By the mid- Sixties Renault were on an unprecedented run of success when it seemed like every model, they released filled yet another gap in the market.

That was the case with the Renault 10, released in 1965, a progression from the smaller, and zippier 8 released in 1962 and geared towards the family car sector, thanks to its stable and robust appearance.

The Renault Ten carried the distinction of being the last in a long line of rear-engined cars produced by the company.

Once again Renault offered the Ten with a choice of two engines, the entry-level configuration was the 1000, powered by a 956cc inline-four engine, which first went on offer with the Eight.

The more powerful, and therefore more popular alternatives were either the 1100 (1,108cc) or a 1300 (1289 cc) that was the most potent of the three.

All three alternatives were matched up to a four-speed gearbox.

With the Ten, Renault also carried a lot of the refinements that were standard with the Eight, the cream of them all disc brakes fitted on all four wheels.

This was classed as a major upgrade, especially for a car in the Ten’s price range.

As far as driver and passenger comfort was concerned, the Renault Ten offered a lot more in the way of legroom and luggage carrying ability, as it was eight inches (20cms) longer.

In the cabin, the comfort that owners had come to expect from Renault was still very much in evidence.

The significant comfort boost was especially felt by the driver and front seat passenger, thanks to the sumptuously upholstered reclining bucket seats, upholstered in simulated leather.

Other minor add-ons included two-speed windshield wipers, dual sun visors, and a two-speed heater blower, all of them being considerable technological advances for the time.

The Renault Ten, unlike many of its stablemates, did not enjoy a protracted production run, only six years, till it was discontinued in 1971, although production did continue at Renault’s plant in Spain until 1973.