"The Renault 5 Alpine was one of the first hot-hatches, launched in 1976 - going on sale two months before the original Volkswagen Golf GTI. The right-hand drive version was shown at the British Motor Show in 1978 and was officially on sale from 4 April 1979 in the UK and was sold as the Renault 5 Gordini because Chrysler Europe already had the rights to the name Alpine in the UK. UK launch price was £4149, nearly a third more than the previous top model the TS at £3187, showing the considerable changes to the car over the 64PS TS which could not reach 100 mph compared to the 93PS Gordini which could reach 110 mph. The 1.4 L OHV engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox, was based on the Renault Sierra pushrod engine, but having a crossflow cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers and developed 92 hp, twice as much as a standard 1108 cc Renault 5. The larger engine and its various performance parts meant that the spare wheel could no longer fit there and was relocated to the boot/trunk. The Alpine could be identified by special alloy wheels and front fog lights and was equipped with stiffened suspension, but still retaining the torsion bar at the rear with added anti-roll bars. Renault quoted a top speed of 110 mph and tested in the July 1979 issue of UK magazine CAR, it achieved a 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds.
First registered 8th August 1979, this rare Silver Mk I Gordini is likely one of the earliest examples of a Mk I still in existence in the UK. Purchased in 2015 complete and as a good runner it was owned by two brothers who took great pride in their cars and loved this 5 dearly. They maintained the car- which could outperform a turbo car in certain situations- impeccably. The seats are very rare, in the original fabric and in fantastic condition, having spent much of their lives having been protected by special seat covers made to protect them and complement the original interior. As with all old Renault 5s it had some bodywork imperfections, therefore our vendor decided to sympathetically restore it, and spent many hours of the restoration determined to keep this car as original as possible- including a sympathetic respray. The decals have been reproduced from originals, wheels have been refurbished and diamond cut, new tyres fitted and it presents as a time warp example. Having been in storage since the restoration was completed and not driven on the road since, it is therefore stunning; but with this in mind, the car would benefit from a check over before it was driven on the road in anger. Simply put, find another… and then find another in this condition with thousands spent in a sympathetic restoration. A true collectors dream and incredibly rare on these shores. Why waste your time with a Mini, when you could have Gordini?
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