Other changes included the adoption of MacPherson struts in the suspension system. 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2, craigslist Known to many simply as the R5 Turbo, this car was homologated for Group B's lowest category, which had the lightest minimum weight but also the narrowest. Due to its great suspension travel and tight turning radius we could find a path through obstacles that were stopping the big boys. He bought it anyway. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In the case of this forgotten 1980 Renault LeCar, the $1,000 price tag may not seem like a lot but for an oddball like this, it may still be too much. It was designed by Michel Bou in his spare time and impressed Renault enough for them to start production and release the R5 in January 1972 The R5 was marketed as Le Car in the US from 1976 1983. Le Froggies would take issue with your statement. I autocrossed a lot with it,After doing 20,000 miles in the first year, the electric fan relay crapped out and the overheat light came on as the head gasket blew. Never say that even the French, foisting this upon us in the Eighties with the help of AMC (aka the House Un-American Motors Committee) arent prone to a bit of self-deprecation! Heres where most people have an issue with French cars: the engine. They were great, great fun, and despite what people like to say about them quite reliable. I remember when these hit Milwaukee, we laughed, and had no idea it was a harbinger of things to come. Get Started ALL LISTINGS SOLD and much, much stowage space. This would probably make a great succulent planter for those who collect these plants! Most rear seat room of any econobox because of longer wheelbase with rear wheels back at the bumper. My own bargain car was bought for $150 (circa 1982) with a messed-up transaxle. But, as mentioned, the rust. drunk logger in the backseat! The epitome of French automotive engineering. America saved your bacon in 2 world wars, and the motorized vehicles that we used should have been a good blueprint for success. 1983 Renault LeCar Additional Info: This auction is for a 1983 Renault LeCar. 1949 Packard Super Deluxe Eight LWB Sedan21 hours$700Bid Now, 1995 Buick Riviera Supercharged3 days$2,000Bid Now, 1963 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible3 days$1,550Bid Now. Like most cars of that era rust killed them within 7 years in the north east. we will always have the fondest memories of our little lecar. It was the same blue color. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The interior looks good for the most part. Besides the Chevrolet Vega was introduced at about the same time as the Renault R5, so maybe US-built cars wouldnt make such a good template, after all. Even in a dry ass climate like Australia, ours died of the dreaded tin worm and surface rust on these things tended to be less surface, and more indicating a panel so rotten a 4 year old child (me) could accidentally put a foot through a door panel. Stalled constantly. I had a 1976 R-5 (LeCar) 2 door with the full rubber roof and a 1982 4 door LeCar with the rubber roof. Same for the 5-speed transaxle, which attached to a different (welded-in) crossmember. This one at least looks to be in fairly good shape inside, certainly better than the crusty exterior seen in the top photo. Cant build cars, cant fight the Germans. I could go on and on, but need to stop before I talk myself into making a cross-country trip to New Mexico. I thought they were pretty good cars. The best in Gallic ingenuity and Space-Age thriftiness! no hidden . It broke down and we had to push it back to the dealership. It had new plugs, wires and a distributor not long ago and I just had the carb rebuilt and new fuel line and new filter. CL. Are you looking to buy your dream classic car? Maybe it looks cleaner because one of the owners along the way took off the graphics. Yes, please keep me informed via e-mail about polls, news and offers from Classic Trader. Only French car Id ever driven, much less a fairly underpowered, FWD, RHD one. Heres one I ran across the other day while browsing on CL: https://potsdam.craigslist.org/cto/d/for-sale-1980-renault-5-le-car/6685155660.html, I bought one new in 80 while a college student. north jersey. Sadly, this car has to be trailered because the engine has been partially disassembled and they say that parts are missing, that is not good news. The original hood emblem has been replaced by a drain guard, they tersely note, and Le Drain gets a label too, which makes us wonder whether the factory actually equipped a $150 Le Decal And Handling Premium Cold Weather Platinum Package, or the previous owner simply went mad with a label gun they recklessly purchased from Staples. Over 5 million Frenchmen would disagree as thats how many were produced. The rust and the price bug me. My ex-wife and her two sisters shared one when they were all in high school & they loved it. Mine had rust onthe rear wheelwells when it was 2 years old. The LeCar was simply an appliance and one that didnt exactly break the J.D. Automobiles / SUVS. Thanks to Matt F. for sending in this tip! In a half-dare, half-what-the-hell type purchase, my brother bought one of these that was local to him. