Judging by the license plates the Renault owners who visited the Renaultoloog Festival came from Belgium, Germany, France, the UK and -of course- the Netherlands. Maybe I’m forgetting a few. The international event took place for the 3rd time.
This year’s edition was held on the 10th and 11th of September in Kronenberg, in the south of the Netherlands. But given the sunny and warm weather and the laid-back atmosphere it almost felt as if we were in the south of France. How appropriate.
Here’s a 1957 Renault Dauphinoise. In 1956 Renault renamed the Juvaquatre Break (wagon) to Dauphinoise. The Juvaquatre model was built from 1937 to 1960.
1961 Renault 4CV, showing its 747 cc 4-cylinder rear engine.
1965 Renault Dauphine Gordini.
1965 Renault Caravelle S convertible.
From 1965 to 1974 DINA from Mexico, best known for their buses and trucks, built the Dinalpin A110. That’s DINA plus Alpine A110.
The highly successful and beloved Renault 4. More than 8.1 million of them were built, from 1961 to 1992.
An early one, this 1964 R4. Like the 4CV further above, also powered by the 747 cc engine.
Now here’s something special, a 1984 Renault 4TL Sinpar. This 4×4 model, powered by the 845 cc Ventoux engine, was originally used by the French Air Force.
Another prominent model in Renault’s car history is the 5. Built in two generations, from 1972 to 1996.
This 1984 Renault 5 Automatic is a typical -and clean- example of how most people remember the R5 and its looks.
The second generation was introduced in 1984, above a 1990 Renault 5 GTE. Powered by a 1.7 liter 4-cylinder engine. That’s a big engine for such a small and light car.
And now the turbo kicks in ! Splendid 1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo. Under its hood a 115 hp 1.4 liter engine with a Garrett T2 turbocharger.
Now then, personally I don’t know any other car model with such a split –Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde- personality as the R5 range. Meet Mr Edward Hyde: a 1982 Renault 5 Turbo. Rear mid engine, rear wheel drive, 160 hp from its 1.4 liter turbocharged engine.
Of course we just can’t get enough of these, so here’s a 1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2.
Renault 11 TXE. Mind you, with 5 velocidades ! The 1983 Renault 11 was basically the hatchback version of the 1981 Renault 9 sedan. The TXE has a 82 hp 1.7 liter engine.
A Renault 12 trio.
From Germany, this Renault 12 automatic. The 12 was introduced in 1969, and while the French production run ended in 1980, the production in other parts of the world continued for many years.
A part of the Renault 15/17 family, a good number of them showed up, as can be seen in this article’s first picture.
1973 Renault 17 TL.
And another 1973 17 TL.
Under no circumstances the Renault 16 may be absent at any classic Renault show or event.
1967 Renault 16, powered by a 1,470 cc 4-cylinder engine.
1976 Renault 16 TL.
1984 Renault 18 GTL American. The 18 was introduced in 1978 and was available as sedan and wagon.
The 20/30-series was Renault’s new 1975 top model. An executive car, only offered as a 5-door hatchback. It was also the first Renault model with the (then new) 2,664 cc PRV V6 engine. Pictured a 1981 Renault 30 TX.
Renault 21 2 L. Turbo. That means it has a fuel injected and turbocharged 1,995 cc SOHC 8v engine, good for 175 hp. The 21 was built from 1986 to 1995 and was offered as a sedan, hatchback and wagon.
The successful Renault 25 executive car was introduced in 1983. Above a 1991 Renault 25 V6 Baccara, the most luxurious trim level. The engine is the 2,849 cc PRV V6.
1990 Renault 25 V6 Injection. Comfortable, roomy inside, practical, excellent handling.
The Safrane (no numbers anymore) replaced the 25 in 1992. And just like the 16, 20/30 and 25 it was only available as a 5-door hatchback. Pictured a 1993 Renault Safrane 2.2si RT.
1982 Renault Fuego GTX 2 litres.
The European equivalent of the contemporary Dodge Caravan (known as Chrysler Voyager in Europe), a 1992 Renault Espace RT 2.2i.
The current Espace model.
First generation Renault Twingo with an attitude.
2002 Renault –ahead of its time– Avantime with a V6 engine.
2005 Renault Vel Satis. This model was Renault’s executive car from 2002 to 2009, the one above is powered by a 2 liter turbocharged gasoline engine.
This is the last generation of the Renault Laguna, a D-segment car. Pictured a 2009 Laguna wagon.
Besides the hatchback and the wagon there was also this very neat Laguna coupe.
Renault’s current D-segment model is the Talisman, available as sedan and wagon. That’s right, no hatchback anymore.
We end this part of the tour with a few go-fast models, like this 1987 Renault Alpine V6 GT (1984-1991 GTA generation).
And a 1979 Alpine A310 V6.
