Asking price — £1,495 — Private Seller – Fun, Rare & Affordable Entry Level Classic Car.
- Right Hand Drive
- 61,255 Miles
- Manual, 5 speed
- Petrol
- 1400cc
- 1984
- B884JPG
- Beige
- Private seller
- Northampton, United Kingdom
A now rare Renault 11 GTL 1. 4 from 1984. If DVLA records are to be believed one of just 72 remaining in the UK (16 licensed and 56 SORN). Currently SORN and eligible for MOT exemption and zero rated VED (although needs registering as an Historic Vehicle first – straight forward process) based on its age.
I bought the car just under 3 years ago as a light project and to feed a passion for humble French motors. Since that point it has been kept in my garage and a number of jobs have been undertaken. The car has not been used on the road in that time, however, and has covered 140 miles since it was last MOT’d in May 2022.
Work undertaken in that SORN period includes:
-New front disks, pads, one calliper and both flexible pipes
-New brake master cylinder
-New rear brake cylinders and adjacent copper piping
-New battery
-New rear exhaust section including silencer
-New N/ S CV boot fitted
With less than 62, 000 miles covered the 1. 4-litre petrol engine fires up and runs sweetly and without smoke. I haven’t actually driven the car except for up an down that narrow track you can see in the photos. Clutch seems fine, gears engage well and brakes all seem good. The previous owner used it on the road without apparent issue during 2022 and 2023.
Interior is pretty good and highly original. The panel around the choke had broken (as they all do) and I jerry rigged a replacement panel which has also now come adrift. These are available as NOS but expect to pay £50 for a bit of old plastic.
Other bits to know:
-The previous owner took off the rear brake compensating valve as it was inoperative. He (a mechanic) fitted a pair of adjustable valves allowing the brake distribution to be adjusted manually. I have located a new old stock valve for this car on Ebay at around £65 so will provide the link should the next owner want to reinstate the original set up.
-The paint is original 1984 vintage and is ok on the sides and bonnet but the roof isn’t great with the lacquer having broken down comprehensively.
-Rust wise there are a couple of small holes in the front of the front wings (pictured) and the battery box has a 50p sized rust hole in it (pictured). It is otherwise probably better than might be expected for a 40 plus year old French motor.
-It came with the wheels shown and whilst the tyres have plenty of tread it would be prudent to change them based on age I would think. The original steel wheels are present and included (see boot photo) as are all four plastic centres and all four original Renault badges (I am assured these are pretty hard to source now).
-Some interior plastics are now quite brittle (witness a broken rear window winder). Rolling down the windows, because of this, should be approached with caution).
-The roof rack is a period correct Paddy Hopkirk one and is included in the sale.
– I took the air cleaner off to get some quickstart in the carb. This is present and included also.
-The Renault will need trailering away due to nearly 3 years off the road. If viewing you will be welcome to carefully give it a run up an down the pictured lane should you wish. It’s amazing to learn how scarce these cars are now. I bought it with the intention of doing a few of the outstanding advisories from its last MOT (now mostly done) and using it lightly at the weekends and for the occasional car show / Festival of the Unexceptional etc.
As ever life got in the way and I now need the space in a very crowded garage for other things. So last in, first out sadly.