Hello hello.
My name is Sam. I am quite 'into' my Renault 5's. I have a few of the Mk1's and also a GT turbo Coupe race car. My dad used to race in the championship and we have a long history running them as race cars, and then the Clio cup, V6 Trophy etc.
The Gt Turbo 'Coupe' is a very original car that unfortunately had an accident a couple of years ago, and I am just starting the restoration since buying it.
The Coupe's where built in Dieppe in 1985 to go into the various European one-make championships. These where all pre-production cars, as the Gt Turbo wasn't released until February 1986. Getting hold of spares during that year of racing was particularly tricky apparently, with some competitors having to miss races while waiting.
I am after a bit of information about the building of these coupe cup cars in 1985 from the Dieppe factory. Does anybody have any pictures from the period? Or information about what the factory was up to at the time? All help is greatly appreciated.
Apart from the accident (and the updated phase 2 bumper/trim), the car is ridiculously original - Small details like the fire-extinguisher pull and bonnet pins are all as the cars where when they started racing in 1985 - not many lasted with these details! The chassis number is earlier than the one in the Renault Collection, so it could be the oldest GT Turbo left in the world?
I now know the full history of the car, including all the results sheets and previous owners. I am still waiting for a reply from the first owner who bought it directly from Renault and raced it in '85, '86 and '87. All I have is his email, and he is the last person I have not spoken to.... It would be great to offer him some laps!
Thanks again.
Sam