Calling all Renault fans
If you’re partial to a French classic, this is the collection for you – particularly because all 12 cars seen here are for sale.
And the reason we’ve described these as ‘special’? This delectable dozen was formerly Renault UK’s heritage collection, meaning not only have all the cars been carefully maintained and are being sold in ‘ready to drive condition’, but most are super-original, low-mileage examples, which have had very few previous keepers.
All 12 of these Renaults are for sale right now with online auction site Collecting Cars, bidding closing this Sunday, 13 March 2022.
The youngest is a 2015 RenaultSport Megane RS 275 Trophy-R and the oldest a 1977 Alpine A110. So they’re not all classics, but all are definitely enthusiasts’ cars and some are definitely future classics, so join us as we take a look at all 12 – and try not to get too tempted, because all are being sold without reserve.
1. 1977 Alpine A110 Berlinette 1600SX
We’re starting with the car that most qualifies as a classic but that’s least likely to qualify as a Renault, if you see what we mean (yes, we know Alpine is part of the Renault Group).
This is an example of the final iteration of the Alpine A110, power coming from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit, driving through a five-speed manual gearbox.
It is described as being in ‘very good condition’ and this is surely backed up by the fact that since coming to the UK in 2016, Renault has used it to promote the 21st-century Alpine A110 at events including the Concours of Elegance, Salon Privé and Goodwood meetings, plus it’s starred in several glossy magazine features.
1977 Alpine A110 Berlinette 1600SX (cont.)
That it’s finished in probably the quintessential A110 colour certainly doesn’t hurt its appeal.
Intriguingly, Renault UK imported this 77,531km (c48,100-mile) car from Spain where it was in the collection of ‘a Spanish rally champion’, which is rather appropriate given the model rose to prominence in rallying and claimed the 1973 team title in the world rally championship.
Those original 13-inch slotted alloys look the business, while inside are two period-style bucket seats, harnesses and a half rollcage. And any prospective bidder will be thrilled to learn that it passed its MoT in January 2022 first time, with no advisories.
2. 1985 Renault 4 GTL
How sweet is this R4?
Those (original) 13-inch steel wheels only add to the charm and its red paintwork certainly pops – anyway, you’ve time to turn heads in this car, given the water-cooled four-cylinder engine has just 34bhp and a 75mph top speed.
This example was first registered in the UK in January 1985 and remained with that keeper until joining the Renault fleet in November 2017.
Today it has still done fewer than 50,000 miles and last November passed its MoT first time.
1985 Renault 4 GTL (cont.)
We had to share this wonderfully period interior upholstery, the grey cloth with red-and-blue chequered inserts a playful match to the exterior hue.
We understand the seat fabric has a few tears and stains, but at least it is original. There are also a few scuffs on the outside, some paint chips and a chip in the windscreen, however this classic Renault still looks good for its 37 years.
It was serviced in February and is ready to be enjoyed.
3. 2015 RenaultSport Megane RS 275 Trophy-R
Of course, there is no way we can say this six-year-old Renault is a classic – but it could be a future classic.
Well, just 250 examples of the Megane Trophy-R were produced, of which only 30 came to the UK. What’s more, this car is number one of those 250.
It has done 13,369 miles, has been owned by Renault from new, and has appeared on TV and in magazines, while another Megane RS 275 Trophy-R set a Nürburgring lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars at the model’s launch.
2015 RenaultSport Megane RS 275 Trophy-R (cont.)
It’s a spicy one, then, as you might have guessed from its hunkered-down stance, red, 19-inch wheels and these red harnesses.
The commitment to sportiness and weight-saving means creature comforts are low in number here. There is no air con, radio, sat nav or rear wiper, while the sound deadening and rear seats have been removed, too.
Still, between 250 and 275bhp depending on the driving mode, adjustable dampers, composite front springs and red Brembo brake calipers have an appeal of their own.
4. 1997 Renault Sport Spider
When did you last see one of these? Exactly.
Like the model we’ve just looked at, this is more no-frills automotive entertainment. And there is a link to that previous car, because the Spider was the first car to have the ‘Renault Sport’ name.
It, too, has been with Renault since new and featured in magazines.
1997 Renault Sport Spider (cont.)
This is a 5140-mile example, one of 96 right-hand-drive Renault Sport Spiders – and it is believed that a mere 60 came to the UK. According to How Many Left?, come the end of 2021, there were only 38 on British shores.
It is a rare beast, then, and one with a lot going for it, thanks to its 148bhp 2.0-litre ‘four’, a unit also seen in the Clio Williams, and the fact that thanks to its plastic composite bodywork and aluminium chassis it weighs just 930kg.
A temporary soft-top roof for inclement weather is included in the sale.
5. 1991 Renault Clio 1.4 RT
You could be forgiven for thinking that a 1.4-litre Mk1 Clio isn’t a classic.
That said, there is a growing community of car enthusiasts who cherish these more run-of-the-mill examples of everyday cars from years gone by, so a well-kept, 28,300-mile example could well be just the thing.
1991 Renault Clio 1.4 RT (cont.)
This Clio was in the hands of two private keepers before joining Renault’s fleet in 2018, and its kit list includes body-coloured bumpers, remote central locking, a glass sunroof and an original, Renault-branded Philips radio/cassette player.
Those wheels couldn’t be from any decade other than the ’90s, while it might surprise you to learn that it has a four-speed automatic gearbox.
6. 2000 Renault Clio 1.2 Grande Phase 1
Seeing as we’ve looked at a Mk1 Clio, let’s move on to the Mk2 from the Renault UK heritage collection, finished in this eye-catching green.
