Up for Auction: 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group B

Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

This hard-working 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group B with period Renault Works history is heading to auction at RM Sotheby’s’ upcoming Paris sale.

The Renault 5 Turbo began its life as the Cévennes, winning the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally as well as the 1982 Tour de Corse Rally. When Group B rules were introduced in 1983, Renault introduced the Tour de Corse variant of the car. 20 factory ‘Tour de Corse’ cars were produced, and this car is one of them.

This particular Renault 5 Turbo Group B, D000020, debuted in 1981 as a Renault Works car. Bruno Saby and Daniel Le Saux raced it in the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally. After an accident it was sold to Renault Greece representative Alexandros Maniatopoulos, who gave it FINA livery and raced it to 8th in the 1982 Acropolis Rally.

From Greece it was sent back to Renault Sport to be updated to Group B spec in preparation for the 1983 season. 1983 saw Maniatopoulos and D000020 compete once more in the Acropolis Rally World Rally Championship round, as well as national rounds in Halkediki and Albena.

In 1984 D000020 was sold to Dimitris Manolopoulos, who would own it for over three decades. Together with his son Thomas, Dimitris piled up over 200 race wins in the car competing in hill climbs and rally on a national level.

The car will be offered for sale during Rétromobile week at RM Sotheby’s’ Paris sale on the 8th of February. It will be sold with a full history including period documents and a full spares package, and is expected to fetch between €200,000 and €250,000.

For the full details, see RM Sotheby’s’ website here.

Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s