Renault 16: the family car with unequal wheelbases

A Renault 16 has a longer wheelbase on one side than the other. The difference is seven centimetres, a consequence of the arrangement of its rear torsion-bar suspension.

Introduced in 1965, the R16 also challenged the familiar family-saloon layout. A tailgate and rearrangeable rear seating made room for different combinations of people and luggage. It won the 1966 European Car of the Year award, ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.

Dinky’s French no. 537 brings that practical body shape down to toy size. In this museum photograph, the silver model has red seats and its rear hatch is raised. The useful feature of the full-size car became something children could actually open on the model.