- Beat the record for its class in 2016, driven by Nicolas Prost

- Meticulously built in the workshops at the Collection

- Uprated engine, rare R8 Gordini gearbox

- No reserve

For Renault, 1956 was a historic year: it saw the manufacturer not only launch the Dauphine, but also, on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States, set the speed record for a turbine-powered car, thanks to the 308.9kph reached by its ‘Étoile filante’ (Shooting Star).

Sixty years later, Renault returned to Bonneville to celebrate these two events during the ‘Speed Week’ in August 2016. As well as the record-breaking ‘Étoile filante’, back on the vast expanse of white salt, the manufacturer entered an extensively modified Dauphine for Nicolas Prost (Alain's son) to drive, and he set a new record in the ‘Classic Gas Coupe’ (1928–1981) class, for cars with a capacity of 754–1015cc.

Built in large part by Christophe Mirot, a mechanic in the workshops at the Collection, this machine, running with the number 9561, complied with the strict requirements of the Bonneville regulations. It was fitted with a 956cc engine, fed by a Weber twin-head carburettor , and had an Autobleu exhaust, a rare – and sought-after – five-speed gearbox from an R8 Gordini, running gear from an R8 with front disc brakes, a substantial roll cage, a bucket seat set right back and special controls. A very thorough preparation for a proper record-breaking machine, a highly original car which will surely not leave fans of the marque or of motorsport unmoved!