February issue closing date -> December 16
Renault 16 TL (1976): enjoyable kilometers for Jan Peter and Trix
-> Vintage cars for sale in Auto Motor Klassiek
Jan, Peter, and Trix are especially drawn to the cars of their youth. Cars with character, not just screens. Their daily driver is a futuristic Renault Twizy, but their hearts beat faster for the Renault 16 TL. You probably remember it: that successful mid-size car from the 1960s, packed with clever innovations. The first hatchback with a fifth door, practical and chic. Now a true classic with a killer presence.
The first love for French technology
Jan Peter: “I started taking driving lessons in November 1986. A few friends from school were older and already deeply involved in the car world. The periodic roadworthiness test (APK) had just been introduced, and cars were failing everywhere. One of them was driving a Citroën A GS where every panel was a different color. He was stopped so often that he rolled the entire car over in dark green. After that, he had peace. The Oude and Nieuwe Bildtdijk were full of old cars, with guys tinkering everywhere. I wanted a car too, considered a Beetle, but my mother didn't like it; too unsafe."
My father's car life
“My father drove a new Renault 16 in 1971, 1974, and 1977. He suggested that we find and restore another such car together. Meanwhile, he was required to drive a company car for his work, three times an Opel Ascona C hatchback, and he missed the comfort of the 16. He even considered installing a 16-seat in his Ascona. The idea of working together immediately appealed to me. Through a friend on the Nieuwe Bildtdijk, I found a car in the Week out – the Leeuwarden advertising magazine – a 16TL in exactly the same color as my father's last car. The car had failed its MOT, but wasn't rotten. The interior was neat, no dust (because that always deteriorated quickly). For 350 guilders, it was ours.
The challenge
The welding could begin. The car needed new sheet metal around the seatbelt mounts, and the connection between the fenders and the front panel was rotten. We soldered new pieces over that, as well as above the rear wheels and on the doors. A little sanding, a touch-up with a brush, and we had a nice second car. Since it was a project between my father and me, we registered it in my mother's name. She drove the most miles in it. The license plate had the letters HM, so the nickname was quickly born: Her MajestyWhen I left home, I started another 16, which I used daily for ten years. The TL stayed faithfully in my parents' garage.
French discoveries and new energy
When my father retired, the car was rarely used. Once a year, my parents drove it to Leiden for my aunt's birthday. In 1995, I went to France with my other 16 and found a treasure at a scrapyard: four perfect doors, front fenders, rear seat belts, and more. Two years later, part of the TL's rear suspension broke off. Time for action. The French parts were installed, the chassis rails and sills were replaced, and then the car went to the paint shop. Unfortunately, they went bankrupt, and we received the car back in terrible condition. Such a shame. My father was fine with it all and enjoyed the car. He passed away on May 26, 2024. A year later, I registered the car in my name. In 1993, I picked up a second five-speed gearbox from a scrapyard TX, which fits perfectly behind the TL engine. Since then, it's been a wonderfully smooth drive.
Proud owners
The Renault 16 TL is an extension of myself. You often choose a classic car with your heart, and in this case, everything fits. This year, we gave the car a mechanical overhaul and reupholstered the interior with new leatherette. The next step: making the bodywork smooth again.
Enjoying a fifty year old car
Trix: "Just owning it is a joy. Young and old smile when they see the car. We love talking about our hobby. Jan Peter does the tinkering, which keeps it affordable. He prefers the smell of gasoline and motor oil to Chanel No. 5. This car keeps the past alive: father and son, bought forty years ago as a means of transportation, now a classic full of memories. For Jan Peter, a milestone from his youth, and for us together: Creator of love. "
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(There are some more pictures after the break.)
As a true Citroën fanatic, I briefly owned a TX. It was only meant to last a few weeks, but I drove it for two years. It's a fantastic car.
I also had a TX, nice green, that was in 1973, very nice car, I was proud of it
Yes, nice car and nice reactions.
I thought the R16 was one of the most beautiful cars. I've owned two. Both prematurely failed due to blown head gaskets. A few years later, in '88, we were planning a trip to the Middle East. We'd bought a 20-year-old VW van with grey registration from a local greengrocer. It only had a front seat. There were four of us, so we searched the junkyard for the most comfortable seats. We ended up with dark blue fabric from a TX. Suddenly, everyone wanted to sit in the back when we mounted them on a welded frame. The R16 was very comfortable, relaxed with the stick shift on the steering wheel. I'd actually love to ride in one again. Owning one is more important, but I already have a few things, and the memories are wonderful. Lastly, it's beautifully designed, completely unique. I especially like the first version with its stunning grille and rear end...really beautiful!
I had one too, a red one from 1976. But in 1979 I switched to a 30TS. The 16 remains my favorite, with its steering-assist gears and the rear wheels that weren't parallel. If this one were for sale, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
A fantastic car from the days when they still made beautiful cars. That's hard to find these days! Take good care of it and enjoy it!
A picture!!
A fantastic car. I had one too, an R16 TS. Actually, I still regret selling it.
Beautiful cars, very comfortable. My father had a red one. It was remarkable, though, that the universal joints failed within a very short time, even though he always drove very smoothly.
Yes, everyone wanted to own that 16 in the late 60s, but new the car was quite expensive.
Several people in the village had one, always dark blue, and I sat in it when the parents of the schoolchildren took us to Lunteren for a school trip.