2005 Renault Clio 182 Trophy - Fully Restored

Please note that the images were provided by the seller

Highlights

• Stunning no-expense-spared restoration of the iconic hot hatch

• Every original detail recreated

• Full service history

• Completely stripped back and rebuilt

• Presented in collector-quality condition

Overview

Every derivative of the first-generation RenaultSport Clio was an absolute gem, but there’s only one that was deemed worthy of the honour of Pistonheads Hot Hatch of the Century.

That prestigious accolade was reserved for the Clio 182 Trophy – a car that wouldn’t have existed were it not for the model’s unswerving popularity in the UK. Back then, the 182 was the hot hatch darling of the moment, at a time where the breed was undergoing something of a resurgence in the UK alongside models such as the MINI Cooper S and Honda Civic Type R. And Britain was the biggest market for most of them, with over 3,000 Clio 182s a year finding homes here during the peak. 

As a result, we had a huge influence in the ultimate 182, not least because the head of RenaultSport in Dieppe at the time, Steve Marvin, was also from the UK, having previously worked for Tom Walkinshaw Racing. 

The Trophy wasn’t so much a skunkworks project as one directed by the car’s biggest market. It came here in late 2004 as our very own, tailored derivative of the 182 run-out model, with a 10mm lower ride height, Sachs adjustable dampers, pewter Speedline Turini alloy wheels and a larger spoiler, plus Recaro Trendline sports seats on 10mm lower mounts.

It was the most driver-focused RenaultSport Clio yet and was instantly collectible thanks to a limited run of just 500 cars, all finished in Capsicum Red, as opposed to the more commonly seen silvers and yellows of factory-spec cars. In the event, 550 were made, with an additional 50 left-hookers for Switzerland after the Swiss importer took a shine to the UK-specific project. 

This one is a proper collector’s car. It has been subject to what the vendor refers to as an ‘open-chequebook restoration’, with absolutely no detail overlooked – the objective from the start being to take an already good example of the 182 Trophy and take it back as close as possible to as-new condition. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is as good a Clio 182 Trophy as you’re ever going to find – an absolutely stunning car, restored with a diligence that only a true enthusiast of the model can bring to the fore. 

It’s gorgeous and we want it. But alas, it looks like you’re in front of us in the queue…

History and documentation

• First registered on 12 August 2005

• UK V5C

• MOT June 2026 – no advisories

• One key

• Original book pack

• Complete strip-down and rebuild between 2022 and 2025

• Detailed service history, beginning with main dealer entries and continuing through recognised Renaultsport specialists: May 2006 @ 9,000 miles (Renault Service South East); Mar 2007 @ 16,000 miles (Renault Service South East); Dec 2007 @ 25,881 miles (Evans Halshaw Renault); Oct 2008 @ 35,180 miles (Evans Halshaw Renault); Jan 2010 @ 47,067 miles (Phoenix Service Station); Jun 2010 @ 51,331 miles (Northwest Performance); Nov 2011 @ 63,056 miles (Evans Halshaw Citroën); Jul 2012 @ 66,467 miles (Murieston Autos); Jun 2013 @ 72,548 miles (Tornaveen Engineering); Dec 2013 @ 80,348 miles (Tornaveen Engineering); Dec 2015 @ 83,884 miles (RenTec); May 2016 @ 86,434 miles (RenTec); May 2017 @ 89,562 miles (RenTec); Oct 2018 @ 91,390 miles (RenTec); Jul 2019 @ 92,949 miles (RenTec); Aug 2020 @ 94,528 miles (RenTec); Nov 2021 @ 98,262 miles (Autotec); Nov 2023 @ 103,354 miles (AWMotorworks); May 2025 @ 103,706 miles (AWMotorworks – major service with cambelt, dephaser pulley, auxiliary belts, water pump)

• Service and repair invoices dating back to 2008

• Car no 142 of 500 UK examples and 550 in total

• London ULEZ compliant

 Interior

• Deeply bolstered Recaro Trendline front seats, trimmed in hard-wearing cloth 

• Upholstery in great condition throughout

• Air conditioning fitted so you're not missing out on the creature comforts

• Renaultsport dials, drilled aluminium pedals and a chunky leather-rimmed steering wheel 

• Rear bench seat in excellent order

• Original factory stereo

• RenaultSport steering wheel

• Numbered build plaque

• RenaultSport kickplates

Exterior

• Original, correct and striking Capsicum Red paint, freshly resprayed, 

• Appears flawless throughout

• Front chassis legs stripped back, treated and coated 

• All underside stripped back, coated and protected with rustproofing wax

• Anti-roll bar fully refurbished, coated and protected 

• Exclusive Trophy decals and genuine RenaultSport badging replaced new during the restoration

• Original lightweight 16-inch Speedline Turini alloy wheels, a signature feature of the Trophy, presented in excellent order 

• Rear spoiler carried over from the V6 Clio with a purposeful stance to distinguish it from the regular 182 

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre F4R normally aspirated petrol engine

• 182PS (hence the name)/180bhp

• 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds/140mph top speed

• Subframe and wishbones removed, stripped and re-galvanised 

• All new ball joints 

• Rear main oil seal and sump gasket renewed 

• New exhaust mounts and rubbers 

• New air conditioning condenser 

• New Sachs front dampers paired with new Eibach Sportline springs 

• Complete brake system overhaul with refurbished callipers, new discs, pads, lines and flexible hoses 

• Rear beam stripped, powder coated and rebuilt 

• New clutch, CV boots, steering rack bushes and upgraded Powerflex suspension bushes 

• Full engine refresh including cambelt kit, dephaser pulley, auxiliary belt kit and water pump 

• Engine bay vapour-blasted and detailed, with new seals and powder-coated fittings

• New uprated Sachs remote-reservoir dampers 

Summary

Sharp, precise and engaging, with its rebuilt chassis and engine bay detailing, the vendor tells us that Clio 182 Trophy No.142 feels as close to new as any Trophy on the market.

It has been restored with the mindset of creating the very best example you can find and it’s a difficult car to fault – if you want to own the PH Hot Hatch of the Century (and who wouldn’t, right?) then you’re unlikely to find better. It’s the best of the best, and we’re already jealous of whoever buys it. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Woodbridge, Suffolk.