Not to be confused with the conventional front-wheel-drive Renault 5 Gordini Turbo or GT Turbo, the Renault 5 Turbo was a mid-engined homologation special built in limited numbers for Group B rallying between 1983 and 1986. Renault’s considerable Formula 1-derived turbocharging expertise was applied to the humble 1.4-litre overhead-valve engine, resulting in a power increase to 160bhp (in road trim), an output sufficient for a top speed of 125mph and a 0-60 time of under 7 seconds. Built specifically for the Renault 5 Turbo Cup race series, this unregistered right-hand drive example is Mr Rowan Atkinson’s first ever racing car. Mr Atkinson used it sparingly, entering little more than a dozen races between 1984 and 1988 before losing track of the car, which subsequently emerged from retirement in 2004 when it was entered in the May Thruxton meeting celebrating Renault’s 30 years in UK motor sport. Due to illness, Mr Atkinson was unable to drive it, his place being taken by ex-F1 driver Perry McCarthy. Mr Atkinson purchased the car after the race. Cheap to buy and cheap to mend, this rare and desirable ‘pocket rocket’ would make an ideal first-time circuit car. Indeed, its owner advises us that, on slick tyres, it is a hoot for track days: “One can easily embarrass some of the slower ‘hair stylists’ in their Ferrari 355s!” Offered without reserve.
Not to be confused with the conventional front-wheel-drive Renault 5 Gordini Turbo or GT Turbo, the Renault 5 Turbo was a mid-engined homologation special built in limited numbers for Group B rallying between 1983 and 1986. Renault’s considerable Formula 1-derived turbocharging expertise was applied to the humble 1.4-litre overhead-valve engine, resulting in a power increase to 160bhp (in road trim), an output sufficient for a top speed of 125mph and a 0-60 time of under 7 seconds. Built specifically for the Renault 5 Turbo Cup race series, this unregistered right-hand drive example is Mr Rowan Atkinson’s first ever racing car. Mr Atkinson used it sparingly, entering little more than a dozen races between 1984 and 1988 before losing track of the car, which subsequently emerged from retirement in 2004 when it was entered in the May Thruxton meeting celebrating Renault’s 30 years in UK motor sport. Due to illness, Mr Atkinson was unable to drive it, his place being taken by ex-F1 driver Perry McCarthy. Mr Atkinson purchased the car after the race. Cheap to buy and cheap to mend, this rare and desirable ‘pocket rocket’ would make an ideal first-time circuit car. Indeed, its owner advises us that, on slick tyres, it is a hoot for track days: “One can easily embarrass some of the slower ‘hair stylists’ in their Ferrari 355s!” Offered without reserve.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
