1 Nov 1970
WHY this ancient front-wheel drive small car that Renault still built in Turkey until 1999 and in Romania as a Dacia until the Logan replaced it in 2005? Why not, we say, since the 12 was the last mainstream-popular Renault small car in Australia, and was built in Melbourne until production ceased in late 1980.
The 12 wooed buyers with its incredibly comfy and spacious interior, great fuel economy, eager little 1.2 or 1.4-litre engines and robust bodies.
Two styles were offered – a gawky four-door sedan and a still-pretty four-door wagon.Transmission choices were limited to a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic.
The 12 1.4 from 1976 brought more power, more features and a modernised fascia front and rear. Its 1978 Virage replacement was an extension of this, as European cars marched upmarket due to skyrocketing European currencies.
Did you know the 12 utility is still built in Romania, and that Ford offered the 12 as the rebodied Corcel and then Del Ray from 1968 to 1996?
