Renault 5 Automatic

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 The original Renault 5 was one of the seminal models of the Seventies hatchback revolution. Indeed, the design didn’t even start life as a formal project – it was begun life as a sketch made by Renault stylist Michel Boué in his spare time, doodling over a photo of the existing Renault 4.

Like the prophetic sketch, the 5 was based on the utilitarian 4 platform, making use of that car’s longitudinally mounted engine/front wheel-drive layout, and the same torsion bar suspension. Very unusually for a French home market car, Renault sanctioned a two-door design, seeing its appeal to a new, young, metropolitan clientele.

Launched in 1972, the compact little car with its raked hatchback was an immediate sensation. Minimally chic, it had very Paris-friendly wrap-around plastic bumpers and a wide range of engine options, giving almost every driver the motor that best suited their style – and pocket. Production of the first series lasted until 1984, by which time almost 5.5m had been produced.

This 1981 Renault 5 comes in the very Gallic colour combination of metallic green with a beige cloth interior. The car has the welcome addition of a sunroof and is powered by Renault’s punchy and flexible 1289cc motor driving the front wheels (of course) through an automatic transmission. The mileage reads 33,097, but this cannot be verified.

This car has been in the Stondon Motor Museum collection since 2009 and, although it retains its blue V5 document, it comes without either road tax or MOT certificate. Said to be in good running order, it will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being put back into use.

As much a design icon as a bono fide modern classic, the Renault 5 is also a very practical and economical runabout.