1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo

Highlights

• Original and unmodified 

• In current ownership for 10 years

• Very good condition throughout

• Wonderfully boxy 80s design

• Renault main dealer service in 2024

Overview

Hot hatches are hot property at the moment, with those that lusted after them as a child coming into money, and those that had them the first time around coming over all nostalgic at the thought of chasing their mates around country lanes in the early hours of the morning.

Arguably, the 80s and 90s were peak hot hatch-era, and surely one of the most iconic of them all was the Renault 5 GT Turbo. Whilst the Golf and (to an extent) the 205 GTI were the more grown-up options at the time, the GT Turbo retained a sense of playfulness and a slightly ASBO reputation, thanks in part to its low kerb weight and delightfully old-school turbocharged nature (not to mention the in-period trend of modifying them with loud exhausts, blow-off valves that would wake the dead, and a plethora of wide-arch body kits).

Mercifully, this example appears to have escaped such trends, and presents in what appears to be wholly original condition throughout, having been in the care of the current owner for nigh-on 10 years.

If you’re wanting to experience the classic hot hatch as its maker intended, this is the car for you. Go on, you always promised yourself that you’d have one… 

History and documentation

• Registered 15 Mar 1990

• Latest service carried out in April 2024 @ 25,517 miles by Renault of Peterborough

• New radiator fitted in April 2024 including coolant flush

• Fettling including new earth strap, front discs and pads, new washer pump and more in February 2024

• Pioneer speakers fitted in 2015

• In 2015 the offside front wheel bearing was replaced, and a major service inc brake fluid change was carried out by Smiths Renault of Peterborough @ 24,598 miles

• Original order form / bill of sale included

• Full Renault document / manual pack

• Collection of historic invoices and old MOT certificates

• Two keys

• Current MOT expires 7 Jul 2026 with advisories for nearside braking system (service and parking brake) efficiency being only just met

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Phase 2 interior in excellent condition

• The dash appears to be free from any cracks or sun damage as far as we can see

• The bolsters on both front seats look to be firm and supportive

• Aftermarket stereo upgrade

• The high-traffic areas such as the steering wheel and shifter look to be in fine fettle

• We do note some typical age-related wear to areas such as the pedals and lower door cards

• In the rear, the boot is clean and free of any heavy wear, and the parcel shelf is present and mercifully free of any 6x9 speaker holes!

• Renault storage bag and tool kit present

• Being very particular, there appears to be some small patches of corrosion around the boot lock

• No reported faults or issues

• Overall, an incredibly well-kept interior that defies its age with apparent ease

Exterior

• Fantastically 80s design - clearly this GT Turbo was designed with more rulers than curves!

• Tungsten Grey paintwork

• The usual peppering of stone chips is visible on the front end

• We note a small scuff on the lower offside front corner of the front bumper splitter, and some further abrasions under the front edge of the splitter

• The nearside mirror cap is scuffed on the outer edge

• A larger chip or small scuff is visible to the bumper trim on both sides of the front registration plate

• Elsewhere, we note some imperfections to both leading edges of the rear arches, around the lower edge of the outside ‘GT Turbo’ side decals, and some light blemishes on the rear bumper 

• All four wheels are in excellent condition, wrapped in a set of Falken tyres

• Overall, a smart example of the iconic hot hatch, with a few small areas of expected wear 

Mechanical

• 1,397cc turbocharged inline-four engine producing 122bhp and 122lb-ft of torque

• Five-speed manual gearbox, sending power to the front wheels

• Front brake discs and pads replaced in 2024

• Under the bonnet, the diminutive 1.4-litre engine looks in good order, with no reported faults or issues

• No modifications from factory specification, making this GT Turbo all the more desirable

• Main dealership history

Summary

Whether you’re reliving your (perhaps mis-spent) youth, nostalgic after being driven around by a cool parent or sibling as a child, or you’re like this writer and just love anything that was clearly designed with more straight edges than anything else, there’s no denying the iconic nature of the Renault 5 Turbo, and this ‘phase 2’ GT Turbo looks to be a lovely and wonderfully original example. 

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 Benwick, Peterborough