RE: Venturi Atlantique: Time For Tea?
Discussion
LotusOmega375D said:
Before Nicholas Mee, the MVS Venturi importer was a company called Eurotec in East Lulworth, Dorset.
They were a small Alpine Renault specialist and somehow got the concession for Venturi in the mid 1990s. They used to have a yellow 400GT in the showroom, but I guess you could count the number of their new Venturi sales on the finger of one finger, if that!
The proprietor (Alan Matthews) popped by our East Midlands home one day in a second-hand Venturi 260 he had just picked up. On another occasion, whilst our cars were in for servicing, he also took us out for a spin in a yellow A610, which showed us how much quicker and better put-together it was than a GTA. He also had a nice Renault 5 Turbo 2 which was a centre-fold feature in De Agostini's monthly 1993 publication "Encyclopedia of Supercars". I still have a copy.
Yes I remember Alan at Eurotec. (I used to have the sticker on the GTA from when they serviced mine). Alan also sold the Helem V6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9TEV0u8oY Basically a Renault Spider but converted to a coupe with a full roof, still mid engine but running the v6 turbo from the A610. He had a blue one in which was probably the only one in the UK as I remember as a demo car.They were a small Alpine Renault specialist and somehow got the concession for Venturi in the mid 1990s. They used to have a yellow 400GT in the showroom, but I guess you could count the number of their new Venturi sales on the finger of one finger, if that!
The proprietor (Alan Matthews) popped by our East Midlands home one day in a second-hand Venturi 260 he had just picked up. On another occasion, whilst our cars were in for servicing, he also took us out for a spin in a yellow A610, which showed us how much quicker and better put-together it was than a GTA. He also had a nice Renault 5 Turbo 2 which was a centre-fold feature in De Agostini's monthly 1993 publication "Encyclopedia of Supercars". I still have a copy.
His setup down near Lulworth Cove was pretty good and he had a good collection of cars but he suffered some bad luck with flooding of his premises on one or two occasions I think. I think he was also struggling to retain mechanics as it was a lovely place to visit, but hardly centre of the world being right on the south coast in sleepy Dorset; hence he closed up and sold off his stock including the very nice GTA Le Mans that was ex Patrick collection. It'd barely ever been used and I saw it on his stand at Goodwood FOS, whilst chatting to Alan over a cup of tea. First time I think that car had ever got wet!! Nice guy Alan - shame he didn't have a bit more luck with the business.
alpgta said:
Yes I remember Alan at Eurotec. (I used to have the sticker on the GTA from when they serviced mine). Alan also sold the Helem V6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9TEV0u8oY Basically a Renault Spider but converted to a coupe with a full roof, still mid engine but running the v6 turbo from the A610. He had a blue one in which was probably the only one in the UK as I remember as a demo car.
His setup down near Lulworth Cove was pretty good and he had a good collection of cars but he suffered some bad luck with flooding of his premises on one or two occasions I think. I think he was also struggling to retain mechanics as it was a lovely place to visit, but hardly centre of the world being right on the south coast in sleepy Dorset; hence he closed up and sold off his stock including the very nice GTA Le Mans that was ex Patrick collection. It'd barely ever been used and I saw it on his stand at Goodwood FOS, whilst chatting to Alan over a cup of tea. First time I think that car had ever got wet!! Nice guy Alan - shame he didn't have a bit more luck with the business.
Well it certainly wasn't because he was too cheap!His setup down near Lulworth Cove was pretty good and he had a good collection of cars but he suffered some bad luck with flooding of his premises on one or two occasions I think. I think he was also struggling to retain mechanics as it was a lovely place to visit, but hardly centre of the world being right on the south coast in sleepy Dorset; hence he closed up and sold off his stock including the very nice GTA Le Mans that was ex Patrick collection. It'd barely ever been used and I saw it on his stand at Goodwood FOS, whilst chatting to Alan over a cup of tea. First time I think that car had ever got wet!! Nice guy Alan - shame he didn't have a bit more luck with the business.
I remember his Le Mans and Porsche tractor.
Apart from the pain of being presented with the invoices, I've got another couple of memories of taking my R5T2 there.
Once I had to drive it there with a shattered clutch. I got all the way from J20 M1 (Leicestershire) to the outskirts of Bournemouth without once changing gear (5th). I somehow managed to struggle on to East Lulworth. Alan said it was the most damaged clutch he'd ever seen.
I think it was the same visit when he gave me another R5T2 as a courtesy car. That was a black RHD conversion with full roll cage. I had great fun thrashing it around Bovingdon.
Johnston said:
A picture of some of France's finest. I loved the red 400 and it is now owned by a chap who also owns one of the yellow A610's in the background. I own the other yellow 610 which is a fabulous car. Had it for nearly 10 years now and I can't imagine not owning it. Absolutely adore the thing.
The chap who owns that red Venturi is the same chap who bought my yellow Alpine A610 which is the one on the left! It is currently at an Alpine specialist RATS, undergoing concourse restoration!!! Don't know what he has done to the Venturi yet.
