lies in the fact that it does not have a front grille, while knowing how to keep an elegance and a French charm. The Renault Florida is a "young car of all ages", the manufacturer takes as muse "the idol of youth" and French icon, Brigitte Bardot. In August 1959, she was offered a Renault Florida "white Kilimanjaro" during the shooting of the film "Voulez-vous danser avec moi". The same year, Grace Kelly will receive the same attention: a Renault Florida "green Borneo". With its plain interiors and white sidewall tires, the little French car has something to seduce, knowing that it was available in coupe, cabriolet and convertible with a hard-top! Elegant and refined, the Renault Floride/Caravelle is equipped with the interior of the Renault Dauphine. The upholstery in imitation leather or cloth matches the color of the bodywork. The car radio is optional. The trunk is spacious enough to accommodate suitcases and bags for a weekend getaway. The spare tire is located under the trunk. It is also equipped with the same "Ventoux" engine as the Renault Dauphine Gordini: a 4-cylinder 845cm3 of 40hp in rear overhang. It is coupled to a 3-speed gearbox, two of which are synchronized. A 4-speed gearbox with two synchronized gears is also available as an option. The hydraulic braking system is provided by four large drums. Thanks to its mechanical assets, the 1959 Renault Floride can reach 125 km/h. Although it did not undergo any notable changes during its first years, we can note that in 1960, the Renault Floride/Caravelle was equipped with the Aerostable suspension and that in 1961, Renault installed a brake distributor. The presented model (R1092) has known only three owners in 62 years of existence, since its release in June 1961 (serial number 46832). Its last owner took great care of it and, following his death, the Florida fell asleep a little more than ten years ago in its dry box, where its heirs have kept it preciously. In a remarkable state of preservation for its age, it is entirely original and makes an excellent base for restoration, with an interior in very good condition, and a non-blocked engine, to be restarted. The chassis has remained very sound. The car shows some corrosion with the only perforating areas being at the bottom of the two doors. It is equipped with several options like its 4 speed gearbox, its original hard top (Florida type), the car radio, two electric antennas at the rear, a Gradulux type venetian blind, and a luggage rack on the rear trunk. It has its original documents (French registration) including the logbook " Driving and maintenance (70 pages), the complete RENAULT Floride technical guide (110 pages), published in 1960, as well as a more complete and specific car technical magazine for this model.