1965 RENAULT 8 1100

This Renault 8 1100 is a charming French classic, finished in a superb period colour scheme and presented in excellent condition throughout. Mounted at the rear, and driving the rear wheels, is a 1.1-litre inline-four petrol engine, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 52,900 miles.

The successor to the Dauphine, the Renault 8 introduced a number of innovations to its market segment, including an automatic choke, a sealed cooling system, and disc brakes on all four corners - a first for a saloon car of its size.

First registered on 1 March 1965, this Renault 8 has just three previous keepers on the V5C. It has formed part of the Renault UK Heritage Collection for nearly 15 years, during which time it has been carefully stored in a dehumidified chamber by a specialist automotive storage and logistics company, and has been regularly maintained to a high standard.

In 2004, this car was given a partial cosmetic restoration, with replacement of all four doors and all four wings with new items, and was subsequently given a respray to blend the panels into the rest of the bodywork. Today, it presents well, with impressive shut lines and smooth metalwork. Chromework all around the car is also in very good order.

Its red paint finish looks smart overall, though is described as being in fair condition, as the resprayed sections in the past have led to slight colour variations, and there is some flaking in the door shuts. It rides on 15-inch steel wheels with polished hubcaps, which are all in great shape.

In the cabin, the tan leather upholstery presents in good order, commensurate with the low indicated mileage. There is of course some minor wear and discolouration due to its age, but overall the interior has a smart appearance. Its dashboard is believed to be entirely original, with no cracks or other damage, and with a handsome patina across the trim elements and switches. The fuel gauge is currently inoperative, but there are no other known faults.

The last routine maintenance was carried out in February 2020 at 52,833 miles, which comprised an oil service and renewal of the spark plugs. While it has been kept in good running order while part of the Renault UK Heritage Collection by the in-house team, the service history prior to their ownership is unknown. Its wheels are fitted with period-style Michelin ZX tyres, which are date-coded to 2005, and still have around 5mm of tread. A spare wheel is also present, though its tyre is in poor condition and dates to 1993.

The most recent MOT test was on 26 February 2020 at 52,843 miles, when it achieved a first-time pass with no defects whatsoever. In fact, over the last 15 years of annual inspections, the Renault has never had so much as a single advisory - a testament to its impressive condition and fastidious storage.

This Renault 8 1100 is a well-presented popular classic, which will no doubt trigger nostalgic memories from many bidders who may have grown up with a Renault 8 as the everyday family car. It is rare to find an example with such low mileage that is also so straight and solid, not to mention boasting an incredibly clean recent MOT history. As such, it would make a fine addition to any collection of classics, and a charming weekend cruiser ready for the warmer months.

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