No definite theme this year at the Renault stand in Paris during the Rétromobile. The choice this time was up to the public, who were presented with a total of forty cars in ten categories on Facebook. On the open stand Renault showed what it's all about: looking at cars!
On a large wall, Renault Classic explained to the public which cars had been nominated in the ten categories via Facebook with the corresponding final results and the percentages. In this way, cars that had never been exhibited before appeared on Rétromobile. Examples include the 1967 prototype H with the V8 engine that preceded the PRV V6. The Argentine Ika Renault Torino Coupé from 1972 also attracted a lot of attention for five days.
Renault had furthermore brought a brand new 5 TX automatic from 1984 as well as a beautifully restored version of the Renault 17 TL in tasteful blue with beige fabric. Sporty cars have a great appeal and so did the 1993 Renault Clio Williams.
From the pre-war period it was the large Renault BY Limousine, the LO fire engine from the mid-twenties and the prestigious Vivasport convertible from 1935. Apart from the public's choice, Renault exhibited the only remaining Primaquatre SAPRAR, an extremely elegant two-seater from a private collection and designed by coachbuilder Pourtout.
The colour scheme white with a red hardtop makes the 1959 Renault Floride stand out very well. With the Renault 12 Break 4x4 Sinpar, Jean Claude Briavoine and co-pilot Alain Oger became first in the 1977 Côte à Côte rally from Abidjan to Nice. The first rallyraid for Renault with maximum success. Both gentlemen had come to the Rétromobile to admire their former vehicle on the exhibition floor.
The recently fully restored Renault Riffard record car from 1956 was also present. The car was already at Epoq'auto in Lyon last year, but is now also technically in order again. The presentation on the stand of Renault Classic was complete with a special Renault Fuego, celebrating the fortieth anniversary of this coupé. From a private collection, an American version with turbo engine was exhibited. It was a car with almost exaggeratedly large bumpers, a desirable rolling roof and a very special leather interior with a diamond shape incorporated in the backrest of the front seats.
The atmosphere on the stand was friendly and the Renault Classic technicians were certainly willing to grab a key every now and then to show the interiors or technology to the public. Many Renault veterans also visited the stand and many interesting stories came to the surface.
The number of Renaults per square metre was unsurpassed at the Renault stand. Elsewhere in the three exhibition halls visitors came across the necessary Renault and Alpine cars. And by the way, it was not only cars. In Hall 3 there was a special exhibition about agricultural tractors. These are seldom found in the heart of Paris.
The Amicale du Tracteur Renault had brought the HI crawler tractor and the Master 1, while the Musée Charolais du Machinisme Agricole had a 7012 with a unique Rotapède drive. In the same hall, cars were offered for sale that could cost a maximum of 25,000 euros. In doing so, the organisation made an attempt to make Rétromobile more attractive. However, it briefly overlooked the fact that most of the trade in classic Renaults is still at a considerably lower price level.
A look at the stand of auction house Artcurial yielded the Alpine A110 Vialle rallycross car and a special stickered Renault 4 with the first type of grille. The sticker consists of drawn side views of the R4. This car will appear in the auction house's catalogue at a later date.
Every year the Fondation Marius Berliet brings a representative from the rich French truck history. In this case it was an original Renault IK from 1928. This chassis is constructed as a street sweeper and washer. With its 5-liter 4-cylinder engine this colossus reached a top speed of 18 km/h. The tank can hold 5,000 liters of water. The driver has the heavy task not only to drive the Renault but also to operate the equipment. This one was used in Maisy in the Calvados.
The Tuf Tuf Club brings a collection of pioneering cars to every Rétromobile and of course Renault cannot be missed with a type G from 1902. Franco Lembo Automobilia had two remarkable cars on its stand. First of all a very early A110 S factory car which entered the Tour de Corse in 1964, 1966 and 1967. The second was a two-seater roadster with an Italian license plate about which little is known. However, in 1991 it won the Mille Miglia and the price tag mentions no less than 300,000 euros!
Several companies had come to Paris with Alpines, either to sell the cars or to advertise their various products. Miniatures in all shapes and sizes were also in abundance.