DIOCCUSA: Reclusive Renault (with video)

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2)
05/26/2020 at 14:07 • Filed to: DIOCCUSA, Old Car City USA, Abandoned, Renault

I found this abandoned rear engined Renault 10 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! hiding under a pile of old damp pine needles. That’s not a very good habit since top down rot is the biggest cause of rust here in Georgia.

Anyways, my video editing skills have improved dramatically. I still haven’t got the video to post to Youtube in 1080p to reduce the compression but I’ll get that next time. I fiddled with the camera I used and discovered that it is 1080p HD capable but was set to 480 for some reason

Music warning: all the editing went into the audio design.

What did you think? There are improvements to be made but it is much better than my last one.

Anyways, let’s get to the photos.

I had to scrape away the thick and damp covering of pine needles just to see the car at all.

This Renault sat in a somewhat boggy area lower in elevation than the nearby lake. It was a veritable jungle that hid some of the more interesting imports. Fortunately, this one was somewhat accessible.

It is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! but quite pleasing to the eye. Too bad the engine bay at the rear was !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . That’s the most interesting angle.

I took this picture last year and it is still one of my all time favorites. Such an eerie beauty in the decay.

And the interior? Surprisingly intact behind the blurry photo.

I wonder why the steering wheel is tied in place. Maybe it was towed on a dolly here. Also, check out the script on the horizontal speedo. Were the letters always so wavy?

I really like this simple yet elegant solution to a commuter compact. I think this would make a really fun and unique classic to keep around, provided overseas parts availability isn’t too constricted.

DISCUSSION (34)

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 14:22

I remember there was one of these in town when I was a kid, I think it was actually still on the road into the early 90s (gotta love the west coast). Maybe the last time I saw one running in the wild.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 14:30

There have to be very very few USDM examples left in running condition. It would make for one of the most uniq ue rides at any car show you took it to. However the layman will still admire a restomodded to the moon mustang instead, which at the very least makes for unobstructed photos.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 14:35

Probably all in California, too - I’d wager they didn’t age well in harsh climates. As you say, no value in a restored one, so anything surviving will have to be lucky.

Come to think of it, there was also a Renault Caravelle in that same small town - never see those anymore either.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 14:38

There was a Caravelle there too, which is next in line for a video. Either that or the Anglia. The two coasts were the only place you would ever see something like that and most of them rusted or were junked long ago. Even in temperate and open minded (towards imports) California as you said, they are lon g gone. There were also some 60s Opels and even an Audi there, which would have been pretty uncommon at the time.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 14:48

Yeah, those cars ended up being neglected - fairly cheap when new, tough to find parts, one decent system failure and they were junked.

Funny thing, there was also an Anglia (105E) in that town. I remember that one clearly, as I wanted it. It was light green, and it looked pretty decent, sitting in the backlot of a small used car dealer. This was in the early 90s - I was maybe 14 or 15, itching to drive, and told my dad I wanted to look at it as I always liked the quirky design . We looked, and although the panels appeared good, the floors were gone, and my dad vetoed the idea. I think it was something like $500.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 14:55

Your life might have been a lot more interesting if you had bought it. Funny how it seems like all those obscure imports ended up in this junkyard but you remember when they were driving around. Here’s one last one: Opel Kadett. Seen any of those around? The two I saw there were both yellow coupes.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 15:00

The fintail has made my life interesting enough. I suspect some of those cars you saw have been off the road for longer than I could remember. This area was a Klondike for odd old cars in the 80s and 90s - there were finds to be made in every alley and country road. Around Y2K they all suddenly vanished, either finally scrapped or saved.

I don’t recall seeing any 50s-60s Opels on the road, but I have seen a few neglected cars. However, there’s still a 70s-early 80s Isuzu-Buick Opel on the road in my area, I see it now and then.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 15:07

And then cash for clunkers took the rest. Sad to see them go but there simply wasn’t the demand to keep them around.

There was also an Austin America which I believe was nicknamed the landcrab in its home country. I can see why because it looks like a mini that got stretched in a medievil torture device.

Kinja'd!!!

Rarest of all though had to be the Borgward Isabella. I bet that’s not something you ever saw. It almost looks American though so it was really the badge that caught my eye.

Oh and the Renault 4CV was pretty rare too, but I think those sold way better out on the west coast .

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 15:28

I am not sure any 60s material was claimed by C4C, at least not here, but a lot of 80s and 90s material was lost, I saw a lot of 80s-90s MBs that were still roadworthy and could have been used for parts that were lost. Fortunately, a lot of them were eventually parted out. Scrappage schemes always have unintended consequences, especially for old car fans.

