Ivan Vicario Martin
If the R5 is one of the most popular cars in history, it is largely due to its performance versions. And precisely we are going to talk about a lesser known, since what has appeared is a Renault 5 Turbo Competition Cup, the latter name that already tells us where the shots go. In fact, its existence is unknown to a large part of the fans, as it was really rare.
And it is that, beyond the versions Turbo of homologation and races, almost unattainable for the public, but with deep roots among the fans, that Cup y turbo cup launched the fame of Renault 5 to another level. Something similar happened in France with the Alpine and Alpine Turbo. The different Renault National Cups also contributed, no doubt. These were disputed with the car designed by michel boue between 1977 and 1984, replacing the mythical R8 TS.
Those competitions have been held since 1977 with the Renault 5 Cup, but not with a normal version, but with a so-called Competition. Is It presented some improvements to better support the bustle of racing and, like the normal version, it was on sale between 1977 and 1982. The total unit built of both variants exceeded 2.000 units.
As a curiosity, the Renault 5 Alpine and Alpine Turbo were called Copa in Spain for legal reasons. Something similar happened in Great Britain, where they were marketed as Gordini. The problem was that the Rootes Group held the rights to the Alpine name, which he had already used in two Sunbeam brand models sold between 1953 and 1975.
THE RENAULT 5 TURBO COMPETITION CUP
La Renault National Cup It began to be played, since 1983, with the new R5 Copa Turbo, while the TX took over from the TS in the Initiation. FASA had taken advantage of the appearance of the R5 Alpine Turbo in France to launch the equivalent version in Spain. It was equipped with the 1.397 cm engine3to whom fitted with a Garrett T3 turbocharger that contributed to bring the power up to 110 CV, that is to say, 17 CV more than the Copa.
As had happened before, FASA prepared a special version to dispute the National Cup that was called the Renault 5 Turbo Competition Cup. It went on sale shortly after the "normal" Turbo Cup version and incorporated various improvements. These included specific suspensions, thicker torsion bars, reinforced chassis or different engine and transmission mounts. In addition, he equipped brake discs on both axles, with the front ventilated instead of solid. The clutch is 190 cm instead of 180.
It also had an oil radiator, although behind the water one, which made it less effective, and wheels with more separated hubs. This forced to equip different tires, which used the largest hubs of the sheet metal ones of the R12 TL, in measurements 13 x 5,5 (in the R12 they were 4,5). It had 175 R13 tires. Externally, it has two air inlets in the front bumper, instead of the fog lights, to cool the brakes. In fact, it was the only thing that differentiated it from the standard Turbo Cup, because It did not have any identifying external anagram.
SOME DIFFERENCES
Although the car was sold registered, the units that were intended directly for competition also mounted anti-roll bars and a right rear-view mirror. The street copies did without these elements. One last piece of information, in France, where the R5 Alpines were also used for the call Coupe de France Renault 5, the equivalents to the Spanish Competition were called Coupe.
If the Copa Turbo were for sale between 1982 and 1984, in the case of the R5 Copa Turbo Competición, its production period was reduced to 1983 and 1984, years in which it was used in the Cup. The exact number of units assembled for the Competition is not known either, but it is to be assumed that it would hardly reach two hundred.
The winners of those two editions of the Renault National Cup played with the Turbo Cup were Carlos Sainz in 1983 and Jesús Díez Villarroel in 1984. Our two-time world champion, who had already won the Initiation in 1982, prevailed over a Luis López de la Cámara who gave him more than one headache.
UNIT FOR SALE
We come to the protagonist of this article, a unit that just appeared for sale, which is still extraordinary. And it is because it is the first time it has happened in a long time. Although not all of it is good news, since he has a lot of work ahead of him to go back to looking like he was in his best days. Yes, the car is whole and appears to have no significant oxides.
As we see in its technical sheet, was registered on February 29, 1984, yes, the 29th! Another curiosity that only adds interest to this unit. It received the registration M-3802-FW that it still has today. As we see, it is about one of the units that were sold for the street, because it does not equip anti-roll bars or right rear-view mirror. Although it is clear that this does not mean that it did not compete in its time, since it has the interior emptied and a racing bucket installed.
It also retains the original wheels that correspond to it, with the hubs of the Renault 12 TL, as we have said, and which are very difficult to find. Besides, the mechanics seem to be in good conditionAlthough we do not know if it is working, everything seems to indicate that it is. In any case, it can be seen that it has been carefully preserved during all this time, since it is not covered in dirt, far from it. It only presents the typical wear of time in plastic elements and moldings.
AN INTERESTING PROJECT
Definitely get this one Renault 5 Turbo Competition Cup It can be a great opportunity for any model fan. There is work ahead, but having the opportunity to bring it back to life is a plus. Although the Turbo Cups can cost between 20.000 and 25.000 euros, the price of our protagonist is much lower, since he has a long period of work ahead of him.
We hope it finds a new owner soon and to be able to tell you soon in detail about its restoration and its return to life. There are very few Cup and Turbo Competition Cup units that are preserved today, although as is often said, there are, there are. We will continue to inform.
THE RENAULT 5 COPA TURBO COMPETITION FOR SALE
