C & SC WORLD CUP
Eight countries have won the FIFA World Cup so far, but does success on the pitch equate to motoring prowess?
PUNDITS CHARLIE CALDERWOOD/SIMON HUCKNALL CAMERAMAN LUC LACEY
As we approach the final stages of the 22nd FIFA World Cup, weʼre reminded that, while football might be the worldʼs pastime, only eight nations have won the sportʼs top title. Those winners have reached the peak of the ʻpeopleʼs gameʼ, but which one of them has provided the best automotive hero to its people? All eight victors have histories of vehicle production, albeit some more extensive than others. In gathering their motoring representatives, weʼve chosen cars that were relatively affordable in their day and certainly not into the realm of the supercar – thatʼs not quite in the spirit of the game. To keep a reasonably level playing field, weʼve picked cars that were all on sale in the 1960s or early ʼ70s.
The success of South American teams in the World Cup has required some creativity – the number of Uruguayanbuilt cars in the entire Northern Hemisphere can likely be counted on one hand, after all – but, fortunately for us, the mid-century trend for licence-building and import-tariff-dodging local subsidiaries gives plenty of close approximations that are more readily found here in the UK. A player making a switch in nationality as they move from junior to senior international football, if you will.
Weʼll select our overall victor via an eight-nation knockout tournament, judging a winner of each match-up on a best-of-seven criteria. So, which nationʼs champion will win the Classic & Sports Car World Cup?
RENAULT 8 GORDINI
Les Bleusʼ have a reputation for blowing hot and cold, only able to achieve true brilliance when united by a rare mercurial talent. Franceʼs successes, first in the European Championships and then in two World Cups, have coincided with the careers of Platini, Zidane and Mbappé for no small reason. Fortunately for Renault, they hit upon a similar sporting genius in Amédée Gordini, Le Sorcier.
Gordini made his name in Formula One before turning to tuning road cars. First was the Dauphine Gordini of 1957, but the R8 Gordini of 1964 has become the real icon of his time working with Renault, which was actually quite short. He retired in 1968, and licensed his name to be used for Renaultʼs performance division. Although the R8 that Gordini had to work with has a reputation for suspect handlin
