Is collecting classics an urge that can happen to anyone? Is it an addiction? What drives someone to collect? What are the consequences? We try to explain how this Renault enthusiast's passion arose. To gauge the remarkable classic enthusiast, we sent a scout to view his hall of fame in the garage. And Marcel can then best explain in his own words how love came about.
Overview of Marcel's Collection:
Sporty models:
- Renault 5TS (1982): The original five with 64 hp, equipped with an original open roof.
- Renault 5 Alpine Turbo (1982): Complete in racing trim, without standard interior, but equipped with bucket seats, roll cage and a fully open exhaust from the turbo.
- Renault 11 Turbo (1984): From the first year of construction.
- Renault 16 TX (1979): Still suitable for daily commuting.
- Alpine Renault A 310 V6 (1977): The first year of construction of the V6 version.
- Renault 6 Rodeo (1978): With both soft and hard top, Renault's unique model.
Popular commercial vehicles:
- Renault Relay 1000 (1971): High and long model with complete camper furnishings.
- Renault Relay Pickup (1974): With a collapsible food truck structure.
- Renault Estafette Alouette (year unknown): A 9-person version, equipped with benches.
How did your love for Renault arise?
Marcel: “It all started with a Fiat Ritmo, but the first five-year-old soon followed, and from then on I quickly understood that I could put my heart and soul into Renault models. Because of my drive, a Renault 5 Alpine, the first project car, soon came along and things went quickly. The sporty Renaults were given preference, there was a Clio 16 valve, a Renault 11 Turbo and an R19 16 valve. Driving in the sporty models became a true experience, especially because I attended many meetings with friends in the Netherlands, France and Germany.”
Friends of the Relay
Marcel: “My trio clearly shows that the Renault Estafette became our beloved company car. Here too, there was an adventure and a story behind every car. My wife thought a Relay camper was an excellent alternative to the tent. I didn't need to hear that twice and immediately started my search. It started disappointingly. A type 800 short and high was the first to be viewed. Admittedly quite bad and after a week's reflection period the decision was made and the car would be purchased. However, the owner had already decided to leave the car at the scrap yard. I had better luck with the next relay, which was optically very neat, but had a leaky head gasket and overdue maintenance. After a few Saturdays, the beautiful French car was ready again to go on holiday with the wife to the cradle of Renault: France. I see becoming a member of the Friends of the Estafette as a bonus, a technical day every year from which you learn a lot and of course being able to spend the weekends with other fellow sufferers.
Auto Motor Klassiek
The Carmin Rouge Alpine Renault A310 V6 (1977) was once in the spotlight in the “Coincidental Encounters” section. Marcel: “It's just a childhood dream, I can watch it for hours, it's a beautiful classic! With my friend Ernst we regularly buy old Renaults, battle-worn cars that have been standing still for years, but deserve a second life. It is pure key fun and we can enjoy it together when we come across different Renaults during meetings that we have helped get back on the road.”
Finally: The outsider, the Renault Rodeo R6
It is a plastic structure based on the Renault 6 chassis. The car originally comes from Germany and many free evenings are now spent on it. With the overdue maintenance, the challenge for us is to beautify the Dutch road next spring with this unique Renault. I am already looking forward to the opening meeting for all Renaults at Van Kesteren in Kampen.
Protecting our driving heritage
Protecting and preserving our classics is important for hobbyists, many classics are kept running using energy, time and euros. Is it an addiction for Marcel? The story clearly shows that it is an enrichment. It's a taste of passion every time in the garage. And it doesn't stop at just dreaming, it's just fun to give in to the passion of collecting and maintaining all those beautiful French children of steel. Tapping into nostalgia can be very refreshing. And the fact that Marcel's heart starts beating faster when he sees the classic Renaults is not due to high blood pressure, but from pure enthusiasm.
This relay Renault built in 1970 is for sale, completely renovated for real enthusiasts
For more information libens.werner@outlook.com
Hello Sven,
No Unfortunately. Also realize that there are very few 1st type breaks in the Netherlands.
