An EBS convertible as if it’s new

Pictures Guido Bissattini

Dutchman Ernst Berg founded EBS (Ernst Berg Systems) in 1983 to develop and build a beautiful Renault Supercinq based convertible without roll bar. The design came from Didier Bussat. Strength calculations were performed on the body with the reinforcements ensuring a weight gain of 58 kg, 30kgs of it coming to the rear axle. After the prototype was presented at the AutoRAI in February 1985, the car was evaluated at Renault’s technical centre in Rueil, which led to a production agreement in November 1985. The plan was to build at least ten thousand convertibles. In February 1986 an official Renault press release announced the car, followed by the launch of the production version at the Geneva Motor Show in March that year.

By that time EBS was investing heavily in a new plant in Zaventem, Belgium, three miles away from Renault's own plant in Vilvoorde. Here, EBS received Renault’s bare shells, which were transformed into convertibles. After 32 hours the body went back to Renault where it was being finished. That was at least the original plan. But the official production start got postponed due to imperfections at EBS. Subsequently, after the murder of George Besse, Raymond Lévy took up the position of CEO at Renault, while production of the Super Five was ceased in Vilvoorde. The contract with EBS was terminated before a real production start took place.

But Ernst Berg decided to continue on his own. He started converting complete cars. The first of these were ready by June 1987. The Supercinq convertible was now available based on every conceivable version of the Renault 5, from Campus to GT Turbo.

This particular car started life as a GTR Prima of 1990. That means it’s a late variant with all the modifications it received. From the doors there is a slanted edge running towards the rear for better window guidance. As a result, the rear lights were placed in the normal, higher position, while the previous ones used to be lowered. The advantage is that the boot lid can be opened when the hood is down – the roof works on this particular car without having to move. 180 GTR based Supercinq convertibles were built on a total production of 870.

This GTR Prima was delivered to a Renault dealer in 1990, where the car would remain until 2016. The convertible then came into the hands of an Italian owner who hardly drove it, hence the extremely low mileage and the as-new condition that the car is in. However, this owner sold his unique Renault not much later. The 5 GTR recently came under the hammer at Sotheby’s and changed ownership for 19,500 euros. The new owner seemed to be an investor as he offered the car on the world wide web just a few weeks later for a considerably higher price.