Renault TRAFIC AND MASTER at 40

Things were different before the Trafic and the Master. In those days, Renault’s predominant light-commercial vehicle was the distinctively styled Estafette (1).

This quaint-looking load-lugger was powered by a tiny 845cc engine that was destined for the company’s Dauphine passenger car. The van was a success, available in four body styles and four factory colours: grey, orange blue and yellow. It was produced in several countries from its 1959 launch right up to 1980, when the French giant launched its new double act.

The Trafic was possibly the first van of its type to have ‘raked’ front styling (2), strikingly setting it apart from the competition. It was powered by