1991 RENAULT 5 GT TURBO

This Renault 5 GT Turbo is a sought-after modern classic presented in good order, and is the precursor to the range of acclaimed Renault Sport hot hatches of the current era. Under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing around 118bhp, driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

First registered on 25 March 1991, this non-sunroof car has evidently been driven and enjoyed, and has previously been treated to some mechanical and cosmetic modifications. When the vendor acquired the car just over two years ago, a dealer and restorer had invested around £4,500 in refining the car and also bringing the appearance back closer to the original OEM setup.

Since then, the vendor has invested a further sum of around £3,000 to find and refit additional hard-to-source original and replica components, while leaving some of the more discerning mechanical upgrades intact. Having had a recent engine overhaul, it now presents in good order, ready to take to your favourite B-roads. The current owner has covered around 3,000 miles in the car over the last year, taking it to well-established automotive venues and events all over the country, and states that it has not skipped a beat.

The odometer currently indicates 97,582 miles, which is believed to be the approximately accurate figure, though it appears that the odometer had temporarily failed in the past but was replaced, allowing it to function fully again.

There is no known prior damage, and the panels appear to have flush shut lines all around the body. Its paintwork was completely resprayed in 2017, and today it still looks superb, with the vendor reporting a small blemish on the driver’s door where it meets the front quarter panel, and some slight bubbling under the rear screen on the nearside. Prior to the respray, the car was ‘de-locked’ to give it a smoother finish.

There are some minor marks on the nearside wing mirror casing, and a few of the window rubbers have started to split. Some wonderful original features remain on the car, for example where the registration plate is etched into the tail light lenses and window glass. It rides on the correct five-spoke Speedline alloy wheels, which are in excellent condition.

Inside, the grey and red cloth upholstery is believed to be largely original, with the exception of the front seats bolsters that have been re-trimmed. The seat coverings are in good order, though there is a small hole of around 6mm in the top of the rear bench near the parcel shelf. The steering wheel and gear knob are of the correct specification, and present very well, and the door panel trims also look smart. There is an aftermarket Pioneer stereo unit with Bluetooth connectivity, but otherwise the cabin is wonderfully period-correct. Its fog lights are not currently wired in, but otherwise all of the electrics and switches are in full working order.

The last scheduled maintenance was in August 2020, when GT Turbo specialist BD Autosport carried out an engine oil and filter change, fuel filter change, and fitted a new set of spark plugs. Earlier in the vendor’s ownership, BD Autosport was commissioned to carry out an engine overhaul, and in the process fit a large range of original components, both cosmetic and mechanical, focusing predominantly in the engine bay. The carburettor was also re-jetted and set up correctly.

When the vendor acquired the car, it sported a T25 turbocharger - rather than the T2 original - and this was retained, along with an uprated alloy intercooler. The latter has been painted black to look closer to the OE appearance. It is also equipped with an alloy radiator, larger downpipe, Magnex exhaust system, a Valeo clutch, and lowered front suspension. The inner and outer sills were replaced by the restorer who sold the car to the current owner.

Among the original components sourced by the vendor were all new hoses, a replacement turbocharger heat shields, expansion tank, air filter box and cold air feed. He also acquired an OE aerial, instrument dials, bonnet heat mat as well as an authentic gear knob along with a significant number of other original components detailed in the file.

Its last MOT test was on 30 October 2020 at an indicated 97,478 miles, when it passed with one advisory regarding a non-excessive oil leak, once an offside front indicator fault had been repaired. The wheels are fitted with Falken Ziex tyres on all four corners, which are date-coded to 2018 and remain in good condition.

Accompanying the car is documented evidence of the four services carried out during the vendor’s ownership, as well as a detailed file that documents the restoration work carried out on the car by BD Autosport as well as the previous specialist garage. There is an extensive set of photographs, showing not only some of the refurbishment stages but also of the car’s appearances at various automotive venues and gatherings during the current ownership. It is also fitted with an aftermarket alarm system and immobiliser.

This Renault 5 GT Turbo is a well-loved example of a hot hatch icon. It benefits from a notable investment by the current owner to improve not only its mechanical condition, but also to align the car more closely with the stock specification. This is a great opportunity to acquire a popular modern classic, which is most certainly a car to get out and drive, where it can be fully enjoyed on the road.

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 through HPI checks and MOT history where available. 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. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.