Alfa Romeo Dauphine, just like a Renault

Text and photography: Martin Philippo

When the Second World War is over, the French become Renault and the Italian Alfa Romeo state-owned enterprises. Both are commissioned to make cars for the people. That works more than excellently at Renault, Alfa Romeo struggles with the competition of that Italian giant: Fiat. That brand has a firm grip on the local market and leaves little room for other manufacturers. Going for now Alfa Romeo continued with the production of wonderful models such as the 6C 2500. In 1950 the assembly line could then be put into operation for the production of the Alfa Romeo 1900 and a little later the Giulietta. Production numbers go up considerably due to these steps, but the required volumes can still not be made. There needs to be a new model that can change that.

Partnerships

The management decides not to invest in the development of a completely new model. A collaboration is much more obvious, and that collaboration is found in neighboring France. Renault has had the old 4CV succeeded by the Dauphine and is selling nice numbers of them. The governments of Italy and France agree and a license to produce the Dauphine for the Italian market is given to Alfa Romeo. Also become all Alfacars in France through this agreement through the Renault dealer network. 

All parts are shipped directly from the French Renault to the Alfa factory in Portello where the cars are simply screwed together. To make production space for the new model builds Alfa a new assembly line alongside the one for the popular Giuletta. Pierre Dreyfuss himself, the big boss of Renault, came to cut the ribbon to open the expansion. Unlike the Giulietta and the other models, the Dauphine is not sold abroad but remains in Italy. It is a requirement of Renault that even keep the parts supply exclusively to itself. 

The Alfa label

The Alfa Romeo Dauphine differs from the French version in very few respects. Actually it is a Renault with a Alfa label screwed on. Subtle differences: the 12 Volt ignition is from Magneti-Marelli and the other headlights come from Carello. There are also small turn signals in the front fenders. It's not more, but it's enough. 

The small compact sedan has a rear mounted 850 CC engine that, depending on the model, 25 or 29 hp is strong. It is a lightweight, the whole carriage just brings 650 kilograms on the scale so that the performance is not even disappointing. For those who want it a bit more luxurious, the Ondine also has four forward speeds. 

Successes

In France, considerable sporting successes are achieved with the Dauphine. That way the class in the Mille Miglia is won and also the Monte Carlo Rally. There is even an extra sporty Gordini version with a fifth gear and a modified cylinder head that adds ten horsepower. Thanks to a further modified cylinder head, a fast camshaft and special pistons, Gordini can even squeeze 49 hp out of the block at a later stage so that a top speed of 145 km per hour can be achieved. It is special that the Italians, who are looking for speed, have never been tempted by similar antics. What could Carlo Abarth not have done with the rather boring car? 

Bad reputation

In the first year of production, just over 20.000 cars roll off the line. Sales decline in subsequent years due to poor build quality. The contract with Renault prohibits Alfa Romeo to make improvements and the Dauphine has meanwhile gained a reputation for the cars already starting to rust at the factory. Alfa Romeo stops production in 1964 and this ends the cooperation for this model.