Mk1 Renault 5

[jxke]

Just picked this up yesterday from the advert on here, it now lives in Bedfordshire - a few before photos, I’ve just given it a thorough clean and it came up quite nice the pictures dont really do it justice how much dirt and mould came off, some more photos of the rest of the car and subsequent work to follow, my plan is just to get it back on the road and use it. I love it

 

[jxke]

It came with 6 matching spare wheels which is handy as the ones on there are just temporary to move it, I refurbed one and it came up nice so I will do the rest and get tyres on and then it will be rolling easier at least, runs nice too

 

[jxke]

Got time to swap 2 of my old tyres from my mk2 5 van onto the new refurbished wheels to replace the 2 flat ones on the car so it now rolls, I drove it round the block to check the brakes and stuff and it’s all good so onto the structural/roadworthiness side of things, with some general tlc along the way

 

[jxke]

Progress has happened! It now has an MOT, the correct tyres, and some other stuff, it had a fairly major altitude drop so it handles nicely and compliments how tiny the car is, it needs more bodywork but the bumpers and trims have been refinished in the correct colour so they look almost new, time to try and use it regularly and see what happens.

 

[malcolm]

It"s looking more loved now. What did you use to restore the bumpers?

 

[jxke]

It is indeed! I’ve been about in it and it’s cool, I’m about to attempt a long trip in it but it really isn’t ready so it will be interesting..

The bumpers are done with my usual concoction, it’s a special kind of paint I don’t really understand what’s in it but it works great and is a nice match to the oem colour. More pics/info when I get back, fingers crossed it goes ok!

 

[jxke]

Well 300 miles later i’m home, car did extremely well. The only issue i had was a blowout on the m1 which i quickly resolved with a spare although it was the wrong size but good enough

I cant take any credit though, the car was clearly looked after very well mechanically prior to me purchasing it! It sat happily at 70mph the whole way. None of the gauges work, but that means no problems right

 

[jxke]

 

[jxke]

Brought the car home out of winter storage and went on a 100 mile roadtrip, car was perfect, it’s such a fun little car to drive.

 

[angel]

Why does it sit so low? Looks like it's riding on the bump stops.

 

[jxke]

Why does it sit so low? Looks like it's riding on the bump stops.

To elliminate body roll so that it handles properly. I guess you’ve never seen the R5 TS cup cars?

 

[Cornish4]

I bet speed bumps are tricky, surely its far better to fit upgraded anti-roll bars. Thats what I've done on my 4L. The stance is right, but it goes around corners like it's on rails with very little roll. Just saying

 

[Lobster]

I quite like a Mk1 R5 thats lowered a touch although personally that's a bit low for me but each to their own

Had a few lowered Mk1s, used Spax adjustable shock absorbers on mine (many, many years ago...) and it did make them very firm. Fitting Gordini Turbo torsion bars was a worthwhile upgrade too iirc. With the standard shock absorbers / suspension they were just as rolly but also rubbed on corners, speed bumps and anything else at all. They looked pretty good but did make them a challenge to use much.

 

[jxke]

It’s perfectly good to drive don’t worry. It goes straight over every bump no problem, I’ve driven it hundreds of miles like this. It’s looked after and being used which is what matters

 

[angel]

Cup cars had considerably stiffer torsion bars / anti roll bars but even then they sat higher than yours so that suspension worked as it should. I think that you get the illusion of no body roll because the suspension moves very little or not at all, as it doesn't have any more travel.

 

[David M]

I agree with Lobster’s post.

I agree with you as well jxke.

Ultimately, it’s your car and it suits you as it is. What more needs to be said ?

In my thoughts, anything that you do that will prolong your love affair with your R5 is a great thing. Your time, expenses and tlc will maintain the car for the future.

A Renault 5 is a very lovable and potentially classic collectable vehicle.

Love what you drive. Drive what you love.

A good R5 can provide a great spirited drive on country roads.

 

[jxke]

Okay this escalated significantly. Long story short my dream car is a Turbo 1/2 but they’re all well over £60k now, so this will be the next best thing for me..

Step 1:
Remove front engine and gearbox..

 

[mr-reno-139]

Ooh can't wait

 

[jxke]

Ooh can't wait

Luckily I managed to find a gearbox for it from a nice chap called Paul...

 

[jxke]

I’m really bad at updating stuff but I still have this and the longer I own it the more i love it. I’ll try and get it up to date soon with where I’m at now..