1988 RENAULT 5 GT TURBO

This Renault 5 GT Turbo is a restored example of the Gallic marque’s effervescent eighties hot hatch. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 1.4-litre inline-four engine producing up to 118bhp, driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The odometer reads only 60,037 miles.

This entertaining Renault was first registered on 2 June 1988 and has only four previous keepers on the log book. The third owner was responsible for its exhaustive restoration, with fastidious attention to detail. Its fifth owner acquired the car around 18 months ago, being pulled in by the nostalgia as a Renault 5 had been their first car when younger. They have since covered around 400 miles, using the car only on fine weather days.

The GT Turbo cuts a striking figure thanks to a complete strip down and respray in the correct Pearl White Supergloss paint, which is in pristine condition. The vendor advises that the bumpers, mouldings, doors, bonnet, bootlid and all glass were removed during the respray, while the cavities have been treated with Waxoyl prior to road use. The underbody has also been protected with Dinitrol anti-corrosion formula. The distinctive GT Turbo decals were also replaced as part of the restoration process, while the ‘Phase 2’ Speedline alloy wheels have been refurbished, and are now immaculate.

The time-warp condition of this GT Turbo continues inside, with the impeccable condition of the ‘Petale’ sports seats and OE front and rear carpets. The vendor notes that there is a small tear in the red foot well fabric near the driver’s door, but otherwise the cabin is in superb order. The dashboard switchgear is still intact and in full working condition, with period-correct touches including the Pioneer radio cassette unit.

While the car has had routine checks before and after each recent drive out, the most recent full service was at 59,234 miles in May 2018. This included an oil change after a new turbocharger was installed. It was previously serviced in April 2017 at 58,382 miles, and in October 2016 at 58,265 miles, when the gearbox oil was also renewed.

The restoration commissioned by the third owner was evidently extensive, as the detailed set of images in the photo gallery show. It is unquestionably a show-quality modern classic, but also one which deserves to continue being driven in fair weather on the road. The car’s history file shows some £4,500 spent on parts alone during the restoration process, with a list of replaced and refurbishment parts following at the end of this listing.

The most recent MOT test was on 25 June 2020 at 59,950 miles. This was a pass with no advisories at the second attempt, following a fix to the nearside front indicator wiring. The wheels are shod in a matching set of Yokohama A539 tyres, which are in very good condition with approximately 6mm of tread remaining.

An exceedingly well-presented example of an increasingly rare 1980s performance icon, this Renault 5 GT Turbo would be a wonderful addition to any collection of modern classics or hot hatches. Benefiting from sympathetic but detailed restoration, it is sure to delight its next owner, whether they are behind the wheel or simply admiring it in their garage.

Restoration work carried out:

• Full glass-out respray in Pearl White Supergloss. Waxoyl in cavities and underbody coated in Dinitrol
• Replacement OE green bonded windscreen
• Front and rear subframe bushes replaced, both subframes repainted
• Suspension and steering components stripped back and painted
• New OE shock absorbers and polyurethane top mounts, bearings, all new bushes and new track rod ends fitted
• Axles stripped with new bearings fitted
• Brake callipers cleaned and painted with new front and rear discs and pads all round
• New OE exhaust
• New OEM Phase 2 Renault 5 GT Turbo decals fitted
• Replacement water pump, thermostat, rebuilt T2 Turbocharger, hoses, all oils and filters changed, new Bosch fuel pump. Various new gaskets installed, tappets checked and fluids replaced

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