The story must have begun in the United States. The Renault 4 CV and its successor the Dauphine sold fairly well in the US in the fifties, but lost market share to Volkswagen. Volkswagen not only sold the well-known Bobla, but had also started selling the Karmann Ghia, a sports car based on the Bobla. During the 50s, American car buyers had fallen in love with simple sports cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford T-bird. The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia filled this need. It was more simply motorized than its American brothers, but cost far less.
Florida (Series I)
In 1958, Renault presented its new sports car, the Floride, based on the Dauphine. The car got an 845 ccm Dauphine engine with 37 HP. Renault's American-inspired car was launched in the USA a year later, then under the name "Caravelle". The name "Floride" - Florida in French - probably did not appeal to most Americans.
Floride/Caravelle (Series II)
In 1962, the Dauphine was replaced by the Renault 8. The improvements under the shell of the new R8 were carried over to the new Floride, which received a new engine, the R1130 – 956 ccm of 50 HP (44 HP in the R8). From 1964, the R8 Major came with an even bigger engine – the R1132. The 1100 cc produced 50 HP in the Renault 8, but was trimmed to 55 HP for the Caravelle. It gave the car a more sporty feel that the model deserved. For the 1966 model year, the 1100 S was introduced. It had had its output increased to 57,5 HP by means of a double Weber carburettor. Cars with 1100 engines were named Caravelle - both in the USA and in Europe.
Exterior changes
The engine cover at the rear received air intakes, and the air intakes on the side were removed. The rear grill got a more exclusive look. The instrument panel received padding. Cars with the 1100 engine were given the letters "Caravelle" on the front. Perhaps the biggest change is the hardtop with a less sloping rear window to provide better headroom for the rear seat passengers. The 1100 S got round clocks in the instrument panel.
In 1968 production of the Floride/Caravelle ceased. It would be several years before Renault would make cabriolets again, but the Floride designation reappeared alongside Renault's Mégane-based cabriolet models.
About the pictures
The red car is a Caravelle 1100 photographed along the street in Céret, France, on a nice warm Friday evening. The white French-registered car with the top down is a Floride, pictured at a car meet outside Perpignan, France organized by RVA66. The white Norwegian-registered car with the top up is a 1963 Floride S with Series II bodywork and the 1-liter engine. The gray-blue Norwegian Caravelle is photographed on Skjæløy in Østfold on a nice summer day. The French car by the flower shop is photographed in Céret at a street party. The Renault Floride Coupé with a red roof is photographed at a car meet in Perpignan twice – 2023 and 2024.
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Club Renault Norway
