By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
I didn’t think you could top the story of the Range Rover ‘garage find’ with a meagre 756 miles on the clock (see blog, 20 February) until social media revealed a ‘new’ Renault found in Eastern France.
Tucked away in an outbuilding was a 1982 Renault 5 TL with just 12km on its odometer.
The story goes, a French lady bought her dream car from a local dealership for 40,000 Francs after saving up for many years. That’s the equivalent to around £4,000 pounds in the early eighties.
The 1108cc five-door model – finished in metallic Shale Blue – was delivered to the buyer with temporary plates as she didn’t have a driving licence to run it.
Amazingly, after being garaged it would never move again, despite its owner successfully gaining her full driving license.
Sadly, a few years ago, the owner passed away leaving her ‘new’ car covered in dust and her final licence plates still in the car boot ready to be fitted. The interior and engine were also untouched.
Fast forward to 2026 and this ‘time-warp’ Renault is due to go under the hammer with Paris auctioneers, Aguttes, on 15 March.
Initial estimates have been set at between 5,000 and £10,000 euros, but its expected to easily surpass these figures.
Hopefully, 43-years on someone will give this truly special French classic the dream start it deserves.
My first car was a Renault 5TL. With a dashboard gear change. Drove over 40 000 miles in it taking it over 100k. But it was a rustbucket.