Registration - VSE 55X

Chassis No. - 122B00C0003930

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 86,000

First registered in July 1982, this Gallic pocket rocket features Alpine Blue paintwork teamed with beige interior trim. It has had five keepers in its life to date, the most recent of whom acquired the Renault in 2016, since when it has been dry stored throughout. He believes the Gordini has probably been resprayed at some point, but informs us that it’s rust free underneath. The interior is apparently original but currently suffering from a slightly sagging headlining. Other issues the vendor has been honest enough to highlight include: a slight dent in the rear offside quarter panel and the fact that the clutch would benefit from renewal. Accompanying the car to auction will be a variety of service certificates, old invoices, the original handbooks and past MOTs, plus a current one valid for the next 12 months. ‘VSE 55X’ also comes with a variety of spare parts, including: carburettors, rare exhaust shield, badges and Cibié fog light covers.

The Turbo version of the Gordini burst onto the market in 1982, its additional performance pitching it into a fiercely competitive niche containing the Alfasud and Ford XR3, not to mention the hot hatch every manufacturer would have in its sights for decades to come, the seemingly immortal Golf GTi. Motor magazine’s test of the Renault proved it to be no slouch, that could sprint to 60mph in around 8.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 111.8mph. They also declared it to be ‘an entertaining little device that combines good performance with a very respectable fuel consumption’.

In summary:

• A rare opportunity to acquire one of the great hot hatches of the ‘80s
• Dry stored for the last six years, now fully MOT’d and ready to enjoy
• Understood to be rust free and retain its original interior