Sounds like one of the later Spanish built FASA Renault 8S’s. Four headlight front panel with four 5.75” lights. The engine would be basically the same as that on an R4 GTL, but there will be detail differences such as the waterpump (different and located on the opposite end of the cylinder head) and the carby and manifold, also depending on the age of the motor there may be other detail design differences such as bearings, liner seals and the like. Same with the gearbox, the casing is unique to the R8, but the internals use a mix and match of bearings, shafts and gears from other Renault models. Probably just give it a check for rust, being in a dry climate helps, but then they tend to rust from the inside out. The vent chamber in the front boot runs under the boot floor, check that the top of it hasn’t rusted through and filled the boot with water under the boot mat, check sills and the interior floor, especially the rear footwells.
As for driving, being rear engined with swing axles does require some restraint at higher speeds, but it is nothing untoward in “normal” driving. But in crosswinds you will need a sack of cement in the front boot.