Registration - C730 BYV

Chassis No. - VF1C40505G0500649

M.O.T. - Expired

Odometer - 43,805

This handsome example of a perennially admired model has had just two owners from new and presently displays an attractively low overall mileage of just 42,000. The current lady keeper purchased the Renault 12 years ago. It’s remained unused since last year, but has always been garaged with the battery on trickle charge. She informs us that the Turbo ‘runs and starts very reliably, and is totally original save for the sunroof that she had installed’. She now regards the turbo engine, five-speed manual gearbox and bodywork as ‘excellent’, the grey fabric interior trim as good/excellent’ and the blue paintwork as ‘good’, and is now selling the Gallic hot hatch complete with its original owner’s manuals and all bar a few of the past MOTs.

The GT Turbo version of the second generation Renault R5 was introduced to an eager market in 1985. Its 1397cc engine was force fed by a Garrett T2 turbocharger, which resulted in a healthy output of 113bhp. Thanks to the lightness of the body, this equated to an excellent power to weight ratio – sufficient in fact to allow the nimble hatchback to sprint to 60mph in as little as 7.5 seconds. The model differed from the standard offering in numerous ways, including having: an oil cooler, four-link rear suspension, a lower ride height, wider track, disc brakes all-round (ventilated on the front), quicker steering, aerodynamic 5.5inch alloy wheels, and side skirts. A phase II version ensued in 1987, a rally prepared example of which remains the only Group N car ever to achieve overall victory in a round of the World Rally Championship.

In summary:

• Just two owners and a registered 42,000 miles from new
• In the present ownership for 12 years and always garaged
• An apparently very tidy, original example