Busy birthday

The French Renault 12 Club Amicale R12 Passion had taken the initiative to celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary in a grand style. 2009 had seen the R12’s 40th birthday, which had not gone unnoticed, but this birthday was celebrated in a more extensive form. Some 80 cars showed up at the time; the club now received guests with more than 140 different Renaults 12. Coming from France, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Romania and the Czech Republic, this resulted in a varied collection of cars and people. With the sun shining brightly and very pleasant temperatures, nothing stood in the way of a great success.

But where do you organize the half-century celebration of a car? Well, a village named La Douze (‘The Twelve’) seemed just the ticket. This place is close to Perigeux in the Dordogne. The town’s mayor was honoured by the international allure of the meeting and fully cooperated. He even managed to re-open the closed nudist campsite for the occasion, just to accommodate the Renault 12 enthusiasts – all fully dressed, thank you.

La Douze is situated in a beautiful area. And an organized tour of some 100 kilometres led a varied procession of 12s through historic towns and along beautiful views of the Dordogne river. There was enough time within the Saturday programme to make frequent stops to stretch the legs. At the end of the afternoon everyone returned to the village square or the La Douze church.

The village square in La Douze.

Participants in the R12’s 50th anniversary party in La Douze came from all over the world. The Spanish delegation was particularly large. As the Spanish market was closed for import for decades, the Renault 12 was built in Spain for a long time by FASA Renault. Motor manufacturers could only sell their cars in some countries if they were also produced locally. For that reason, Spanish-made parts were used. This explains why the FASA models of the Renault 12 differ from the French variants in much detail.

Renault 12 S

Take the black Renault 12 S above. It’s the Spanish version of the French 12 TS of the first generation. The front is specific to this model with double headlights, while it does come with the Fergat-wheels. The car’s overriders and brightwork are different. All of the lighting was made locally under a license, too. A look into the interior also shows different upholstery. Later model types, such as the blue TS (left), also used seats with square-shaped, fixed headrests. On this phase II there are also double headlights that are reminiscent of the 16 TX, and how about the wide black protection trim?

The break was also built in Spain and named Familiar there. Production continued until 1983. The large delegation from Spain shows that the Renault 12 has a loyal following in the southern European country and the average condition of the Spanish cars was superb.

Renault 12 TS 1973 (left) and 1974 (right)

When some 140 cars of one and the same type meet up at an event, they give their owners the opportunity to compare their own car with almost identical ones. Here you see two Renaults 12 TS, the one on left dates back to 1973; the one on the right is a year younger. Their main difference is in the lighting: yellow Cibié spotlights on the front bumper in 1973 and so-called kangaroo headlights with integrated spots a year later. Renault also liked to play with colours of the front direction indicator glasses: orange or white!

The Dacia 1300 with production number 002

Dacia 1300 1972

The Romanians came, saw and conquered. This as five of the six cars that had made their way from Romania to France by car transporter returned to their home country with a prize. First prize in the Dacia category went to a blue 1972 1300 car in an absolute as-new condition. Contrary to the Dacia 1300 002, this was a car that was mainly built from locally produced parts.

Dacia 1410 Sport

Another example of restoration skills and perseverance was the bright yellow two-door Dacia 1410 Sport. Some of its amusing details are the extended doors, the shortened boot lid, the lower roof and the rear window; identical to the windscreen.

Renault 12 Sinpar.

Also present at the event were no less than four Renault 12 4x4 Sinpars, including three Rally Raid variants. The 12 Sinpar is the first Renault that officially participated in this type of desert race. The car’s sister model (please find the complete article by clicking here) has been transformed into a replica of the car of the Marreau brothers. These two white Sinpars participated in the 1977 Côte-Côte rally from Ivory Coast to the Côte d’Azur. For the first time in 42 years, the cars were reunited, this time in the village square of La Douze on 7 September. The car wearing number 119 is the property of Renault Classic.

Renault 12 Gordinis had come in great numbers also. Not surprising, because as so often the more expensive models receive most interest from collectors. A Romanian Gordini that was 99% finished from a particularly thorough restoration earned its owner the first prize in its category. And since Gordinis are not always blue, second prize went to a French registered yellow car. During the route on Saturday, the Gordinis repeatedly teamed up in the parking places.

The level of the cars was high during the 50th anniversary of the Renault 12, which went for the French ones as well as for the ones from abroad, such as this blue phase I from the UK. It received the jury’s merits and won its category. For Phase II cars, the honour went to a beige metallic 12 TL, which had spent its entire life in France. The jury also awarded an originality prize. Not easy since originality can be explained in so many ways. Ultimately, the only Renault 12 Société present, with its fully enclosed side panels was chosen as the winner.

During the prize-giving ceremony on Sunday afternoon, the mayor of La Douze was there to congratulate the winners. Co-organizer Denis Thomas had a warm relationship with the microphone during the weekend, conveying all the information and fun facts to the public.

The Renault 12 TS Break from 1975 is very rare.