RU02MAD For Sale Autotrader £14995

[rustedandrotten]

Clarkie was only running a very low boost NOx set up which only engages when switched on and full throttle depresssed, for the power lift here there would be a tapping into the fuel line for a supply going to a small nozzle with an adjacent NOx nozzle (both around 1/4" 6mm diameter either at the throttle body or in the plenum, either plug the holes or replace.
The engine only gets boost for a matter of seconds before system automatically cuts out or you lift off, this acts as a way of preserving the mechanicals so I wouldn't be too worried about long term damage, the engine is remarkably robust and should handle this OK. Only had problems with one nitrous installation that had a fault that didn't cut out when NOx bottle was empty and continued injecting neat petrol which bore washed the engine, big bill and happened pretty quickly as the owner continued driving rather than stop and ask why the boost had gone but was puthering black smoke!

Personally, if it is running right now the engine will not be a problem, to me what is of more concern is the 'box particularly with the photos of the car in period doing 11s and donuts!

 

[Tatelyle]

I totally agree with Lankan it's not what you can put back to standard it's the unforeseen potential damaged that you can't see, even if you did compression test, you still can't be totally sure everything else internally is sound, let alone the gearbox etc...

 

[roystinho]

Totally agree with most of what's been posted, hence it needs to be very attractively priced to sort out and for the slush fund. Otherwise just buy another. Unfortunately it's a Mars phase 1 which tickles my fancy and there's not many of them around...

 

[Brett]

The nitrous would do bugger all to the engine and as already said if it were to have done anything, it would be instantly noticable now. Jetted with an extra 50hp and X ammount of torque it would essentially be at around the 270-280bhp mark which is widely regarded as perfectly fine for the engine and gearbox. Its not as if the previous owner has blown in an extra 200hp worth of fuel mixture and hoped for the best. Truth be told, with modern nitrous systems you can put huge amounts of the stuff in if controlled properly with very little harm to engine and gearbox.

 

[MarkK]

I'm sure you're right about the engine Brett....it's either right or the damage is done, and it's not right!
But I've got a niggle that something is up with the car, just because of the way it has been, and continues to be, marketed.

The original owner was 'a Renault specialist in Exmouth'. Then why didn't he sell it though his business, or at least his extended trade network?

Putting the car out to auction is a quick way for main dealers to move old trade-in stock, or cars with a few faults, but Brightwells is a strange choice of auction, both type and venue!

As far as I know, the car has never been advertised through the normal channels like V6Clio.net (he was a member), Pistonheads, Car and Classics or ebay, which seems odd.

The car has been in the trade for 2 years now, and in all that time it's only had one advert in Autotrader for a very short time........not the first place I would look for a Vee.

This will be it's third appearance at Brightwells, so none of the trade will touch it. Most of the private buyers that go there are looking at the pre-war, 50s and 60s cars, and certainly when I saw the car the last time it was there, nobody seemed to be looking at it.

I'll definitely have a really good look over the car this time, and I'm tempted if the price is right.....just trying to work out what that is now! As the cars cannot be driven at the auction then it would have to be priced assuming it needs gearbox, driveshafts and diff, and if original wheels are needed as well, that puts it under £9k or so?

Mark

 

[Kett]

Clarkie was a fine fellow who used to look after my Vee. My grandfather lived near Exmouth, so my major Vee services could coincide with a visit. He (and his team) were excellent mechanics and his Vee was always the focal point in the car park. Clarkie was from the school of thought that the Vee was 5 Turbo descendant and designed to be used for motorsport activities. Obviously, we now know that Renault envisaged the Vee as a GT rather than a true racer. I'm sure it had a hard life but, hey, why not? Particularly if he had the resources to maintain it at his disposal. He was particularly fond of the car.

I'm not sure of the circumstances of the demise of his business, as it was always thriving. I would say that is must have been: bad debt, family issues or a lease problem. Either way: the business and the Vee went.

I would have had every confidence in that car from initial point of availability. The problem is that the trade have been 'enjoying' free use of it and it's no longer Clarkie's fine fettled car. I agree that this is a £9-10k car and 'buyer beware' - but it's a beauty! :bow:

 

[rustedandrotten]

Council did for him by cranking up rent and rates, feel sorry for him as his reputation was excellent and unsullied :approve:

 

[Brett]

It is a shame people tend to forget what these car were initially made for. Abit of abuse and people run a mile. They genuinely lap it up. They aren't made just for cleaning and polishing. It was 280hp at the most and thats only when its activated. There are people on here who have that without nitrous and without any problems what so ever. It is funny how nitrous causes such raised eye brows and worries.

 

[phillv6]

Personally it wouldn't interest me if i was looking for a MK1, the gearbox is the known weak link in a Vee and there's a fair few that have had issues that haven't had the extra power, torque and stress that the nitrous would invariably put on components.

Just a little bit too risky IMO.

 

[Ed220V6]

Clarkie's business closed due the Local Authority trying to screw his business for more and more business rates. I think he just had enough and told them where to go. He's now working a smaller operation without a fixed base and I believe can still perform work on Vees.

I'm in touch with him on Facebook if anyone wants to know more about his old car.

Cold be a bargain for the right person with the right information.

 

[MarkK]

I'd be interested Ed. I've got a soft spot for this car!

Mark

 

[MarkK]

It didn't meet reserve at auction, so it's back for sale for £15k.

I wonder if the seller may think that it's a bit too expensive, as it's failed to sell in the past two years??!!

LINK

Mark

 

[DarkShines]

Am I right in thinking the wheels on this car are cost options???? I swear I've seen original press photos with these wheels on, yet there appears to be a question mark regarding them on here?????

 

[Duncan]

No, they are after market wheels from Work that the first owner sourced.

There were no optional wheels from new.

A prototype wore cromodora araknas, development cars ran various wheels. The ph2 was going to offer Id wheel options, but this'd isn't actually happen.

 

[Lankan]

Looks like [v6plaque]101[/v6plaque] (actual plaque 0101) is up for sale, but with a different registration and POA: LINK

A video from 2019 linked to by the seller: LINK