In part two we will have a look at all the other on-and off-road vehicles that Renault built and still builds.
OMG; Renault Heaven! That first picture with all those 15/17s lined up, is a Renaultgasm. And I have such a soft spot for the R16.
Now that’s my idea of a car show; not a single ’69 Camaro or Cadillac anywhere! Thanks for sharing this treat.
We need this article dropped in place of any attempted brougham article in the future.
Going down these pictures, I ran across about half of my list of “cars I’d desperately love to own, but never will”.
Interesting that the 18 was called an American. It was sold in the USA but no longer in 1984, except the sportwagon till 86. The two tone treatment does look American.
The two tone treatment does look American.
Yes, iirc that black over silver treatment is shown in the US 18i brochure.
You do indeed recall correctly; the two-tone 18is looked pretty darn good in that brochure.
I recall reading a review of the Renault R5 (which was called “Le Car”) and the title of the review was “Minimal motoring with a sense of humor”.
Funny how I forgot two different anniversaries but still remember that review title.
I remember one of those pocket rockets flashing by me going up Angeles Crest Highway in the mid ’80’s. I wouldn’t kick one out of my driveway, though the “LeCar” name it got in the US was pretty strange. What a fantastic collection of Renault’s, so many interesting models I’ve never seen before.
…the title of the review was “Minimal motoring with a sense of humor”.
The comment I remember from R&T, regarding the R5’s soft springs, abundant wheel travel, but ultimately decent grip was “it corners better on it’s door handles than the other cars do upright”
Still think it should have been called ‘La Caresse’.
Sadly, there do not seem to be French car shows in my area. German and Brit, yes, but no French.
Interesting that the 15 and 17 at that show have the same roofline and only appear to be differentiated by having or not having louvers over the rear side windows.
Both the 15 and 17 were initially offered in the US, but the 15 had a very different roof and window treatment.
Road testers in the mid 70s always proclaimed the sunroof motors in the 17 Gordini sounded exactly like the flap motors in a 707.
I think the sunroof sounds the same as the one in the R16 in which case it’s driven by an interesting pancake motor that’s housed in the sunroof itself and there’re two brushes that track down a long pair of contact strips in the roof cavity.
Great video posting. I haven’t heard that sound since the ’70’s.
My apologies. *now* I see the 15, the one nearest the camera.
Cargasm!
The Juvaquatre Break is a strange mix. Part ’34 Hupmobile, part Hillman Husky.
Thanks for the post. As a former R5 owner, I love seeing old Renaults. I’m actually going to be in Amsterdam next month, but only during weekdays. Seeing a show like this would be great.
I may be the only American with warm feelings towards the Dauphine. I was about 6 years old when we visited some relatives in California in 1965. A Dauphine was the car that the teenaged kids drove and I got several rides in it. I had fun riding in it and the kids seemed to have fun driving it. I have no idea how long it lasted in that kind of service. Having eventually become a teenage driver myself and later having three of my own, I cannot imagine it lasted long.
Every Renault I ever saw after the Dauphine completely lacked the “cute factor” that had been partially responsible for making the Dauphine such a hit here in the US. And there was no need to worry about trying to find one once I started driving, because they had all disappeared years earlier.
No, I’m another one. It was the first car I ever drove, in the driveway at age 13. Dad brought one home at lunchtime on summer day in 1963, and since it had the pushbutton automatic he let me run it back and forth in the driveway while he ate lunch. Stayed out to watch the first pass, then satisfied that I wouldn’t hit anything went in for lunch.
And the CUV fever screwed the Espace. It might still be a nice, comfortable, competent numerous family cruiser… but despite still looking good, now looks like a CUV instead of a proper minivan… Same for the new Scénic. Johannes, no Clios in the show? It and the Mégane are my favorite current Renaults… especially the 3rd gen Clio and current Mégane…
About the Safrane, funny how it got Volvo 5 pot engines in trade for the 1.9 TD/ 1.9 dCi in the Volvo S/V40…
Yes, there were Clios. And 19s, Meganes, Scenics…but you just have to stop adding pictures somewhere…
I quite like the new / current Megane too. For those who are unfamiliar with the model: it’s Renault’s C-segment car. Their VW Golf competitor, in other words. Offered as hatchback and wagon. Below the hatchback.
Well… I also didn’t notice the Clio IV in front of the R5 GT Turbo… Anyways, great show, and thanks for the coverage, Johannes! The current Mégane really looks good. And their C-chaped DRL’s bring the so desired “signature” for Renault… This is the first generation that doesn’t leave people waiting for the Coupe. The sad part is that there won’t be a coupe 🙁
About the current Espace. I just checked Renault’s Dutch website. They define the Espace as a crossover (and that’s a CUV), not as an MPV. So they do agree with you…
The new Espace looks like a nightmare on acid.
