Renault reveals the first models heading to auction
Renault decided to tidy up before opening its new museum, although the exercise looks more like a grand historical clean out designed to delight unsuspecting collectors. At the start of December, nearly one hundred cars will leave the shadows of the museum’s storeroom for the Renault Icons auction, emerging from years of dust and myth. The name Renault Icons runs through the entire catalogue and hints at a collection even seasoned enthusiasts rarely encounter.
The sale spans the company’s story from the late 1890s to the present day. Some of the oldest exhibits are factory built replicas rather than surviving originals, yet their value hardly suffers. Renault assembled them with meticulous accuracy. Experience suggests that a replica built by the manufacturer carries more of the original spirit than a single battered survivor discovered by chance.
The brand plans to open a new museum in 2027, a home for roughly six hundred exhibits. To make space, it will release duplicates rather than unique pieces. The core collection remains as imposing as ever.
Buyers can try their luck with early models such as the 1898 Type A, the 1901 Type D and the airy, almost skeletal Type G from 1903. Move a few decades forward and the list includes a 1983 Renault 5 and a mid engined prototype from the same year, the Maxi 5 Turbo. The real surprise is a six wheeled Clio II with bodywork shaped in 2001. It was created by young apprentices in the factory workshop who were given free rein to learn their craft in metal.
Anyone craving something fit for a film set might consider the Renault 21 special with twelve doors and an elevated driver’s seat. Several electric curiosities are also making their way to the auction, including battery powered versions of the R5 and R4 along with an electric Twingo and Clio.
Alpine is represented by the GTA V6 Turbo from 1988 and the rare A610 Evolution Le Mans from 1993. The catalogue also features pairs of concept cars from the 2000s. Modus from 2004, Clio III RS from 2005, Twingo II from 2006 and Clio Grand Tour from 2007 each bring a slice of their era’s design story, joined by sturdy workhorses such as the Kangoo and Alaskan.
Motorsport fans will want to pay attention. The Alpine A442, a Le Mans winner from the 1970s, is looking for a new garage, as is the Laguna BTCC from 1990s touring car battles. The headline act is the Williams Renault FW19 from 1997, the car that took Jacques Villeneuve to the Formula One world title. Its estimated price sits between 800,000 euros and 1.2 million euros.
The auction will be handled by Artcurial, and the full Renault catalogue is available on the organiser’s site.
