Alpine Renault GTA turbo

Author
Discussion

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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I bought a non turbo GTA new back in 1989. I decided against the turbo model because the perception at the time was that the lag made the normally aspirated car a better drive.

Twenty five years after I sold it, it popped up at a PH Sunday Service. I got so excited I offered to buy it from the owner. He refused.

A great car. Mine was eventually let down by terrible engine problems. In the end Renault bought the car back from me. That's why I was so surprised to see it at Nissan/Renault.

Here's a photo of the car taken during a trip to France in 1990. Followed by one that I took decades later of the self same car at the SS. smile






Dr Interceptor

7,743 posts

195 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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We had one similar to yours there Blib, a red non-turbo on a E registration.

I would have been 5-6 years old at the time, Dad bought it as a toy. Unfortunately it met an abrupt end when Dad put it driver side down in a ditch in Farnborough on a weekend evening. Roof was damaged, all the glass popped, chassis was twisted. Insurance wrote it off, but it was bought off them by someone, so not sure if it ever lived on.

It was a strong car though, Dad and I both got out without a mark on us.

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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In the year that I bought mine, Renault sold 16 normally aspirated and roughly 80 turbo cars, worldwide!

TA14

12,722 posts

257 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Where are the pics Steve?

sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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I plan to collect it tomorrow morning and then it's a 3 hour drive home so plenty of time to get to know it and I'll take a few pics on the way.

Unfortunately it's likely to raining heavily according to the forecast, so not the ideal scenario for exploring the handling of a car I don't know with a big engine hanging out the back but it should be fun.. It's got strange wipers that both pivot in the middle of the car, which period journos described as "like a very drunk man trying to clap" - should be interesting in a downpour..

S..


Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Friday 25th April 2014
quotequote all
sparkey said:
I plan to collect it tomorrow morning and then it's a 3 hour drive home so plenty of time to get to know it and I'll take a few pics on the way.

Unfortunately it's likely to raining heavily according to the forecast, so not the ideal scenario for exploring the handling of a car I don't know with a big engine hanging out the back but it should be fun.. It's got strange wipers that both pivot in the middle of the car, which period journos described as "like a very drunk man trying to clap" - should be interesting in a downpour..

S..
The wipers work very well. Don't worry about the balance. She won't throw you off of the road. So long as you drive sensibly until you get to know her.

ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Cheers Blib, I'm looking forward to it!

S..

eastlmark

1,654 posts

206 months

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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I remembered one thing about the wipers. They're set up for LHD and so, the sweep is not perfect for RHD. Though, truth be told, it's not anything like a major problem.

sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Friday 25th April 2014
quotequote all
eastlmark said:
I did have a look at the Renault Alpine Owners Club and also found the separate Club Alpine Renault. Are they sworn enemies like the "Peoples front of Judea" and "The Judean Peoples front"?

S..

Lowtimer

4,286 posts

167 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Splitters!

eastlmark

1,654 posts

206 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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sparkey said:
I did have a look at the Renault Alpine Owners Club and also found the separate Club Alpine Renault. Are they sworn enemies like the "Peoples front of Judea" and "The Judean Peoples front"?

S..
yes, the difference is RAOC do things!

sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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The pictures:



Unfortunately the gear linkage came apart on the way home, but a helpful breakdown guy with a few cable ties re-instated temporarily so I could get home.

The car's great to drive - lots of turbo lag, but a real kick when the turbo is spooled up. Handling's excellent. It's very quiet with turbo engine at the back.

The car's in great condition except that a number of electrical items don't work, but from reading Alpine forums that seems typical of the model.

Blib was right about the wipers they look like they're about to fall off when they're working, but they do a decent job..

Looking forward to getting to know it now!

S..

sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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sparkey

Original Poster:

789 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
quotequote all

Blib

43,793 posts

196 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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It looks beautiful. You've got me wanting one now!


boyse7en

6,671 posts

164 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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Always wanted one of these since it was the front cover car of Performance Car back in teh late '80s

The Le Mans version in burgundy metallic please smile

But yours looks very nice. The wheels suit it.
How much, if it's not rude to ask?

Eagerbeaver

386 posts

198 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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It's a tough call between the different GTA variants. My favourite is the A610 as they really seemed to make a great car outstanding.

There is a nice looking example in the classifieds which would have probably sold by now if it wasn't green but some may like the colour for its rarity.

What are the main issues to look out for on these?

texaxile

3,289 posts

149 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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sparkey said:
I did have a look at the Renault Alpine Owners Club and also found the separate Club Alpine Renault. Are they sworn enemies like the "Peoples front of Judea" and "The Judean Peoples front"?

S..
hehehehe

My eldest brother was an Area Zone Manager for Renault in the late 80's / Early 90's, and managed to get his grabbers on a Pearl White V6 Turbo for a week. When he came down to visit kids in the street stood staring at it. Lovely looking car with great lines. I think though that either the Red or the Electric blue colour really does it for me.

grumpy52

5,565 posts

165 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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A mate had one that he bought cheap, it had minor body damage on all four corners and and a damaged door hinge , repaired and resprayed over the next 3 years and looked very nice in bright red .
3 weeks after putting it back on the road he had a diesel on a wet road moment resulting in a large road sign car interface moment and ripped a front corner off back to and including off side door pillar.