Javillac
On October 28, 1974, several specialized motor media in Spain went to the Murcian town of La Manga del Mar Menor to the presentation of the latest innovation from FASA Renault, the R-Siete, a model that had the peculiarity of being manufactured exclusively in Valladolid and whose commercialization would not go beyond Spanish borders.
But as was customary among the automotive media at the time, The Seven saw the light after months of leaks and speculation going so far as to say that the future car was going to be a sort of compact Renault 12 with an R-5 rear end, or publishing spy photos from the Valladolid factory of pre-production units in colours that were never included in the model's catalogue, such as the orange of the Renault 5.
RENAULT SEVEN, THE MODEL THAT FRANCE REJECTED
But the history of the Seven goes back much further. Its genesis is practically common to that of the Renault 5, because beyond sharing much of its DNA, they have the same designer; Michel Boué. From those sketches of a modern compact drawn on the image of a Renault 4 A curious and modern, more conventional three-volume sedan would also be released.
It is well known that the Renault 5 was the magnum opus of Michel Boué's tragically short career and that this project managed to captivate both the brand's executives and the general public, something that was demonstrated by its multi-million-dollar sales. But the Renault 7, as it was baptized by its creator It was never produced in the French Region.
Fortunately, this design did not fall into oblivion, and FASA-Renault was going to give it a second chance, which was a milestone for the manufacturer from Valladolid, born just twenty years earlier, which was going to produce and develop its own model, this being the first Renault manufactured outside of France. without a counterpart. For these reasons it was decided to launch it on the market as Renault Seven.
A BEGINNING MARKED BY TRAGEDY
Just two days after the presentation of the Renault Siete, On October 30, 1974, the FASA-Renault factory in Valladolid suffered a tragic fire. in which ten people lost their lives, and another thirty-one were injured, in one of the saddest episodes in the recent history of the city of Valladolid.
This fire seriously affected the Renault Siete, since the FASA assembly plant number 2, where the new model would be manufactured, was seriously damaged. Production of the Seven had already begun, but this event forced it to be temporarily halted., resuming normal production at the beginning of 1975, so very few units were manufactured in 1974.
A NEW SPANISH FOUR-DOOR MODEL
The Renault Siete thus joined a curious Spanish tradition of versions of Foreign models to which rear doors were added which began with the SEAT 800 and continued with the SEAT 850 and 127 four-door, which were quite popular in Spain.
But unlike the SEAT models, the new Renault not only added greater spaciousness to its cabin, but by adding a third volume it gained a more conservative aesthetic complemented by chrome bumpers as well as a large trunk with a capacity of four hundred liters and that it was of a similar space to the R-12.
With the Renault Siete a new variant of the Sierra type engine was also born, this time with 1.037 cubic centimeters and 50 CV, a mechanism that was also exclusive to the Spanish market and that arose from the need to create an engine that would provide tax advantages to its owners, since it did not exceed 8 fiscal HP or 1.040 cubic centimeters, so there was no need to pay the luxury tax.
FOUR DIFFERENT VERSIONS AND A NAME CHANGE
The initial version marketed from 1974 to 1977 will also be The most basic one, which is called Renault SieteIt is easily recognizable by the lack of side moldings and exterior rearview mirror, as well as the untinted windows and rims with a narrower groove than the other versions.
In 1975 the Seven TL appears, a more luxurious version sold until 1978, which had door guards, a mirror on the driver's door, and the rear-view mirror attached to the windscreen rather than bolted to the roof. Comfort features were added to the interior, and from 1977 the indicators became orange. Mechanically it is identical except for a gearbox with a different ratio.
In 1978 the car was renamed Renault 7 TL, and although it retains the same 1.037 cc engine, a brake booster is added. The change in nomenclature is accompanied by a new, more modern look, eliminating a large number of chrome elements such as the grille and windshield wipers, as well as an updated interior and changes such as new rear screens equipped with a reversing light.
The last version came out in 1980, the 7 GTL, with a 1.108 cc engine and 45 hp of power that favored fuel consumption. Aesthetically it was practically identical to the 7 TL, although elements such as front seats with headrests or a cigarette lighter were added.
Finally, In 1982, production of the car ceased after 159.533 units., although there were units on sale well into 1983. The Renault Siete became a minor sales success overshadowed by the popular R5, but it was a milestone in the history of Renault in Spain.