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',148,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-148{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Very reliable. 2005 Renault Clio V6 Phase 2, Forgotten French Project: 1980 Renault LeCar, Frances Answer to the 911: 1987 Renault Alpine GTA Turbo. They both had the big rubber fold back roof so they were almost equivalent to a convertible and with the 4 wheel independent torsion bar suspension were fun to drive & very easy to park in spaces no other car could fit into. Pricing for the car you mention is at least on another planet, if not a different solar system from here. The previous owner invested a lot of time, money, and effort into the car, but he had a change of priorities before it was done and was unable to finish his project. Whatll you give me for them? I too watched the Archer brothers work magic with those R5s. We bought it new as our daily driver. Automobiles / SUVS. Renault Clio 75PK Diesel 2 seats Airco Cruise Navi. In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance. I doubt they could have solved Renaults U.S. problems, but they would have kept me as a customer. I was a service manager at a Volvo-Renault dealer during this time and had them for demos. Ours was a proper R5, bright yellow with round lights. This is one of the cleanest Le Cars that I've seen in a while. A funky little ride that gets great mileage and packs in all the charm! Next time I get stopped, Im telling the law enforcement officer (In a thick accent) that I am Gordini Turbo. For all the times I had the rear in the air; somehow I never found the time to upgrade to calipers. One day I got it into an amazingly small spot. Is this car still available. I am putting on my honest doubt face at the sellers rust claims, as any seal or sunroof failure has undoubtedly caused this thing to become as rotten as a 30 year old corpse. The Renault 16 or R16 is a car that is rarely seen in the United States and they were only officially sold here for the 1969 through 1972 model years. If you had the a/c on and wanted to pass a car(no, really, I had to pass some people driving slower than I was) I had to turn the a/c off, the thing was that underpowered. The images are of Comte De (General) Rochambeau, General Washington, Comte De (Admiral) Grasse. Become a member to add images to your comments. The Le Car was sold in North America starting for the 1976 model year and 1983 would be its last year here, at least in the US, replaced by the Renault Alliance built in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Get new comment updates via email. Unfortunately, as with almost everything else, the top needs work. Well, Im guessing surface rust on the body of the car as the wheels are showing some surface rust but thats an easy weekend project. That and the rear wing windows kept the car comfortable year round. - Extraordinarily new Continue with Recommended Cookies, We occasionally see repeat performances with classic cars here at Barn Finds, and that would appear to be the case with this 1983 Renault LeCar. Modern Renaults, Peugeots, and Citroens are thoroughly competent vehicles. 1,041 USD. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Why in the name of heaven and earth cant someone, somewhere, come up with a car that doesnt rust?! My memory is they had a really soft ride and were really fun to throw around. Netherlands, Meerkerk (A27, exit 25) 5,316 USD. To that I say, no bueno, as theres more than a few things working against the sorry Renault, even to the point that someone like me who buys dumb stuff all the time wouldnt consider sending a message at one in the morning purely for the morbid curiosity of whether hed let it go for less. Available now is this excellent example of a Renault Alliance two-door convertible finished in black, Eastern Shore Classic Cars is excited to present this rare 1958 Renault Dauphine "Gordini". Our R5 never missed a beat and never let us down. I bought a used 1976 R5 and then a 1982 4 door LeCar after Renault bought 49% of AMC-Jeep. I looked at this very car a year ago when it was for sale in Baltimore, Maryland. Although the Renault 5 was a hugely successful vehicle, it is probably most remembered for its hot hatch form The R5 Turbo. I owned an 83 five door. Far below you could see the hulks of trucks that didnt make it. My white 1980 Le Car was my first car, and I could kill myself for letting