The gen. 1 through 3 Espaces were proper Renault (and Matra) — whatever this is now just lost the plot completely. Tiny windows, fussy / busy styling, chrome strips? Just terrible. That’s not what the Espace should be.
Tiny windows, fussy / busy styling, chrome strips? Just terrible.
That is what I call “Asian school” styling, as that is where the most tortured examples come from. As you see, those themes are infecting some European models, like the Astra, which has been steadily deteriorating since the Astra H, and some of the newer Renaults, which I wish I could unsee. The other styling language I call “German school” as it’s typified by more tasteful lines, lower beltlines and windows you can see out of.
You hit the nail on the head, Steve.
That new Espace should be a Nissan.
Hmm. Renault owns Nissan, so does that mean the tasteful design that should have been a Renault will show up as a Nissan instead? 😉
Probably the designer’s coffee spilled on the Nissan badge in the sketches, and they slapped a Renault badge on its place…
Johannes, what a great selection of Renault cars! And I am so glad to see the Renault 4 TL. If you happen to have a shot of a ’71 in forest green please post it here. It’s our family’s first car.
Sorry, no 1971 R4 in forest green in stock.
The CC effect continues: just ran across a Renault Logan (with Mexican plates) here in the DC area this morning. Nice to see any French car in person these days; really enjoyed your car show post as well.
Just spotted a Renault Caravelle convertible driving through a Montreal shopping mall, while I was sitting in my dentist’s waiting room on Thursday afternoon. I don’t recall seeing one of these in the flesh since the 1960’s!
Magnifique! Thank you Johannes.
What a selection of 12, 15, 16, 17, all my favourite Renaults!
How to pick one? It’d would have to be that yellow 17 with the roll back sunroof on a day like this one, though the case for the wonderful, innovative and practical 16 is a big one. And I’ll take an Avantime over a current Espace.
I sense that Renault is entering another golden period, after some blander times, with cars like the Captur, Kadjar and the latest Clio, which is high on my “possibles” list
Both Renault and Peugeot seem to be on a roll these days. A good thing !
Blue R5 Turbo is very tempting, as is the A310 V6, but I’m going to take that orange R15 home please.
Thank you Johannes for sharing all of your Euro car and truck show visits. I am another one who appreciates seeing many vehicles not found in the States. Hope to visit sometime and spend days just looking. Plenty of smiles.
I’ve never seen a Renault 5/lecar convertible. was that a one off or a factory build?
There was no factory R5 convertible. EBS, a Belgian company, did R5 convertible conversions. Maybe there were other coachbuilders too, but this is the information I found on a car site.
Nice Fuego! I sold mine 26 years ago and I still miss it. If Renault ever comes back to the States, I would be the first in line for a new one.
Nice spread of Renaults, I dont see too many here the only French brand thats still rare in this area.
Rare this side of the ditch too.
The Safrane was later used as the name for the rebadged Renault Latitude in Mexico, Chile, I believe too, and the Middle East. Speaking of which, were there any Latitudes in the festival? What about Fluences?
I didn’t see the Latitude (basically a Korean Renault Samsung SM5), nor the Fluence. These are not offered in the Netherlands, but I know that the Latitude is available in other Euro-countries.
Thanks! I thought they were sold there.
thx Johannes. I kind of figured it wasn’t a factory convertible but you never know.
you guys in Europe always got the fun versions.
Thanks Johannes for a fascinating show.
Did any Renault 3s show up? The 4s I saw in my childhood seemed very basic. The idea of a de-contented 4 just seems unthinkable, and fascinating for that reason.
No, I didn’t see an R3. According to the information I found it was only built in 1961 and 1962, and it was only available in France. With a 603 cc engine.
I’m impressed both by the sheer diversity and by the overall condition of these cars. The Netherlands must be Europe’s leading nation when it comes to classic cars (together with Sweden). I can’t think of many places where you can still behold a whole lineup of mint R15/17s. Not to mention a R30TX, the last one of which I saw on a French road maybe 20 years ago. If I had to pick only one of these cars it’d be the 1957 Dauphinoise. Gezellig, he?
Great selection of cars that, for the most part, I’ve never seen in the metal. Though we did get Renaults here for some time, there are so few left that all I can really remember seeing in person are the 5 (badged, of course, LeCar) and the Fuego. And it’s been absolutely ages since I’ve seen either.
We did get versions of the 9, 11, 21, and 25 as the Alliance, Encore, Medallion, and Eagle Premier, respectively. The differences ranged from subtle (11/Encore) to radical (the 25 and Premier were cousins at best).
I have seen a few Le Cars and one Fuego in person, but that is it. All of these cars are neat to look at with their various fascinating details so thank you for posting them. The Avantime and 1992 Espace are neat to look at though some vehicles do look dated.