Coming up with a new theme for the Renault Classic display at Rétromobile every year has proved to be a real challenge. But for this year it all seemed nothing more than logical. It was after all 40 years since Renault won a race with its first turbocharged F1 car.
It’s been 40 years since a turbocharged car won a Formula 1 race and this was - of course - a Renault. It made Renault Classic decide to choose 40 years of the turbo as its official theme to this year’s Rétromobile show in Paris. The main party animal on display here was put prominently in the spotlights: the 1979 RS10, which gave Jean-Pierre Jabouille the French Grand Prix’ title. The then-winner was available at the Renault Classic stand to speak to the press with his historical race car as a backdrop.
In the slipstream of this monoposto, Renault Classic had brought over all the models of the notorious turbo years. The F1 techniques were after all used for series production vehicles also. First of these was the spectacular 5 Turbo, entered in rallying in the first place. Enthusiasts with the funds to buy one could actually report themselves at the Renault dealer. By late-1980 the turbo spectrum was further broadened when the 18 Turbo arrived in the showrooms. This was an everyday saloon car, which gained sportiness thanks to turbocharging. The car seen on Renault Classic’s display was acquired just two months prior to the show in Spain and restored in record time.
The sporty Renault 5 Alpine was equipped with a turbo in mid-1981. The blue car on show was the only vehicle not belonging to the Renault Classic collection. After this car, the turbo found its way in almost the full Renault range. The 11 Turbo and later 9 Turbo made turbo-powered cars available to the middle classes. Both cars attending here were recently restored for the show also.
Apart from its styling, the Fuego may not have been considered sporty enough. But a turbo charged version at least gave it the necessary horses. The 5 GT Turbo was a worthy successor of the 5 Alpine Turbo. Next, turbo engines were made available to the top of the Renault range, as the 2.5 litre V6 with turbo made it to the Renault 25. A gorgeous Baccara version had found its way to Paris. Slightly more compact, but least as sporty was the Renault 21, of which Renault Classic had parked a phase II version next to a Safrane Baccara Biturbo, which simply couldn’t be missed here either. Its double turbo perhaps compensated for the only car on display, which came without turbocharged engine: the Estafette.
While Renault Classic had decided not to celebrate anniversaries this time – it’s 50 years since the Renault 12 saw the light of day – an Estafette was available. And it was 60 years since this model, Renault’s first front-wheel driven car, came about. But then the car on display was also used as a mobile shop for the Atelier Renault, offering more and more gadgets to the fans. The car’s body is believed to have been meant for the Tour de France cycling race, with large loudspeaker mounted at its front. Since the unknown coachbuilder responsible used standard steel for the conversion, this Estafette is an extraordinary heavyweight. The engine can be used to move it around, but is deemed too small to make the car take part in everyday traffic.
Several people from Renault’s rich motorsport heritage found their way to the Renault Classic display, too. Jean Ragnotti was enthusiastic as ever to autograph anyone’s pictures and had selfies made with anyone wishing to do so. Former racing driver Alain Serpaggi was available to sign his book, too.
After the Renault Classic display the number of Renault and Alpine cars at Rétromobile was perhaps disappointing – you had to look out for them. Although the Maigrets among us managed to find several. Youngtimers magazine, to start with, focussed on cars equipped with the PRV engine and they had a lovely and very early Renault 30 TS on display, the one with the divergent door handles. It came in signature brown used for the car’s launch.
Spanish classic car dealer Francisco Pueche had brought over a gorgeous 1907 Renault X(b) bodied by Labourdette to Paris. In addition to that there was a good looking Spanish Alpine A110 with its FASA España type plate neatly at the back and finished in a lovely shade of yellow.
The auctioneers of Agutte offered an Alpine A110 Tour de Corse, while the 1977 Alpine A310 Poisson Dieppois was another star of the show on the stand of Ascott Collection. The same car had been seen at Rétromobile before when it made it to an earlier auction by Artcurial. It was also Artcurial, which had a large sale on the Friday with a number of nice Renaults on offer. Among these the Renault Frégate cabriolet formerly owned by Edith Piaf, which had made it to an auction earlier also. Other gems were the frivolous Ghia bodied Renault 4CV Jolly (see page 14) and a Formula 1 replica made of LEGO.
Eight cylinders from Renault are very rare. Therefore a Nervasport type TG5 with factory bodywork to be restored attracted the necessary attention. A car from a time when the phenomenon still stood for optimal luxury.