Beschreibung:

In the 1920s and 30s, Amédée Gordini, having moved from his native Italy to Paris, built a formidable reputation for building very successful competition cars. Initially concentrating on Fiats, he was employed by the new Simca company to develop their Simca 5 for use in record breaking and in competition. His great speciality was the development and the design and manufacture of very effective cylinder heads, which, when fitted to Fiat or Simca engines, found their way into chassis fitted with bespoke sporting bodywork. After the war, the Ecurie Simca-Gordini was created and a number of single seaters were built and entered for the likes of Raymond Summe, Jean-Pierre Wimille and even Juan Manual Fangio to drive in Grand Prix events across Europe. In the 1960s, Gordini started work with Renault helping develop their models for competition use. Initially his work produced a mildly modified version of the Dauphine bearing his name, cars which nevertheless were successful in events such as the Monte Carlo Rally and the Tour de Corse. Then, when the R8 was launched, he found it to have much more potential. With disc brakes all round and a five main bearing engine, he set to it with a will. Based on the 1108cc Major model, he designed and developed an aluminium hemispherical cross flow head and fitted twin choke carburettors. The chassis was too much improved, with, for example, twin shock absorbers per rear wheel, bigger lights, wider rims and a brake servo. The car, dubbed R1134 by the factory, was an immediate success with a win in the Tour de Corse in November 1964 and a string of successes for both official cars and for private owners across Europe. In 1966, a 1300cc R1135 version was launched with five speed gearbox as well as a second front mounted petrol tank and two extra fog lamps built into the body. The car we are offering was built in 1965 as an 1108cc four speed car. In the 1980s, it was, like many another 1100cc car, converted to 1300cc R1135 specification with a five speed gearbox and the bigger engine. It was used in sprints and rallies in the UK. Having passed through the hands of another enthusiast, it was purchased by the current owner and entrusted to Ricky Higgs Preparations. The car was fitted with correct roll cage, electrical cut-out, seats, belts and the front tank as well as having a thorough overhaul. Since being fully developed, it has been used in a number of HRCR road rallies in the UK. 8896 VD 47 is offered with full MSA papers issued in July 2007 listing the car with a 1300cc engine as an FIA period G1 1966 to 1969 class CT12 Competition Touring Car. This very iconic and very sporting car is superbly maintained and is well respected in rallying circles. Many members clubs that cater for Gordini R8's in the UK and abroad show the wide appreciation and strength of support that these special cars receive. It has recently had a general service by a respected specialist and has demonstrated on local rallies in France. The new owner of this car should satisfy themselves that ownership of a R8 Gordini is guaranteed to turn heads! The car has the following specification: - Factory ""Group 2"" engine with 1296cc pistons, liner and camshaft plus well sorted Weber 40 DCOE carburettors. - Competition gearbox with 9:34 final drive ratio just completely rebuilt by Jean Claude Danon of Auto Racing in Orthez. - Competition engine with gearbox mountings. - Bendix red top and Filter King. - High output alternator - runs 4 x 130 watt lights all night. - Transverse mounted silencer and new exhaust manifold. - Quick steering rack. - Optimised suspension settings. - Homologated optional rims fitted: three 13 x 4.5 bi-metal DeltaMics for the front and spare and two 13 x 5.0 bi-metal Avantis at the back. - FIA spec Sparco six-point roll cage with certificate. - FIA spec Sparco front seats and Sabelt seat belts. - Foam filled front and rear tanks giving about 63 litres capacity. - Laminated screen and newly serv