1981 Renault 5 Turbo

POA

Equipment

Gris Galaxie (625) paintwork with Bleu (496) exterior trim, Blue leatherette with striped velour upholstery, Original turbine alloy wheels, Mid-mounted 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, 5-speed manual transmission, Rear wheel drive, Turbo decals, Two-spoke steering wheel, Numbered dash plaque, Manual windows, Analogue dash clock, Cibie yellow driving lights, Aero fuel filler cap, Original Gotti spare wheel, Complete toolkit, Luggage straps, Spare keys, Original sales brochure.

Exterior

We are delighted to present this rare 1981 R5 Turbo, a true 80s pinup and one of the most iconic hot hatches of all time. The body is finished in striking Gris Galaxie with correctly contrasting blue exterior trim, all in good order. After a full detail and machine polish the metallic paintwork has a great depth of shine with an attractive ice-blue tint depending on the light. The bumpers retain their factory-spec matte sheen and we’re pleased to see the matching Turbo decals positioned correctly on the doors and rear glass. The car sits on original turbine alloy wheels shod in matching Michelin TRX tyres with minimal wear, and all the lights are clear and crack-free.

Interior

The interior is excellent having been treated to a high-quality re-trim by leading marque specialists in Courtenay, France, only four years ago. The vibrant blue and red colour scheme is true to the car’s original spec when it left Dieppe back in 1981, and everything feels like new including the carpets and headlining. The correct two-spoke steering wheel is fitted along with a factory T1 gear knob and individually numbered dash plaque. Open the rear hatch and you’ll find a number of items that are commonly missing in these cars including the removable parcel shelf, luggage straps, and a complete toolkit.

At the current mileage of 49,500 km (30,758 miles) the car has just returned from a full shakedown and service in preparation for sale. We have had the pleasure of owning and driving a number of these cars and can certainly vouch for just how well this one goes; the engine is unmodified but lively, and the gear selection is smooth. Recent mechanical work includes a full service and inspection, brake fluid change, front suspension rebuild including new shocks, radiator re-core and cooling system flush, original starter motor rebuild, new clutch slave cylinder, new cooling fan, etc, etc.

Hand-assembled in Dieppe’s Alpine factory in April 1981, this low mileage example was originally supplied to Germany (country code 120). It resided there for several years before finding its way into a large private collection in Austria. In 2021, after some time tucked away, it was acquired by the previous owner who had been specifically looking for a Turbo in the rare Galaxy Grey colour scheme.

Since arriving in the UK earlier this year, the car has been registered with the DVLA with all taxes paid on arrival. For the new keeper’s peace of mind, it has also received a full check over and service. The accompanying history folder includes a complete and original German-market sales brochure, invoices totalling more than £32k since 2021, registration documents, and a spare set of keys. As one of only 1,678 original Renault 5 Turbos ever produced, the car presents a rare opportunity to own a fast-appreciating piece of 80s motoring history.

1981 Renault 5 Turbo

Equipment

Exterior

Interior

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

History File