1985 RENAULT 5 TURBO 2

This Renault 5 Turbo 2 is a superb example of the idiosyncratic 1980s hot hatch, presented in remarkably good order following a £40,000 engine-out refurbishment. Mounted behind the driver is a 1.4-litre Garrett T3 turbocharged engine, uprated with a Cévennes manifold, with rear-wheel drive through the five-speed manual transmission. The vendor reports that the motor is now producing 170bhp on half factory boost. The odometer indicates 55,120 km (34,250 miles).

Dispatched from the factory in France in 1985, this Turbo 2 was supplied to its first owner in Japan via Central Auto Services in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo. Its ownership is extremely well documented, and as such it is known that the first owner was a Mr Chikao, who kept the car until January 1996, selling it to a Mr Akira, who would go on to use the car frequently for a few years and even commuting in it, before dry storing the Renault for around 18 years.

In 2018, the car was offered for sale, as Mr Akira was now approaching 75 years of age and felt the car would suit a new custodian. It was sent to auction - where it was recorded as being in exceptionally original condition, with no accident damage and a clean underside - and was purchased by Heartbeat Motors of Sydney. Upon arrival in Australia, it was mechanically overhauled, including new coolant pipes, fuel filters, refurbished brakes, new wheels and tyres, and more.

The current owner happened upon an advertisement for the now-refreshed Turbo 2 while browsing the classifieds during lockdown in Scotland, and after around five measures of whisky. With no examples for sale in the UK, and only questionable colour schemes on offer in Europe, this particular car stood out in its demure dark grey over cream velour - not to mention its intriguing trans-continental history. The purchase was concluded within days, and the car arrived after some 55 days at sea. It was officially imported, with all taxes paid, and was re-registered with the DVLA in December 2020.

Today, its bodywork and underside still presents in excellent order, benefiting from its lengthy time in Tokyo with its salt-free roads. The dark grey paint finish has recently been fully detailed and is described by the vendor as being virtually immaculate, with only a couple of very small imperfections, including near the fuel filler, and with a minor bubble on the passenger door. The decals, light lenses, and body trims are all present and correct, and the four-bolt alloy wheels are pristine.

Inside, the cream ‘teddy’ velour is original and very well preserved, with only some modest bunching of the fabric and some age-related discolouration. The centre console and footwell carpet areas are marked and slightly stained in places, but there is no unsightly damage, and it arguably all adds to the cabin’s well-earned patina. Ahead of the driver is the correct three-spoke steering wheel, with the original gear knob falling easily to hand, as well as the full complement of Jaeger instrument dials. There are no faults with any of the switchgear, and no electrical issues.

Following its arrival in the UK, the car was sent to leading Renault 5 Turbo specialist Melliard of London (in Nottingham) for a comprehensive mechanical restoration. The engine was removed and refurbished, with a rebuild of the turbocharger, and with the owner stating that every other major part was also tweaked and improved where possible. New Bilstein suspension was installed, the heat shielding was replaced, and the fuel tanks were thoroughly cleaned, among lots of other work. In total, the refurbishment came to around £40,000, and more recently the car has had another major £3,000 full service with the same specialist. It is currently dry-stored on a trickle charger, and is available for viewings in Kensington.

Accompanying the car is an impressive record of the car’s ownership in Japan, to the dealer in Australia, and now to its third documented private owner from new. Invoices for all of the recent and extensive work are of course also on file. The fun cherished registration ‘BAD 55S’ is included in the sale.

The character of the Turbo 2 is neatly summarised by journalist Richard Meaden, who revisited the car for a group test in 2016: “The front end has decent bite and there’s roll and compliance in the suspension, so you feel it soak up the lateral load. You can kid yourself there’s little more to learn, until you decide to provoke it, at which point you discover there’s another side to the Turbo. One in which the tail is happy to take control.”

This Renault 5 Turbo 2 is an exciting hot hatch with superb provenance, having been thoroughly enjoyed but well-maintained on the roads of Tokyo and surrounding areas, before being subjected to a comprehensive mechanical refurbishment over the last few years. The vendor says that this compact modern classic is “like a mini F40; it pops and bangs on the over-run and drives perfectly”. As a slice of 1980s performance car nostalgia, the Turbo 2 is hard to beat, and this example must be among the very best, thanks to substantial recent investment to improve and enhance its condition.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently covered by a finance agreement, but the remaining balance will be cleared before ownership is transferred to the buyer.