Jean Rédélé loved cars! His father was a dealer. In 1946, he took over from his father and became the youngest Renault dealer in France. But Rédélé was also a racer. Winning his class in the Mille Miglia and the Coupe des Alpes in a 4CV, he knew what to do to make a small car fast.
For his first production machine, in 1955, he ransacked the Renault parts bin and sheathed his creation in a lightweight, Michelotti-designed fiberglass body. This first car was known as the A106. Renault was dazzled by Jean’s creation and began selling the cars through its dealerships and supplying him with all the parts he would need to build more. The year 1960 heralded the Roger Preiur-penned A108, which featured a new body and use of the Gordini engine. The A108 carried on until 1965 with very few cars being built, but this paved the way for the A110.
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