The Dauphine Alfa Romeo is the Renault Dauphine manufactured under licence by Alfa Romeo at its Portello plant in Milan from 1959 to 1964. The Dauphine itself is a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, four-door sedan marketed by Renault from 1956 to 1967, of which more than two million were manufactured, many under licence by other manufacturers.
Alfa Romeo Dauphine at a glance
| Built by Alfa Romeo | 1959–1964 at the Portello plant, Milan |
|---|---|
| Names | “Dauphine Alfa Romeo” and “Ondine Alfa Romeo” |
| Electrical system | Magneti Marelli 12 volt (the French car had 6 volt) |
| Original car | Renault Dauphine, 1956–1967, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, four-door sedan |
| Original production | more than two million, many under licence |
| Variants of the Renault | Ondine (luxury), Gordini and Ondine Gordini, 1093 racing model, Dauphine Teimoso (Brazil, 1965) |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alfa Romeo Dauphine
In Italy the Dauphine was manufactured under licence by Alfa Romeo at its Portello facility in Milan from 1959 to 1964 and marketed as the “Dauphine Alfa Romeo”, carrying the logo “Dauphine Alfa Romeo” or “Ondine Alfa Romeo”. It had a Magneti Marelli 12-volt electrical system instead of the 6-volt system of the French model.
English Wikipedia notes that Gianni Agnelli, chairman of Fiat and a chief competitor of Alfa Romeo, targeted the Dauphine by lobbying to change the basis of taxation from engine displacement to overall length.
The Renault Dauphine was designed as a car for the increasing standard of living of French consumers and, along with the Citroën 2CV, Volkswagen Beetle, Morris Minor, Mini and Fiat 600, pioneered the modern European economy car.
Design and features
- Layout: rear engine, rear-wheel drive, three-box styling.
- Licence build: Alfa Romeo changed the electrics to a 12-volt Magneti Marelli system.
Alfa Romeo Dauphine versions
- Dauphine Alfa Romeo: the standard car.
- Ondine Alfa Romeo: the luxury version.
More Alfa Romeo cars of the era are in our Alfa Romeo collection, for example the Alfa Romeo Spider and the Alfa Romeo 2600.
Alfa Romeo Dauphine questions and answers
Did Alfa Romeo build the Renault Dauphine?
Yes, under licence at its Portello plant in Milan from 1959 to 1964.
What was the Alfa version called?
Dauphine Alfa Romeo, and Ondine Alfa Romeo for the luxury version.
What was different on the Alfa-built car?
A 12-volt Magneti Marelli electrical system.
Sources
- Renault Dauphine, English Wikipedia: licence production in Italy, background