Today is the 10th anniversary of my ownership of an Atlantique 300 which I bought in 2005 as my GTA turbo (Howard’s Way) was getting very tired. I looked at a A610 but baulked at its lack of any boot for carrying anything wet or smelly (dog, child, wife or why). I chanced upon a 300 which at first sight I thought quite stunning. I loved its performance, its hand built quality and its rarity, and with two boots, including one that I could get my golf clubs in, very usable! How many supercars can boast that? I even took my clubs over to Oselli to make sure. Magnifique.
My joy and enthusiasm for the car was nearly crushed by Oselli who I regret to say almost single handedly ruined Venturi’s reputation with high prices and poor workmanship.... quite a few of us suffered in the early days at their hands. Hammond’s report on the Biturbo didn’t help either and jumped on the bandwagon of poor support services for this very little known marque. It was a very poorly researched piece of journalism. My 10 years are testament to it being absolute billhooks.
The 300 still turns heads and is always a talking point because of its looks and its rarity. It’s a driver’s car with little electronic wizardry. Consequently its neither complicated nor particularly sophisticated in modern supercar terms. It is very easy to work on and any decent mechanic should have no difficulty with it. Mine has proved quite reliable over the decade and the small amount of work I’ve had done has been inexpensive and very easily engineered.
I think there are only eight RHD 300’s in the UK, two of which are the Biturbo’s: the dark blue one is in Bristol and the light blue one, is it still for sale?
My 300 along with the red rhd 400GT, also went to Thailand to massage the sale of the company to some Thai businessmen. Both cars were brought back when the deal fell through and sold in the UK.
Venturistes have a good camaraderie and keep in touch through the RAOC. We have developed a good pool of knowledge and have sourced which bits Venturi borrowed from which car (ie. brakes are M3 and the electronics various Citroen/Peugeot). You can (but don't) still buy spares direct from Venturi, for they will have their spares stock for a long time judging by their prices. Eg. Pair of new front wishbones £700 each + postage! I took mine to a local Engineer who refurbished them beautifully for £100.
The French Communaute add a wonderful dimension to Venturi ownership. We make the occasional pilgrimage to join up with their enthusiasm and they are always a good excuse to travel around France.
Well that’s the Advert over except for a piccie of my car at Renault F1!
My joy and enthusiasm for the car was nearly crushed by Oselli who I regret to say almost single handedly ruined Venturi’s reputation with high prices and poor workmanship.... quite a few of us suffered in the early days at their hands. Hammond’s report on the Biturbo didn’t help either and jumped on the bandwagon of poor support services for this very little known marque. It was a very poorly researched piece of journalism. My 10 years are testament to it being absolute billhooks.
The 300 still turns heads and is always a talking point because of its looks and its rarity. It’s a driver’s car with little electronic wizardry. Consequently its neither complicated nor particularly sophisticated in modern supercar terms. It is very easy to work on and any decent mechanic should have no difficulty with it. Mine has proved quite reliable over the decade and the small amount of work I’ve had done has been inexpensive and very easily engineered.
I think there are only eight RHD 300’s in the UK, two of which are the Biturbo’s: the dark blue one is in Bristol and the light blue one, is it still for sale?
My 300 along with the red rhd 400GT, also went to Thailand to massage the sale of the company to some Thai businessmen. Both cars were brought back when the deal fell through and sold in the UK.
Venturistes have a good camaraderie and keep in touch through the RAOC. We have developed a good pool of knowledge and have sourced which bits Venturi borrowed from which car (ie. brakes are M3 and the electronics various Citroen/Peugeot). You can (but don't) still buy spares direct from Venturi, for they will have their spares stock for a long time judging by their prices. Eg. Pair of new front wishbones £700 each + postage! I took mine to a local Engineer who refurbished them beautifully for £100.
The French Communaute add a wonderful dimension to Venturi ownership. We make the occasional pilgrimage to join up with their enthusiasm and they are always a good excuse to travel around France.
Well that’s the Advert over except for a piccie of my car at Renault F1!
Tres bien!!
A venturi and an A110. Would love to see those sometime.
Ahve you seen this?
https://youtu.be/bCRWCdbXwlo
On old top gear, VBH drives a Venturi and an NSX
A venturi and an A110. Would love to see those sometime.
Ahve you seen this?
https://youtu.be/bCRWCdbXwlo
On old top gear, VBH drives a Venturi and an NSX
williamp said:
Tres bien!!
A venturi and an A110. Would love to see those sometime.
Ahve you seen this?
https://youtu.be/bCRWCdbXwlo
On old top gear, VBH drives a Venturi and an NSX
Thanks Wp, I have seen that one. Its "of its time" lets put it that way! Piccie of the A110...A venturi and an A110. Would love to see those sometime.
Ahve you seen this?
https://youtu.be/bCRWCdbXwlo
On old top gear, VBH drives a Venturi and an NSX
paulyaudio said:
This is my Venturi Atlantique 300 single turbo. I use it quite regularly as it is very easy to potter about in or blast down a good B road. It also makes a better GT car than my old alpine A610 which I did love and miss lots! But I could not afford to keep both!
Dodgey_Rog said:
paulyaudio said:
This is my Venturi Atlantique 300 single turbo. I use it quite regularly as it is very easy to potter about in or blast down a good B road. It also makes a better GT car than my old alpine A610 which I did love and miss lots! But I could not afford to keep both!
That was Summer 1999.
Edited by Dodgey_Rog on Monday 20th August 21:23
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