Renault Colorale
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
| Website | www |
The Renault Colorale was a mid-sized automobile manufactured by Renault between 1950 and 1957. Designed as a sizable station wagon, its styling anticipated the successful Renault models that emerged during the 1960s. Nonetheless, the Colorale did not achieve commercial success.
Background
After Renault's nationalization and the strong market performance of the Renault 4CV, the company sought to penetrate the higher-end segment in the late 1940s. The plan centered on developing a durable and adaptable vehicle capable of serving both urban and rural environments, with a focus on domestic customers and French colonial territories. The name Colorale is a blend of the French terms ‘COLOniale’ and ‘ruRALE’, symbolizing this dual market intent.
Constructed on a modified frame derived from the Renault 1,000 kg van, the Colorale featured an entirely redesigned body influenced by American station wagons such as the Chevrolet Suburban. This design aimed to combine practicality with attractive styling suitable for varied markets.
Production
The body panels were produced and assembled by the Chausson company in Gennevilliers, before final assembly took place at Renault's Billancourt factory.
Marketing
Equipped with a sturdy, roomy body and optional four-wheel drive, the Colorale was in certain aspects more avant-garde than the innovative Renault hatchbacks of the 1960s, presaging features typical of later SUV models. However, within the 1950s French market, it was slower and less refined compared to its competitors at similar price points. While there was greater interest in French overseas territories, Peugeot’s more traditional models ultimately gained stronger market share in colonies and newly independent nations.
Production totaled around 43,000 units before ceasing in 1957. Buyers looking for large station wagons were subsequently directed to the Renault Domaine, which continued production until 1960.
Performance
The Colorale utilized Renault’s four-cylinder ‘85 series’ sidevalve engine from their 1,000 kg van. Although it had a displacement of 2,383 cc and incurred a high 14CV tax rating, it produced limited power due to low compression ratios designed for low-octane fuel common in the 1940s. Weighing more than a contemporary Chevrolet Bel Air, fuel efficiency was poor and its top speed struggled to surpass 100 km/h (62 mph).
In 1953, a new four-cylinder 1,996 cc engine from the Frégate was introduced, delivering improved power output and enabling speeds over 105 km/h (65 mph). This smaller engine reduced taxation to the 11CV bracket but generated less torque, so overall performance remained moderate.
The versions
Multiple variants were available including a light commercial van and a small truck. The most favored models were the five-door Prairie and three-door Savane.
- The Colorale Prairie was the highest-selling model. Featuring six side windows and four doors, it could seat six passengers and offered nearly three cubic meters of cargo space when rear seats were folded down. A taxi version equipped with foldable rear-facing seats existed but was discontinued by 1952.
- The Colorale Savane shared similarities with the Prairie but had one door per side along with window blinds and an opening windscreen designed to improve ventilation in hot climates. Its enhanced suspension made it suitable as a light commercial vehicle on rough terrain.
Towing truck modifications
During the 1960s, the Renault Colorale was an economical choice on the used vehicle market, boasting a robust frame, four-wheel drive, and an engine known for its strong torque despite modest horsepower. These characteristics made it a preferred candidate for Renault dealerships and service centers to transform into dépanneuses (tow trucks).
The typical modification process involved stripping off the rear section of the vehicle, leaving just the front cabin fitted with a flat panel and a small rear window sourced from a Renault 4CV. The towing mechanism frequently consisted of custom-fabricated steel H-beam cranes combined with Verlinde chain hoists. These handcrafted conversions adhered to the relatively relaxed road safety standards of the era and continued to be utilized well into the 1980s and 1990s. Comparable conversions were also common in forestry and commercial industries, largely due to the limited availability of new four-wheel-drive models in France at that time.
Such dépanneuse adaptations have contributed to the rarity of unmodified Colorales, thereby enhancing their desirability among collectors.