Florida has a strong auto racing
history. Daytona, Sebring, Homestead-Miami,
St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay all hold major racing events. In fact, Florida is host
to more top-level racing than any state in the nation. Automakers pay homage by
naming cars for Daytona and for Sebring. It should not be surprising to
discover cars named for our state. Still, considering our history, you might
wonder why there aren’t more. The following story could have part of the
answer.
In 1959, a car named for Florida was
introduced but most Americans would not know it by that name. It was the Renault Floride, a sport model
built on the Dauphine platform, designed expressly for the American market and
immediately popular here. But, as Sports
Car Graphic reported in October 1959, the name was quickly changed.
“Dealer reaction to the car was wholly
favorable except for one contingent from California that asked, ‘Why Floride? That’s only one state among [at
that time] 48. We like the car but does
it have to have that name?’
“Renault officials looked upon this
as a serious matter. ‘After all,
California took a large percentage of Dauphines and if sales were to suffer due
to statehood pride we had better have some discussions about it.’ They did,
and during the last course of dinner on the Bateau Mouche, as it made its way
down the Seine River, asked for a show of hands to three different names that
had been nominated. A resounding cheer went up for the name, ‘Caravelle,’ and although
no promises were made the California group went home fairly secure in the
thought the Floride would have a new name.
“Now the car is ready for the public
– and with the new name for the United States market. In France, it will still
be known as the Floride.”
The Floride / Caravelle became the
flagship of the Renault line and remained in production through 1967.
Did Florida racing start with something more exotic? :-)
Did Florida racing start with something more exotic? :-)
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