![]() 02/19/2019 at 15:50 • Filed to: Renault 19 | ![]() | ![]() |
Aaaaand...we’ve reached the end. No, not numerically (the pleasures of the 20, 21, 25 and 30 await) but chronologically. The 19 was the last numbered Renault to be introduced. Its other claim to fame was that it was designed by Giugiaro although he possibly wasn’t having his best of days at the time. Also, it’s one of only two of the numbered Renaults that I’ve recently seen on the road.
Anyway, let’s revel in its mundaneness.
The original
The facelift.
You also got an even more mundane three box one called the Chamade. I remember these, they were quite popular here and very often in that colour.
Too boring for you? There was a convertible, because they were a thing in the 1990s.
The hood went here.
It was better in there, because otherwise the car looked like this. Bonus Ford Ka Mk1.
Despite the fact that it would be considered by some as a typically tiny, unexportable European car, the 19 was made in three continents.
![]() 02/19/2019 at 15:54 |
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Pre-facelift is definitely best.
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:06 |
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My dad had a bordeaux red facelifted Chamade when I was born. I’ve been told that was the first (and only) car I’ve ever ran from the police in (holding the steeringwheel, while sitting on my dads lap)
Also, I want the Speedline Maracana t urbines from that 16v convertible for my Twingo!
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:12 |
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You could cut/paste that pre-facelift front end onto any Ford, Rover, or Opel/Vauxhall of the period and nobody would even notice.
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:15 |
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Yes, definitely not Giugiaro’s finest hour.
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:25 |
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Isn’t that red convertible the first gen Megane?
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:40 |
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(peers closely, as Mr Gooogle claimed it was a 19)
Actually, it is. Here’s a 19 cabrio.
They look somewhat alike at the front but not the rear.
![]() 02/19/2019 at 16:49 |
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Drove one of these once. It taught me what body flex feels like.