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Factory Standard versus Modded?! Discuss...

Am I the only "classic boy" who likes R19 16Vs? i.e. someone who despairs at all the dubious mods and aftermarket tat that people seem to inflict upon their cars?

There are so many rare Renaults that have been blighted with this chavtastic affliction that it does pain me when I see a rare 80s or 90s performance Renault that has been bought in a rough but totally factory standard state only to be "restored" but in my eyes spoilt with blinging over-sized alloys and slammed suspension etc. I could crow about how Renault engineers had far superior technical prowess than the average grease monkey oik so why would such folk assume they could improve on what Renault blessed these great cars with from the off, notwithstanding the fact that Renault understood not all drivers were Nigel Mansell so had to dial in some leeway for real road driving and reliability, but then this would sound like I was ranting, I am not intending to, rather just to impart some general observations.

Happily I think R19s have fared better than 5 GT Turbos in terms of the availability of redeemable examples, the odd gem still turns up that has been spared the ignominy of the modder's oily mitts, like the ex-Nigel Mansell car, and the two blue Phase 1 cabriolets that have been for sale on and off this year.

I was determined to bring J264HTR back to its former glory, alas Kieran and I could not agree on a price as I knew I would have to spend £1000 on a professional respray, £500 getting a coachtrimmer to fit a new roof etc and that was just the exterior... before it was approaching my sort of standard, and I drove away gloomy that I would probably never own a Phase I 16V cabrio, but it's heartening to see that the current custodian has sought fit to reinstate this uber rare car with the correct "turbine" wheels and hopefully has the enthusiam and funds to press on with the re-paint.

Second to being a retro Renault enthusiast I've also been a trader and dealt in performance cars from the 80s and 90s over the past decade and while I totally understand that people are free to do whatever they goddam please with their own motor and I know that the urge crops up to add to, improve and enhance your car (when I was 21 my Electric Blue R5 GT Turbo Phase I was soon sporting a Kool Louvres vented bonnet, R19 16V PhI 15" alloys, Raider seats, dump valve and massive Turbo graphics, 4" Scorpion exhaust, so I have been guilty of the Max Power bug!), it should be borne in mind that 5 GT Turbos, Clio and 19 16Vs are now genuine modern classic cars and there is a growing band of people now in their 30s, 40s and 50s who remember them when they were new and will be looking to buy them as a bit of nostalgia and a weekend play thing. I've sold a 19,000 mile Golf GTI MkII for £8000 and look at the price a genuinely timewarp Escort Mk3 RS Turbo S1 will command £15,000+? Renaults don't enjoy such an avid following it would seem, but as they are comparative bargains, perhaps that keeps them more accessible to the typically discerning post-boyracer family man. To these people originality is key, they have the original Renault sales brochures and can spot any deviation from this a mile off.

So the moment you mess with the torsion bars to slam your rear end, or blend "eyebrows" into your bonnet (what is that craze all about?!), saw holes in your parcel shelf, fit a roll cage and Sparco seats or junk your bubbling 15" Speedlines for some 17" aftermarket rims, or change the colour from the original, rather than adding value to your pride and joy you're actually devaluing your car significantly and totally alienating that section of the market for your car who have the deepest pockets... ah but you'll never want to sell this car I hear you say so it doesn't matter. How often do I read: job loss forces sale, the missus has another baby on the way, another project forces sale... and your prized specimen that you vowed to keep forever lo and behold is up for sale after all.

I hope I have not sounded too pompous. I haven't owned a Renault for over two years now so have not got a vested interest in the opinion I have espoused. Below is a link showing the R19 16V I enjoyed driving everyday for almost a year, it was a car I became very attached to, and I hope in the not too distant future I will spy a 19 16V that will be a worthy replacement.

THE 80's EMPORIUM - Purveyor of Prestige & Performance Motor Cars
 
Been oem only kicks in when a car get 20 years old. and that when it get to a state where a well looked after standard car = £££. I used to own J264***, and yes with the info I know its a classic. For me bit of a shame I had to let it go, But to my self a massive befit it got sold to club owner, that are in a better position, to bring her back.
 
