Renault 21 turbo pics, opinions and stories please

Are there any left ?

What Monza Phil said!

The yellow one was a monster, serious torque steer and old school lag....lag...oh.my.God...performance. I had it rebuilt after an artic' removed pretty much the entire nearside and I bought from the insurance company. Michelin Pilots would last less than 10k miles on the fronts, an expensive hobby at the time! But on smooth a-roads it was just sublime, and seriously quick (they weigh naff all).

The phase 4 that replaced it was much more grown up, but completely standard and felt soooo slow by comparison.

K172 MOW from memory, replaced with a Saab turbo eventually.

Edited to add: if it's any kind of endorsement it's the one car I would love to have back out of all the classic stuff, moderns, German 'premium' stuff, etc, that I've had since.

It used to set off car alarms when you drove past; it popped and spat on the overrun; I got 9 people in it once; I was converted to the benefits of ABS when someone swapped lanes in front of me when 'making progress'; I had a very memorable 'drive in convoy' with a yellow T5R between Hemel and Snorbans; it would break traction in the dry in 3rd. Loved that car! Dammit, it was 20 years ago!

Thanks guy's, I've read mainly good things about the 21t, mostly about how quick they were/are. I've got my heart set on a phase 1 hopefully one of a 1989 vintage as that's the year I was born and will be pretty cool to have a car that's been about for the same amount of time as I have . There's a nice tungsten grey ph1 on eBay at the mo but my funds won't allow me to buy it just now although the chap seems to be struggling to sell it as its been listed atleast 3-4 times now.

There's currently 3 on eBay a ph1, ph2 and ph3 all of which have been relisted a few times.

I have one, a bog standard phase 1 ( F plate) except for a set of the later Silverstones on it.

Used infrequently, it is actually being recommissioned now, for use next Spring.

Essentially trouble free,although the hydraulic clutch mechanism can be a pain, they are immense in the mid range, with little to trouble them - from their era. Not so quick off the lights, without wheel spin, but fast, competent, comfortable cars. Unlike most Renaults, the leather seats are fashionably hard too,and surprisingly comfortable.

Rust isn't especially an issue, surprising for a Renault of that age, but finding a good, in messed with one I'd more likely to be the issue.

Comparable to the Sierra Cosworth in their day, I am very happy with mine.

I see this one every year or so racing at Oulton, but I can't remember the last time I saw one on the roads or at a car show or anything. I don't think they sold many when they were new, so I can't imagine many survive today.


Renault 21 Turbo - 25 - Bob Claxton - photo by Retro-Motoring

Dodgy electrics, some brake components - and other stuff - not available. Rust definately is an issue - I've seem several dead ones in the the French scrappers - front subframe mounts, rear axle mounts, tank straps.

When they work they're fast for their era. The survivors are probably mostly well cared for if they haven't been chavved all over. I would say spend as much as you can afford for one with the most complete history.

The French Renault 21 Club is a good source of info. Spanish R21 Club lists all the parts still available at main dealers. I've got a bog standard R21 of which many more were made and all parts are hard to find really apart from general service items.

I would like one but it's hard enough with the R21 that I've got.

I had one in the early nineties, red with black leather, It was a phase 1 with Devil exhaust. It sounded rather nice but not overly loud. I have fond memories of lots of torque steer. Only had it for about 6 months but proved most reliable especially compared to its little brother the 5 Gt Turbo. Get one if you find a well kept one. You wont regret it....

Read an article about these a few weeks back... stated that over here in Germany there are only 6 registered ones left.