Renault Ondine 1956–1967 car dimensions: 3950 mm long, 1520 mm wide and 1430 mm high. Unladen weight is 630 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 200 litres.
The Ondine cabin offers reclining front seats in bi-tone fabric and leatherette with four positions, a black dashboard and Floride steering wheel, thicker carpet, and chrome door handles. A Sofica hot-water heater with electric fan is fitted. The layout seats five with good headroom for the size and a simple instrument panel. No electronic driver aids appear in period specs.
The front boot holds 200 litres and is fabric-lined on the Ondine. The spare wheel sits under the front below the bumper.
Aerostable suspension with auxiliary air springs is standard, giving a softer unladen ride that firms under load. Payload reaches 332 kg on comparable Gordini-spec cars of the generation. No towing figures are listed in maker data.
Front bucket seats adjust and recline on four positions in the Ondine with cloth-vinyl trim. Rear bench seats four. Heater is standard. Rear windows slide for fresh air. Black dash and Floride-style wheel give a finished look. Twin courtesy lights and open bins complete the simple cabin.
845 cc gasoline engine uses about 6.5 l/100 km
Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels
Four-speed gearbox standard on Ondine
Front seat-belt anchor points from 1964
Independent coil-spring suspension all round
The 845 cc engine runs on regular gasoline and returns roughly 6.5 litres per 100 km in mixed use. Tank holds about 30 litres for a practical range. Four-speed gearbox keeps revs down on the open road.
Regular oil and filter changes keep the Ventoux engine healthy. Service manuals cover clutch, gearbox, brakes and electrics. Parts remain available through specialist suppliers.
Brakes are unassisted hydraulic drums that work adequately if maintained. Later cars gained front seat-belt mounts. Swing-axle rear suspension needs careful tyre pressures and loading for stable cornering.
Corrosion attacks sills and floors first, so dry storage and underseal help longevity. The monocoque body is light and simple to work on. Keep the cooling system clean and the 6- or 12-volt electrics dry.
Length 3950 mm, Width 1520 mm, Height 1430 mm, Wheelbase 2270 mm (Ondine 1956–1967)
Sources: manufacturer data, motorsdb.com and Auta5P, guide-automobiles-anciennes.com.