Tuesday 11th February 2025

Classic Renault in the garage? Check this out

The electric Renaulution continues apace, but the old guard isn't being forgotten about 

---

Things have changed pretty quickly at Renault of late; as recently as 2020 it was selling record-breaking Meganes with carbon fibre wheels, and the Renaulsport Clio had bowed out not long before. Now Renaultsport is no more, the Alpine performance models will be EV, and actually the best Renaults on sale are battery-powered.

With the current situation going as well as it is, including back-to-back European Car of the Year gongs for the Scenic and 5, it would be all too easy to charge headfirst into the future and forget about the old days. But that’s not Renault’s style; in another move that’ll see its stock rise again with enthusiasts, it has launched something called ‘The Originals Renault la Collection’, described as a ‘new initiative with a range of innovative services for collectors of historic Renault vehicles.’ And we all know there are plenty of those, from Clio V6 to Safrane and 5 Turbo to Avantime. 

While Renault has been offering its equivalent of the Ferrari Classiche service, where owners could have their car verified by the factory, since 2022, the new scheme will see a range of spare parts be made available alongside 50 free-of-charge repair manuals. There isn’t a huge amount of detail on exactly what will be in the Original catalogue for the moment, though the fact that the images released thus far include a piston would suggest it’s going to be more involved than just bumpers and interior trim. The Renault 4 repair manual is the coolest-looking guide of its type you ever did see. 

For now, the Originals scheme is being rolled out in France, though pretty extensively: the aim is for 25 sites across France, putting 80 per cent of the population within 100km (62 miles) of a Renault Garage expert. There are eight locations in France ‘already trained and ready to welcome customers.’ It won’t stop there, either, as Renault very much plans to take Originals to international customers. And, well, we do really love Renaults and aren’t far away from France… 

It looks a smart move, presumably easing some angst that might exist from classic owners in a time of such dramatic change while also getting some money through the door. It’s claimed that The Originals Renault ‘gives collectors access to the unique know-how of dedicated experts committed to protecting their automotive heritage, with solutions developed to meet a full range of needs.’

Even with just a French site live, it isn’t hard to be won over by the expert advice videos from the Renault museum, the €75 for factory verification and the classic car club directory. It’s enough already to make you take the plunge on an old Renault ahead of a UK launch - how does a 5 GT Turbo sound?

---

• 2025 Renault 5 E-Tech | UK Review
• 2023 Alpine A110 R | UK Review

[Ben Lowden]

I like the sound of this - bring it the UK please Renault!

[Watcher of the skies]

"For collectors of historic Renault vehicles"

...bring your own dustpan and brush

[Skaben]

All manufacturers should be offering these kind of services, I'm all for it

[damonbill]

You can wear this at the same time: https://www.depop.com/products/anyoneforsecondsclo...

[blearyeyedboy]

Flipping brilliant.

If it's exected well, this will keep generations of Clio and Mégane RS cars on the road and racetrack for years to come.

[LotusOmega375D]

I’ve got an old Renault spare parts ashtray for my Gaulloises. Does that count?



Oh and a R5 Turbo 1 workshop manual:

Edited by LotusOmega375D on Tuesday 11th February 13:50

[dukebox9reg]

Grew up with Renaults. Renault 11, 19 Chamade, 21 Savannah, 25 TXE, Safrane 2.2Vi

Awesome cars. Had plenty of Renaults myself (including at the height of Max Power a 2.0 8 v mk1 Laguna with a PSG streetfighter bodykit, huge sound system and lowered so much couldn't carry rear passengers)

I honestly would love a Talisman if they did them in the UK (reminds me of Renault old days). Huge soft spot for the 90's early 00's Renaults. Not so much now.

Been eyeing up a mint Laguna V6 for a while now.....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411146...

Edited by dukebox9reg on Tuesday 11th February 14:31

[Turbobanana]

dukebox9reg said:

Grew up with Renaults. Renault 11, 19 Chamade, 21 Savannah, 25 TXE, Safrane 2.2Vi

Awesome cars. Had plenty of Renaults myself (including at the height of Max Power a 2.0 8 v mk1 Laguna with a PSG streetfighter bodykit, huge sound system and lowered so much couldn't carry rear passengers)

I honestly would love a Talisman if they did them in the UK (reminds me of Renault old days). Huge soft spot for the 90's early 00's Renaults. Not so much now.

Been eyeing up a mint Laguna V6 for a while now.....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411146...

Edited by dukebox9reg on Tuesday 11th February 14:31

Agreed. We had a 16 and a 20 when I was a kid. I sold new and used Renaults for a couple of years, 1997-99. I've had a Scenic and an Espace and would happily have a Talisman Estate (Break) if sold in the UK.

Any scheme that allows the older cars to be maintained more easily is a win from my perspective.

[JJJ.]

Good to hear. Toyed with the idea a couple of times about purchasing an R16, parts supply was always a concern.

[Gibbler290]

Toyota also do this (in Japan at least) with the Gazoo Racing Heritage Parts program. Aimed towards sportier models mind you.

[Squoz]

I hope they extend making parts to Clio 182s! They stopped making one of the Xenon headlights and the front wheel arch liners are impossible to find.

[alex_2015]

Yeah, I guess you need to have deep pockets for this kind of services. I don't see Renault sheds owners using this service. All those trashing bagniloes you see everyday everywhere won't ever see Garage Renault.
For expensive cars like Ferrari it makes sense, for mass consumption ones like Renault I really doubt it will see enough customers to make it profitable.

Edited by alex_2015 on Tuesday 11th February 18:45

[jay-kay-em]

When all EV's are essentially the same (they're all fast, all the same tech, same soulless driving experience etc.) then manufacturers are desperately looking for a USP.

That USP is brand history, they have nothing else.

With the fresh batch of Chinese upstarts coming to the table with nothing in this area, suddenly watch all the western brands embrace their classics.

Porsche kicked it all off and their classic support is really good.

I'm utterly supportive and I hope it brings much needed support to Renault's historic and young timer line up.

[The rapid detailer]

This is fantastic news for my Clio Williams 1 and 172 cup. Fingers crossed it come over.

[AnotherClarkey]

Oooh, R8 Gordini and an early Espace please!

[GPH]

It's a start.....
It is not "access to servicing" we need but unique parts which Renault sold off a few years after RS Clios and Meganes went out of production and gave a Gallic shrug when asked Why?

Then they hoped RS customers would buy an A110 but they couldn't supply simple parts like bumpers or a clutch for a Clio V6...
Non Merci.

But maybe they were listening to the complaints after all.

[Trevor555]

Great idea, but too late for me.

I sold my Spider back in 2008 because the parts dept told me many parts no longer available.

I'd love a Clio Baccara, or a Williams.

[Tempest1961]

Excellent News.... Maybe they will start supporting the Avantime now.

[SS427 Camaro]

blearyeyedboy said:

Flipping brilliant.

If it's exected well, this will keep generations of Clio and Mégane RS cars on the road and racetrack for years to come.

Fingers xd ! The parts availability for the R5 GT Turbo is Dire….