1988 Renault 5 GT Turbo

Lot details
Registration No: F650MPH
Chassis No: VFIC4050501450045
Mot Expiry: Aug 2007

A pioneer of road car turbocharging, by the mid 1980s Renault had a turbocharged version of every model save for the evergreen 4, the most memorable being the 5 GT Turbo. Launched here in February 1986 12 months after the transverse engine 'Supercinq' (remember the pre-Nicole 'What's Yours Called?' advertising campaign?) it competed with the Peugeot 205 GTI which had taken the hot hatchback market by storm 18 months earlier. Meaty looking extended wheelarches and sills transformed the 5's appearance, backed up with performance figures which surpassed the 205 and all other competitors. Finely balanced handling and steering, outstanding grip and an absorbent ride completed an impressive package. In August 1987 a mid-life facelift brought a restyled grille and alloy wheels, increased power output and most importantly a water cooled turbocharger to banish the overheating problems that occurred in early cars if not allowed to idle before switching off. With its reliability ghost exorcised the 5 GT Turbo was the hot hatch choice of many journalists right up until its replacement by the Clio 16v in October 1991.

Offered for sale here is a rare 'unmolested' UK market RHD facelifted 5 GT Turbo. With basically one owner from new this example has covered only 39,700 miles at the time of entry, guaranteed correct by the owner with a history file of all MOTs and service invoices. We are told this is the lowest mileage example known by the owners club. Taken to France and re-registered there by its first owner in 1993, the 5 was garaged and used sparingly until last year when given to the current owner. Spending most of his time abroad he has been unable to use the car and it was stored for 12 months. Released from storage 2 months ago we are told that the 4 alloy wheels & original steel spare have been refurbished and powder coated and the underside cleaned and Waxoyled. We are also told that all four tyres have been replaced in the last 2 years. Described by the owner as 'superb' (engine, transmission), 'perfect' (electrics, chassis, wheels/tyres) and 'near'/'virtually perfect' (paintwork, interior), the owner says the only faults of note are 2 small 'dings' in the resprayed passenger door and a small stain on the drivers seat edge. Bound to appreciate in value this is a rare opportunity to enjoy a superb example of one of the seminal 1980s performance cars.