Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

This is so frikkin hot.

It even had 10 cup holders in the back

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• renault_espace_f1_concept_interior.webp

B2TF

I really liked the Avantime, took some courage to design, develop and produce - and sadly it was a bit of a flop. I wonder how they’ll be viewed in future, when super rare?

when super rare?

Already the case right? I occasionally look on eBay and there's 1 or 2 at best, 50% of which are sh*gged

MPV's are cool in Japan right?

MPVs are actually pretty common in NZ, heaps of people rolling around in Sentras, Elgrands etc

That's sick

The Elysion would be my choice.. V6 rather than 4 pot and a proper 6/7 seater.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401105418922

Loved them and they were brilliant. But copied the idea from fiat ;)

Cos people believe the advertising blurb, perceived safer therefore you care more for your little bundle of joy.

You are right, the argument doesn't make sense for me. Note I don't have kids.

Personally, the previa, town ace, royal pro of smallish van or the Nissan cube style vehicle from Japan fit the bill well.

But how many people buy cars anymore?

We have had MPV for wheelchair access for our daughter the last ten years, The Vauxhall Vivaro's were the best we had for reliability, last time we renewed the only suitable one was a Renault Traffic, exactly the same body shape and room as the Vivaro but not as reliable, problems with the Ad-Blue system putting the warning lights on every 4000 to 6000 miles, plus our local Renault dealership has piss poor service.

I'd love a Mk1 Espace. The chassis were galvanised I think and alot of the panels were fibreglass.
We had a Mk3 Espace as a big family of 6, it was loads of fun but Renaults depreciates like a brick don't they.
I'm a bit of a renault fanatic though. This is my Mk1 Renault 5TS.

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That’s very cool. Any chance of more pics/details of the 5?

Just been in Taipei and sick Japanese MPV with a lot of mod's is very much in. Need £8k of rotors and brakes on your grocery go getter? Yes, why not.

Usual Toyota and Honda jobs are everywhere, almost none are stock. Saw a few (stock) Hyundai, didn't spot which model but legit looks like it was designed in a wind tunnel, super slippery round pebble like shape, very understated. Edit, Staria maybe. Looks about right but was sure I saw one that looked a bit older and even slicker. Boggles the mind how UK loves and 'suv' so much.

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Cheers!
Yeah, it's been off the road for over 30 years. Bought new in 1976 and road-rallied by a lady through to the early 80's. All period competition parts and one of the oldest R5's in the country!
Probably only worth 50 pence, but I like it :)

They are very interesting cars (if you like that kind of thing) - The engine is mounted longitudinally and it behind the front axle with the gearbox in front - so it's essentially mid-engineered. For the wild (and valuable) '5 Turbo' mid-engined version, they just put the engine in the back the other way around.
It runs on torsion bars on the front back - unusual to be on the front!
Some pictures of other R5's I've restored/sold over the years, I've had a couple of GT Turbo's too. I commuted daily out of East London in the Gold R5 for a few years until somebody wrote it off in Walthamstow.

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Strong page so far, content matches the thread title for a change.

@Fishfabs these are great, i used to deliver pizza's in a similar vintage gold R5 and the choke would often pack-in on the worst estates. Great design but made my Beetle feel sturdy! GT Turbo was a great looking car (pics please) but i've only ever been a passenger in one. From memory a lot more comfortable than the Clio Williams i tried that felt like it had a solid rear axle.

Yeah! They feel a bit fragile, especially the interior. Ha. I had a beetle too, so good.

I had the two attached, although I never got to drive that GT Turbo, I sold it back into Germany - where it came from. GT Turbo's need alot of care.
I bought the red/white/blue race 5TS when I was 14 for £200 (they were being scrapped as worthless back in the early 2000's) and resprayed it at 15. I sold it to fund college at 17 without properly driving it, but the new owner invited me to drive it at Bands Hatch many years later. It was very funny, only 90bhp.

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The guy that runs the uk Grinduro events (Paul E) got a R5 Turbo 2 last year (or possibly year before) Its fucking sick.

He sold his immaculate phase 1 Gt Turbo to part fund it, I was seriously considering buying the phase 1 off him until i found out what the upkeep requirements on them are to keep them in good order.
He had an immaculate R5 Gordini he also sold to raise funds for the turbo 2 I believe.

Yeah, that's it.
I've managed to subdue my R5 problem by having a child and needy business, but Paul seems to be going full-steam-renault-5. Ha.
I always wanted a Turbo2. My Dad used to do alot of work on Renaults in his workshop, so I've been indoctrinated.

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^ great pic

Is that one of the 5 that have the gearbox ahead of the engine....I have sooo much hate for those still.

Did you go to retromobike the other year to celebrate the Renault 5?

Haha. Yeah, that's it. Why so much hate?
They can be a nightmare to work on some bits to be honest. But they are interesting things I think - born out of the fuel crisis I believe, and Renault ran a budget racing series for decades with them. Picture below #20 was my Dads. The prize money was good enough to cover your costs, if you were winning.
I haven't made it to any shows and have largely forgotten about cars for a few years really. I've got a Mk1 golf and that red 5TS in a shed still, but no time to sort them and they aren't in a state to sell - common excuses eh.

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The hate is from changing a clutch in one. Lack of captive nuts, needing spanners bent to fit.

But the set up is sort of mid engined.

Had a 5 turbo and a gtx. Had a soft spot for the Renault 14, amazingly indestructible as field cars.

Had a softer spot for Citroen's in the french car world.