I like my 19 16v which is as standard as they come. I've taken every effort to keep it that way including the new windscreen which I'm still waiting to arrive from France.

That said I like JR's too, and I like it a lot!
 
i1147.photobucket.com_albums_o551_craigus1977_image_zpse877e051.webp

This be the car your talking about, I bought from Kieran. As you can see I've fitted the right alloys and the car will soon be getting a respray. Slowly but surely she's getting there. I was going to sell it, but I'm glad I'm keeping it now
 
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Standard is fantastic, although I can sympathise with owners putting a different spin on it, as long as any mods are easily reversible. I put a 2L engine into the last 19 I owned, and it was great. I also took the chance to replace a host of other components in the engine bay.

These days I want the original car, in good condition, without having to strip out 20 years of short term 'performance' mods etc. When I find another 19 in tip top original condition, I'll buy it!
 
Standard is fantastic, although I can sympathise with owners putting a different spin on it, as long as any mods are easily reversible. I put a 2L engine into the last 19 I owned, and it was great. I also took the chance to replace a host of other components in the engine bay.

These days I want the original car, in good condition, without having to strip out 20 years of short term 'performance' mods etc. When I find another 19 in tip top original condition, I'll buy it!
 
Standard is fantastic, although I can sympathise with owners putting a different spin on it, as long as any mods are easily reversible. I put a 2L engine into the last 19 I owned, and it was great. I also took the chance to replace a host of other components in the engine bay.

These days I want the original car, in good condition, without having to strip out 20 years of short term 'performance' mods etc. When I find another 19 in tip top original condition, I'll buy it!
 
My every day car is the red rocket PH2 16v hatchback, I have done small mods only, pod filter, decat, steering wheel, but all else std.
My other car is the white cabby which is back to factory original including std renault radio and magnetic cover, std steering wheel, air filter, I have just finished painting the four std PH2 wheels with new tyres to be put on for car shows only.
However most people in this country would not know what was original or modified on the R19.
So I got one for show, and one for go. and love them both.
have pride in your ride. whatever it may be.;)
 
Hmmmmmm this is a tough one... I love R5 GTT's and 19 16v cabriolets. My 19 16v cabriolet was standard for a long time and I was going to keep it that way but my youth got the better of me. The car itself on the outside looks standard apart from being lowered and a set of 18in 5 spoke. Inside it's totally standard with a sensible upgrade to the sound system. I have just had a 2L William F7R fully rebuilt with the compression lowered for a turbo to be fitted so it should be 250-300bhp for the end of the year. I have done my car to suit my taste and I think it looks quite badass slammed with the roof down.

As for R5 GTT's in my opinion standard is best and if I bought another I would be saving 4-5K for a minter with no modifications.

I think its because a 5 is worth more standard and people notice them a mile off but as for 19's no one is really in to them are they unfortunately and they are not worth a penny modded or not so people will do them to their own taste .

Standard

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_My_2019_2016v_20cab250379654520bb1c63ca19fa05d22dc0.webp

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_My_2019_2016v_20cabriolet_2012_01_13152226.webp

Modified

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_DSC_0184.webp

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_580082_10150976010252899_243434877_n.webp

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_755.webp

How a GTT should be

i1143.photobucket.com_albums_n622_Reno5gtt_DSCN0959_zpsd7c3d3c7.webp
 
Thanks for the kind words Ian!

none of my cars are totally standard. But i wouldn't class them as 'modified' either. The wheels are different colours or from different models and there are clear lenses or pressed plates for example.

I think i would say i prefer a standardish look but i think modification can look good.

Once a car has been on the road more than 20 years its going to have a considerable amount of the replaceable parts non-standard although thats not to say its modified.

I totally get the issue with too many R5GTTs all being modified, Ali G aiight Staines massive bo selecta and all that rubbish is in the past and what few standard 5GTTs are left are made a bit more special
 
Modded, but tastefully!

lets be honest, none of the car manufacturers make a car as good as it can be, so it you can add a tasteful modification to improve function or aesthetics then I'm all for it.
 
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