Designed by Renault stylist Michel Boué in his spare time, the R5 might never have seen the light of day had Renault's senior management not been informed of the project he was working on. They loved the lines of the saloon and immediately authorised a development programme. The rest is history.
Five and a half million Renault 5s were sold at the time, and today the brand has chosen to bring the model back as an electric vehicle with retro styling. It's an icon of French motoring, so early models like this 1980 R5 GTL are increasingly sought after by enthusiasts.
As the photos show, this Renault remains extremely original and displays a patina in keeping with its age.
The seller tells us:
"I bought my R5 from my grandmother's estate in 2019, from my aunt and my mother. My grandmother bought it new from the Michard garage in Loudéac, in the Côtes d'Armor region. The vehicle has always slept in the garage, it's "almost first hand", everything is kept as it was, having been serviced when necessary. No major work has been done or is planned elsewhere. No modifications have been made to the original vehicle.
On every outing, I always get a nice comment from a passer-by or enthusiast. I've also had a few hand signals to say hello, which is nice and triggers a smile."
History and documents
86,458 km indicated
The seller purchased the car from his grandmother's estate in 2019
Originally purchased new from garage Michard in Loudéac, Côtes d'Armor
Still stored in a garage, which justifies what the seller calls its "near-first-hand" status
Kept in original condition, with servicing carried out as required
We are assured that no major work or modifications have been carried out
Has a collector's registration document
The serial numbers match
MOT valid until June 2027
Condition
Relatively rare Apple Green paintwork - the original colour
The car shows some patina inside and out, with various marks, small dents and signs of wear and tear
The vendor notes small rust spots on the roof, visible in the photos
The interior appears to be in good condition for its age, with some light wear near the rocker panels
The fabric on the top of the rear seat has deteriorated somewhat
The vendor notes that the car consistently receives positive comments from passers-by
Mechanicals
1.1-litre C18 four-cylinder petrol engine
Four-speed manual gearbox
Mechanical condition reported as very sound
Engine runs very well, as demonstrated by the seller (see video below)
Some age-related faults, but runs well
Basic specification with drum brakes and no power steering
The seller notes that this R5 is light and fun to drive with decent acceleration
BEFORE BUYING
This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.
✓ We ask that a non-refundable fee is paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.
✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photographs and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.
✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI-checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.
✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com.
