Alpine Renault 8 S restoration

[PaulyVenturi]

Well as you might have seen Adey has purchased my old R8 which I had always planned to get on with but never finding the time due to work work work family and other projects like the house and garden and other car projects.
But any how it’s Adey’s fault I have now purchased another R8 but this time the S model, these things are rare, even more so than a Gordini!
He had seen it on Facebook and sent me a link, I left it a day then decided it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
So we bobbed up to Worcester from Gloucester and had a look at it, needs some work but it ran and was solid.
A deal was done and I drove it home, which let’s just say was an experience!! The brakes are more suggestive rather than positive and the suspension is very soft, the real shitter was the blower didn’t work and the heater matrix was dripping water on my feet, which was fun!
All being said it got me home after a pit stop at Adey’s gaff. Plenty to be getting on with though so going to be getting into it this month with small bits to start.

I will post up all my progress as we go.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Fabulous news to be having a double helping of new 8 content with you and @Adey both getting stuck in together!!

Loving the ‘lloys on your new one already, and chuffed you already drove it home!!

 

[Adey]

YAY, looking forward to you getting this one up together. Will be cool to see 2 of them rolling around

 

[Turbell]

They'll be more if us 8 owners on here than owt else at this rate!

 

[PaulyVenturi]

Tonight I have mostly been removing the heater matrix! Which was nice.
Not too bad to do to be honest, the core is goosed so probably going to knock one up at work.

 

[Steve Swan]

When it's all in good nick the heaters on an 8 are quite good. Alternator conversion wakes the fan up and no mistake. My Gordini had a double thickness matrix, purloined no doubt from the cold countries parts bin. It was excellent, made it a nice place to be on a cold wet day - Which was just about every Knockhill race meeting I attended.

 

[ratmangta]

'ang aboot !!
#1 That's not an Alpeeeeeeen.
#2 I thought you were after this bargain A610 I've got for sale.
#3 Good job

 

[Adey]

@PaulyVenturi dont forget how you have done it.... may need to do the same on mine

 

[PaulyVenturi]

Ha ha
I am still after an A610 as it’s my favorite Renault, but I am not sure on the blue! Really like the yellow mate however if the blue one was at the right price I could be interested!!

 

[PaulyVenturi]

@PaulyVenturi dont forget how you have done it.... may need to do the same on mine

Yes mate got it down now, I will jig it up so I can make more of them!

 

[Adey]

photo dump of pics from the original advert

 

[Turbell]

Looks straight and tidy

 

[Wheelers Workshop]

photo dump of pics from the original advert

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Hi Judging by those great photos of the underside it looks to be in superb condition and well cared for. The usual wrot is found in the front triangles, "A" &"C" posts, rear inner wing tops but all looks to be very good condition indeed. Then there is the awkward drain from the heater matrix area under the boot floor which wrots from below, repair pieces in steel are availablee from the French suppliers if your car needs it that is.
The brake calipers look like a recent overhaul has been undertaken as well.
Cosmics well they look great, but after having them for over 50 years on my various Renaults , the later design with the thicker rim edges are a so and so to balance, as the castings are thicker and thinner when you slowly rotate to inspect them. Oddly the earlier thinner rim edged wheels are of a better quality casting helping to resolve the issue.
I assume that the front tyres are 155 or 16x 70 section so the edges of the wings don't need pulling, if you lower the front it makes matters worse.
In period there were homologated front spats available from Renault when the homologated 5J x 13Deltamics were fitted.
Nice Car !
Cheers
W

 

[Steve Swan]

Good find. Plenty of scope..........