Registration: A790GMX
Chassis: 136500E0004113
Odometer: 000035
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt
- Appears to be standard specification
- Very rare and futuristic in its appearance
- Comes with some new and used parts
- The one to have
The Fuego (Fire in Spanish) is a sport hatchback that was manufactured and marketed by Renault from 1980 to 1986, replacing the Renault 15 and 17 coupés of the 1970s. A total of 265,367 Fuego’s were produced, approximately 85% of which were manufactured in Maubeuge, France, from 1979 until 1985. Spanish production for European markets continued into 1986. Cars built in France were imported and marketed in the United States by American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Turbo version went on sale in the US in 1982, a year before its launch in France. The Fuego became the best-selling coupé in Europe during 1980 through to 1982. Variants included: 1.4-litre TL, 1.6-litre economy tuned GTL (LHD only); 1.6-litre TS and GTS (manual and automatic transmissions); 2.0-litre TX and GTX (manual and automatic transmissions). The TX was a downgraded version of the GTX, but differences varied by country. This model deleted alloy wheels, electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, fog lights, headlight wipers, etc. depending upon the market. A manual-only 2.1-litre turbo-diesel was also produced for LHD European markets in the 1982-1985 period. This model was differentiated by the ‘bulge’ in the top of the bonnet, extra vents in the front bumper, and ‘Turbo D’ badging on the grille, side and rear hatch glass. The Fuego Turbo (1.6-litre / 1565cc with a manual transmission) was added in 1983 to coincide with the facelift. This facelift included a revised front grille, plastic trim on the bumpers, revised dashboard on LHD models, wheel design, interior trim and fabrics - sepia (coffee brown) with dark brown / white striped velour seats; or ash (grey) with black / red striped velour seats for the Turbo and ash or sepia for the other models sold with European specifications. Interior colour now depended on exterior colour, eliminating the large choice of customised options of the previous models. The facelifted GTX was also offered with the 2.2-litre EFI engine from the Renault 25 in certain LHD markets (generally where the Fuego Turbo was not sold).
Here is something you don’t get to see very often, a Renault Fuego Turbo. These were manufactured to take on the Opel Manta and Ford Capri, and for a while it outsold them which is a big thing to do. If you think of the values of those today and how many of them are around, this makes the Renault a very rare example.
According to the vendor, this particular example needs a bit of recommissioning having been in storage from 2007 until 2020. He goes on to tell us that it had a new ‘used’ speedo fitted in 2007 at 92,888 miles - the old one is in the boot along with a selection of new and used parts. The Fuego has a good look about it and would appear to be as it left the factory, apart from a sunroof which is of the period and may well have been dealer fitted from new. It has a set of driving lamps finished in yellow glass, cross spoke alloy wheels, and head lamp wash. The history is quite interesting, with a collection of spreadsheets showing work carried out over the years. The interior is quite nice and would appear to be all there, although the headlining is a little loose in places and one or two of the interior rear panels are loose too.
This is a very rare example and one well worth owning and improving as you go. Some people have never seen one of these before, which tells you how rare these are.