I come from a family where only Renault was driven. My first 4 cars were also from that brand: an R9, 2 R19s and a Laguna estate. I am now driving my 7th Ford. But the love for Renault never completely went away. You have an impressive collection, Marcel. I have fond memories of the R16 TX in particular. I just wonder where to store all those cars and whether it won't drain you financially?
Hello Marcel, I currently have a Renault 4CV from 1954 for sale, it is currently on 2nd hand and on gocar. This has been completely restored to a showroom appearance, more beautiful than original. Beautiful cart. You can always send me an email to hvdvoort@skynet.be. Greetings
Good afternoon,
Still interested in a 2 Renault Vel Satis phase 2007? It is a 2.2DCi...unfortunately we have no place to keep it...and the road tax is too much...it is a wonderful car. Visually needs attention here and there. Maintenance is all done. Distribution was done in November 2023.
Hi Marcel,
I still have 2 Renault caravelle coupe for sale.
One with 9000 km. In our possession since 1966.
Kind regards, Dirk
If you are still interested in a 1970 Renault Relay, completely renovated, it can be used for a food truck or camper.
I also drove a whole series of Renaults, the first was a Dauphine (1959) then 12 TS (1972) 16 tl (1975) 18 GTS (2x) (1980 rn1983) 25 TX. (1991). TRAFIC. 2.5. (2004). Megane sedan 2.0 (2004). Megane 1.2 break (2017) and now I drive a Grand Scenic 1.3 163 hp. We still drive that Renault 18 GTS FROM 1983 (I AM THE FIRST OWNER) every day in winter and summer. It is a white one that is completely original, never WELDED or SPRAYED, no rust. ODOMETER STANDING NOW. 282.500 hopefully I can drive this for a few more years due to my age.
Hello Marcel, your love for cars probably originated at the Grovestins where you felt it necessary to provide my car, an Opel Kadet, with some scratch work. Fortunately, everything turned out well with your love for the car. And the result is a great collection!
And admiration for your wife who supports you in this!!
Tjeerd .
Oh oh 🙈 did I ever apologize for that? Very sorry, neighbor. Sorry.
Hi Marcel,
I still have 2 Renault caravelle coupe for sale.
One with 9000 km. In our possession since 1966.
Kind regards, Dirk
I personally bought and adjusted the raised roof of an Estafette for my VW T2 bus at a scrapyard, it was good against the sun/heat and for more loading capacity and
had made a hatch in the roof of the bus for this purpose, which also made it easy on the road
accessible and at the back a piece of canvas with quick release fasteners.
HATS OFF Marcel!! Beautiful collection. But never start with real kids, because then you will never have time!
And if you ever want to get rid of one...
I have 3 beautiful children and the same wife for 29 years. You can also keep a hobby on the side. It's about balance😉
From 1974 to 1967 my father was the director of a Renault garage in the south of the country. He then drove Renault Ramblers. These were American cars from AMC with a 6 cylinder engine. Because Renault did not have a large car in its delivery program at the time after the disappearance of the Fregatte, they started assembling these Ramblers in Belgium. In 1967, as a 15-year-old, I was able to experience the introduction of the R16 in the Netherlands. A so-called caravan with 16s drove through our country and one was left at every dealer.
I myself have had an R4, R6 1100, R5LS (64 hp with 2-speed Weber) and an R14.
I also still drive Renault. I started with 1 Renault 8, then the 10 -12-14-18-19-20, the Renault lagoon, the Renault Clio Estate and now the Renault Captur.
If I had ever started with Renault, it would probably have happened the same way for me.
With five Citroëns in the collection, four of which are Ami, I also own a Renault 12 estate from 1974.
Not an import, but was actually too bad to keep.
It has now been completely restored in my possession for about 40 years. After 273.000 km the block was finally used up. So a B14 block from the Volvo 340, since the 1289cc blocks in relays and 8s, among others, have disappeared.
At the largest Citroën event, a few years ago I attended this event with these 12.
When admitting to it only for the Citroëns intended parking lot, the man there said: 'This is not Citroën huh?' to which I said: 'but this one rots just as quickly'
He didn't object and I was allowed to continue. It was very noticeable with its orange color and was photographed a lot.
And hey, we know those Ducks and those DSs!
Roel are you selling the 12?
I still have a soft spot for it, especially in Orange