it go! no results. The Euro lights were brighter, the bumpers were smaller, and you didnt have to put up with all the poorly engineered add-ons of the emission-control system. Its a wet sleeved engine, while a good design isnt the easier to repair. After Chrysler bought out Amc, it wasnt long before Chrysler gave Renault the boot. hide. given it doesnt run and cant be towed without effort has no a title and no keys asking a grand seems pretty outrageous.. Mix of memories with these Renaults. I was suitably terrified driving through Cornwall and Devon on narrow hedgerow lanes. Almost predictably, a series of fatal accidents resulted in Group B's (and its planned successor, Group S') cancellation, but despite the show grinding to a premature halt, relics of the series survived and many of them can be driven today. Zee world owes a debt to France for zee French Fries ! Continue with Recommended Cookies, Here I go again. All contents 2023 The best vintage and classic cars for sale online | Bring a Trailer, Privacy Notice I certainly do, and Im sure we have many readers who feel the same. An M3 tank? Sign up for our free daily email and youll never miss another find: Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Track recent comps for the classic or exotic cars you own - or the cars you want. The interior was basic, but surprisingly roomy. 2016, 2017 and 2018. I went with him on the test drive at the dealership. I had a pair of French-spec lights, and was planning to put them on my Alpine-engined car, but that would have required sheetmetal changes I couldnt do myself, or afford to have done. DeGualle airport. You could always find a place to park it. Renault 5 GT Turbo 1985 to 1991 CMB $23,343 0 For sale Renault 5 Turbo 1 1980 to 1984 CMB $116,167 2 For sale Renault 5 Turbo 2 1983 to 1986 CMB $111,214 0 For sale Renault 5 - Race Cars 1972 to 1996 0 For sale For Sale 4 Avg $66,896 Sales Count 99 Dollar Volume $6.6m Lowest Sale $1,807 Top Sale $799,889 Most Recent $2,278 The Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards recognized This, or a vaguely similar looking Ford Fiesta? This example is i, CLOSEOUT PRICE ON THIS COOL CONVERTIBLE its like going back in time!! Yes, this beige 1980 Renault Le Car is a classic, and, some may argue, was always a classic. Price Unavailable Mileage Avg. This car didnt do Renaults reputation in the U.S. any favors. No Reserve: 1980 Renault Le Car Sold for $1,615 on 7/29/16 209 Comments View Result Make Renault Era 1980s Origin French BaT Essentials Seller: DENWERKS Location: Salem, Oregon Listing Details Chassis: 122900A0002270 147K Miles Original Engine and Transmission Original Paint Side-Exit Exhaust with Glasspack Private Party or Dealer: Dealer Lot #1790 The new R5 was based upon a new body shell and chassis and employed a transversely mounted power train. A few escaped AMC-adjacent Renault showrooms before the French waved the white flag, however, and a well-kept example with just two owners and only 52,000 miles just popped up on Craigslist in Los Angeles, California. Essential floor careRobot vacuums, stick vacuums, high-performance mops and more are up to 35% off during this Target deal. didnt run, stuffed a distributer in it, doubled my $200.00 investment. If it doesnt bother you, my neighbors have some great cars. LinkedIn . In addition to having some fuel delivery issues, it was a mild pain in the ass to work on and not very rewarding to drive, so at the end of the day, it found a new home quickly. previous day next day. In 1931 a US Postage stamp was issued commemorating the 150th anniversary of victory at Yorktown,1781. Yeah, I went with the Fiesta. My buddy David in high school had one of these with the rollback sunroof. And no, you wouldnt want the US version, unless you really like the round headlights. This person is lucky they dont have to sell it because it wont go for what hes asking for. Without financial and military support from France, its doubtful America could have won. One of such relics is one of the smallest cars homologated for Group B: the Renault 5 Turbo. Drove that car over 130K miles before some fool in a Town Car hit it. Scotty, I owned THREE of these puppies. A very prominent Pontiac dealer, Phil Tolkan, sold these as a sideline, since actual AMC dealers were fading left and right. You did not tilt the seat back up for rear passengers, the whole seat tilted forward. It needs cosmetic more, Even though they havent been made in 25 years, the Renault R5 has to be one of the most recognizable shapes and designs at least in the last half-century. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Robot vacuums, stick vacuums, high-performance mops and more are up to 35% off during this Target deal. When I returned the angry guy parked behind me had picked up with his buddies and placed it on the sidewalk. These cars had a smooth ride. Probably in preparation for Herr Lead Footen in his 911 going 200 Kph. I too, still wish I had it. I owned not one, but two, of these. Worst piece of scrap metal ever produced up until the Yugo. I crashed it in Bratislava, Chechoslovakia and had to be towed to Austria, having no money, I worked off the tow bill by working as a towtruck drivers assistant in Vienna, where it got fixed and finally got back to the states where I had it for years before i rusted away. Leave it where it is to rust in peace. My first car was a Renault 5, first cars are always going to leave an impression mine is good, economical and fun to drive (no frame of reference to judge) however it did eventually fall victim to rust. Production of the R5 GT Turbo was discontinued in 1991. We had a 1978 Le Car, and it was a great winter driving car. It used a Garrett T2 turbocharger and produced 113 hp allowing a 0 60 of 7.5 seconds. They were cheap, fun to drive and really went through the Northern Wisconsin snow. Stepping back more, As we know, I have a history of buying and attempting to revitalize obscure projects. When I had to do a quick stripdown of my first cars engine (a bent pushrod that a mechanic told me was something worse, so I rebuilt it myself), I somehow managed to lose the air pump, EGR, and tangle of vacuum lines. The current bid price is $535 and there is no reserve so its going to the high bidder. $95,000. Perhaps if its track record had been better, or they had given us the turbocharged example, consumers would feel differently about the LeCar today. Actually more reliable, too! To their amazement, they found dozens of old cars more, If youre a weirdo like me, then you go out of your way to seek out the most bizarre and unique cars you can find. I dont think Renault and Amc mixed well. After a few months she changed its name to Le Mon. it was hard not to smile in that car. California Notice at Collection The Renault 5 or R5 is a French super mini built between 1972 1996. The biggest problem was that Renault NEVER had a clue about the U.S. market. In 1989, the Renault 5 GT Turbo succeeded in winning The Rallye Cte dIvoire, and remains the only Group N rally car to achieve this accolade. I would rather ride a horse than ride in this Le Turd. It has changed hands at least once since returning to the west coast, and the price has come down a good bit from the previous listings. It was so narrow one of us had to get out of the car and guide the driver. It would be a bit confusing if they came in a LE trim level. Renaults of this age are rust disasters. You may certainly have to keep that trailer close by. They have this project Le Car listed here on eBay in Suncook, New Hampshire. In the case of this forgotten 1980 Renault LeCar, the $1,000 price more, One of the best ways to revive a war-torn economy is to get the population moving to commute to wherever they are needed to work. Classic cars for sale in the most trusted collector car marketplace in the world. They say that it was restored around 5-8 years ago and is now showing a bit of rust in the front fenders. I have a fairly large collection of LeCars already, but I keep an eye on this one each time it ends up for salemaybe it will end up back on the east coast. He removed the rego plates in the middle of the busy M1 and just walked away. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Nearly 5.5 million were built. Having been stored for over three decades, there isnt much rust on this example, but there is some on the rear hatch. We all laughed at it and called it a Leaker because it leaked coolant, oil, transmission fluid and break fluid. Great cars,heres one I have but Id really like the USA version. The engine was mounted with the front towards the firewall, with the transmission right behind the grille. If so please reply! I still miss it. One of the best cars ever. Amazed me that an 83 car could still have a manual choke. All for off-road use, of course. Doh! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Ive always enjoyed driving slow cars fast. first page previous page 1 - 6 of 6 next page last page. I dont know if it was corrected later on, but they did not like to run on anything less than premium. It was pea green. Yes, this beige 1980 Renault Le Car is a classic, and, some may argue, was always a classic. I bought a new one in 1978, one of the things that sold me on the car was the brochure with a picture of the little instrument panel that was captioned Le Flight Deck and since that described my work place I just couldnt resist. It was white with a black top that slid back. The process of bringing it back to life looked complicated. Renault for sale | Classic Driver Renault Louis Renault and his brothers founded their company in 1898. 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