It, too, had two owners before being bought by the manufacturer in 2018 and is described as a ‘time-warp’ example
2000 Renault Clio 1.2 Grande Phase 1 (cont.)
Well, it has covered just 11,488 miles, so you’d expect it not to look too worn out, wouldn’t you?
This Renault’s Grande Phase 1 spec means it has electric front windows, power steering, a glass sunroof, a six-speaker radio/cassette system and remote central locking, while a heated rear ’screen and a split-folding rear bench tick more practicality boxes.
The auction house describes the interior has being ‘in great shape’.
7. 2007 Renault Clio 1.4 Dynamique
Perhaps a touch predictably, we’re now looking at the Mk3 Clio in this collection. Definitely not a classic, but a very, very well-kept example of an everyday superstar.
This silver over black example has a 98bhp 1.4-litre ‘four’, 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearlever, plus a grand total of eight airbags.
2007 Renault Clio 1.4 Dynamique (cont.)
Like many of the cars in Renault UK’s heritage collection, this is a low-mile example, the odometer reading just 22,551.
This Mk3 Clio joined the fleet in 2019, having had three owners before that and will soon need a fresh MoT, but it was serviced just a few weeks ago, at which point it had an oil and filter change.
8. 2005 Renault Clio V6 Phase 2
A rather more spicy Renault and one that’s already gaining traction as a classic is the monstrous Clio V6.
And, as with many of the lots in this Collecting Cars sale, it’s a low-mile example that has been owned by Renault UK from new.
How low? 14,963 miles. Some of which with Richard Hammond of Top Gear and The Grand Tour at the wheel, which may or may not matter to prospective bidders.
2005 Renault Clio V6 Phase 2 (cont.)
Of course, this is what this car is (mostly) all about, its mid-mounted, 3.0-litre V6, which sends 255bhp to the rear wheels and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, when the Phase 2 was launched, it was the most powerful series-production hot hatch. And we know from experience just how much fun they are.
This Liquid Yellow example is one of 354 Phase 2 UK-market cars, of which only 18 were finished in this hue. And with just 1309 built in total, this isn’t just fast and desirable, it is pretty rare, too.
9. 2005 RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy
More hot-hatch excitement is in the offing with this limited-edition firecracker.
With – as its name suggests – fewer than 200bhp from its four-cylinder lump, the 182 Trophy might lack in terms of performance when seen alongside the V6, however being one of 500 built for the UK, it is up there in terms of rarity.
Oh, and it is the first of those 500.
2005 RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy (cont.)
In common with many of the cars here, it has been with the marque from new and featured in magazines as part of its press and marketing duties.
The odometer reads 16,478 miles, it is finished in Capsicum Red, is fitted with Recaro front seats, lightweight, multi-spoke 16-inch alloys and niceties such as cruise control, electric windows and a heated rear ’screen.
10. 2008 RenaultSport Megane R26.R
Here is another future classic – well, limited-run, high-performance variants tend to be the ones most cherished and sought after as the years roll by.
Being number 000 certainly doesn’t hurt this example’s chances of going down that route.
It is the model for those who thought the already rather warm R26 wasn’t hot enough, the addition of ‘.R’ meaning a 123kg diet that sees, among other things, much of the soundproofing and the passenger-side airbag ditched. And, yes, that is a carbonfibre bonnet and, yes, the windows are polycarbonate.
2008 RenaultSport Megane R26.R (cont.)
Renault built 450 of what was its fastest Megane to date, with 230 slated for the UK, although only 159 made it.
It is worth saying that you also lose the back seats, the heated rear ’screen, the headlight washers and the stereo for this hardcore version, but carbonfibre bucket seats with six-point harnesses, uprated springs and recalibrated shocks are surely a reasonable pay-off for the kind of buyer for whom this was created.
Any prospective bidder might be pleased to learn, despite its weight penalty, that this example, 000, has the optional air con and 21,820 miles on the clock.
11. 2008 RenaultSport Megane R26.R
Yes, you are seeing double. Apart from a different numberplate and red wheels rather than black, this could be the same as the car we just looked at.
And in many ways it is, being another RenaultSport Megane R26.R, this time number 001, again painted Glacier White.
Which means two of the 159 that came to the UK were on the Renault UK fleet.
2008 RenaultSport Megane R26.R (cont.)
Of the two for sale here, this is the lower-mile example, having 12,458 miles on the clock. It will be interesting to see if this makes much of a difference to the final prices when bidding closes on 13 March.
Of course, it has undergone the same crash diet as its sibling and, as with the previous car we looked at, it has a turbocharged, 2.0-litre ‘four’ with 227bhp, a six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential.
High on fun rather than creature comforts, but that’s surely to be expected although, as with 000, 001 also has the optional air con.
12. 1985 Renault 5 1.4 GTL
The 12th and final car in this group is this R5. It might not be the fastest or flashiest model in the range, but, 37 years on, there is something rather sweet and endearing about this Grenada Metallic five-door with its correct plastic wheeltrims.
And the second-generation car was styled by none other than Marcello Gandini.
It joined Renault’s heritage fleet in 2009, having spent the previous 24 years with the same owner.
1985 Renault 5 1.4 GTL (cont.)
The vendor notes that this example’s rear-’screen washer doesn’t work at present, but the heated rear windscreen and original radio/cassette player are both in fine working order.
Its 59bhp 1.4-litre ‘four’ won’t break any performance records, but for a 21,717-mile slice of automotive nostalgia, this seems to have a lot going for it.
Bidding closes on all the lots in ‘The Renault Collection’ on Collecting Cars this Sunday evening, 13 March 2022. Find out more here and, if you’re thinking of taking the plunge, have fun.
Keyword: 12 special Renaults for sale now