If you haven't got £135k to bag the Renault 5 Turbo 1 I've just been admiring the PH classifieds, I thought I'd present something on a similar theme but a little more affordable. And just as readable as a topic, I hope. This might not be a Group 4 homologation special but, I think you'll agree, it is still a bit special. It's a GT Turbo Phase 1 with just 26,000-odd miles and two owners under its belt. I know the 'POA' leaves an almighty unanswerable hanging over it, but it won't be £135k, I feel sure of that.
If you value originality, it's pitched as unrestored, with the original Pearl White metallic paint, Turbo stickers and glasshouse. Even nicer is the fact that it comes with the original bill of sale, which, of course, is in dot-matrix print and as of its time as the car's decals. That sort of provenance pleases me.
And even though the Brodie Brittain Racing Phase 1 upgrade and Level 1 suspension aren't from the factory, the fact that it was upgraded way back in 1992 and also has the bill accompanying it, I think it's forgivable and doesn't detract from the car in the way that many GT Turbo upgrades did. It doesn't state the horsepower increase it gives, but I believe 175hp was around about the figure? And the suspension changes should go some way to dampening down the GT Turbo's desire to dart left when if it's all deployed.
I'd be keen to find out from anyone in the know what that upgrade did for the 0-60 time? Enough to give Renault's forthcoming 5 EV Concept a run for its money, I shouldn't wonder. It's certainly a substantial increase over the factory output, which was 115hp and gave the R5 GT its healthily sub-eight-second time - a time that was already quick back in the day and placed it in a different league to an XR2. That power hike would point to an odds-on detonation being in the offing, but the fact that, after all these years, the little 1.4-litre pushrod is pushing a set of eight, straight rods, and the Garrett T2 turbo hasn't exited and left a blasthole in the bonnet, it's probably safe to say it's unlikely to go pop any time soon.
Otherwise, it looks untouched and very fresh. The condition of the seats, the original wheels and the paintwork seem to tally with its minimal miles and belie its 35 years. If you need added peace of mind that the miles are as stated, then check out the bulging MOT file that maps its progress through to 2019.
I remember a fella from college had a Phase II GT Turbo. He was called Elvis, but nothing about him chimed with the King. He was a prat, as proved by the way he'd pop open the rear side windows and claim "it looks well fat, innit" then cement his idiocy by saying "I Turbo in your face" as the dump valve he'd fitted farted more sense than he ever did. But you can't judge a book buy its cover nor a car by its owner, so I never held a grudge against the Renault 5 GT Turbo. And it's cracking to see one as fresh as this.
SPECIFICATION | RENAULT 5 GT TURBO
Engine: 1,397cc, 4 cylinders, turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 115 @ 5750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 121 @ 3750rpm
0-60mph: 7.5 sec
Top speed: 127mph
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Year registered: 1986
Price new: £7,651.23 (this car)
Yours for: £POA
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