Another fun coincidence, the small town where I lived once had a BMC/BL dealer, and the old guy who owned it still had the facility as an independent shop when I was a kid . He had maybe 20 Austin America and derivatives in a makeshift junkyard behind the shop, along with a host of other British cars, and a bunch of old Volvos, especially 122s. He eventually passed away at close to 100 years old if I remember right, and the cars were moved on (the building was eventually razed, I think) . Austin America is ADO 16, the “landcrab” is ADO17 - technically related cars, the latter is slightly larger. I see the Anglia peeking out behind the America, too.

Here’s a US or Canadian export model landcrab I spotted on the road here in WA years ago (with an early Midget behind it, this was near a British car shop) :

Kinja'd!!!

Maybe not a shock, I have seen several Isabella - 2-door sedan , hardtop. and wagon variants, but not wild on the street. Those were gone from the roads ages ago. I know there are a couple 4CV kicking around here, restored cars that come out to shows now and then.

punkgoose17 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 15:28

The Carvelle and 10 shared drivetrain parts. Maybe together 1 is salvageable.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > punkgoose17
05/26/2020 at 16:13

The Caravelle’s engine block was pretty rusty. I think a Euro parts donor could save both of them since the body is pretty solid except for a little top down rot on the roof.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 16:20

That is what sets the west coast apart. You also got the weird imports but more people kept them. A 4CV is basically unimaginable to see anywhere and the Borgward is even more obscure. I had never even heard of them until I saw that one.

Interesting bit about BL. I think Canada was much more receptive to them than the US but rust claimed them. That’s the first BL product I’ve ever seen. There must not have been a dealer near here since I’ve never even see an abandoned shop sign for one.

Volvo has had a big presence here for a long time so I still see some 80s and up sedans and wagons around. I haven’t seen any 122s or really anything earlier than the 70s except for that two door Amazon I saw a while ago.

Jb boin > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 16:42

While the R10 is quite rare in France, the 8 which is identical for most part is more “common”, many parts are still available, for example you can buy brakepads from normal (not historic car specialists) online retailers and all kind of parts from specialists even brand new motor mounts, head gasket of a fuel pump for cheaper than parts for most modern cars.

Not to mention the performance parts as they are still quite popular on rallye and hillclimbs.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jb boin
05/26/2020 at 17:20

I bet this thing could rip on a hillclimb. I really do love these things and they are fun and quirky. Too bad these will rust into the ground, but I does have me considering other 10s.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 18:33

The gentle climate helps old cars here, and people in general might appreciate unusual things more, which helped some cars survive. I think the PNW is the best place to go old car hunting, as it doesn’t suffer from winter issues nor sun issues.

Yeah, Canada being linked to the UK had more sympathy for British products , so to speak. Maybe Atlanta had a dealer then, but probably not so much in suburbs or other towns. Where out here, small towns could have odd brands - my mom’s town had maybe 15K people then, and had all the domestics along with VW, eventually the Japanese, and the British/Volvo shop. There were also odd British cars sold stateside, like the Plymouth Cricket (Hillman) and I think the BL Morris Marina also made it stateside, I know I saw one somewhere, ages ago.

122s were not an unusual sight here 25 years ago. I knew a guy in high school with a wagon, and in college knew of a girl who’d sometimes show up in a 544 Duett (I think it belonged to her dad).

Jb boin > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 18:38

A slow car that can be a hoot to drive :

—

There is even a project to make a 16 valves head for the Cleon-fonte engine (which is a 8 lateral valves cast-iron 4 cylinders engine was was on the R8 Gordini but also on the R5 Turbo and used also on the Clio 1 and Twingo 1).

This one seems to be a swap of a F7P (the F engine family replaced the C(leon) family ) from a Clio 1 16S with carburetors instead of an injection (or maybe a F2N (the predecessor of the F7P with 8 valves and carburetors ) with a F7P head) :

glemon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 19:22

My dad had a dark green R10, our first second car was a Dauphine, followed by some air cooled VWs, then the R10. He said the 10 was one of his favorite cars. He liked the ride and the easy steering. Unfortunately, the favorite car thing had to have the “when it ran right” bit added to the description.

I have looked for one of and on for a years. There are a few out there better than the one shown, but yet to find a runner or one that isn't rusty.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
05/26/2020 at 19:42

Pardon my igno rance but what does PNW stand for?

I can’t say I remember 25 years ago all that well seeing as I’m not that old, but I don’t the impression that the quirky old cars were often the old cars getting driven daily. Probably a lot of air cooled VWs and post 122 Volvos but not much else. Though Porsche and MB have lots of specialty shops here. You’ll see that in tonight’s DOTS.

Certainly I can’t imagine seeing a Marina around here. I don’t think there was a BL dealer anywhere near here.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > glemon
05/26/2020 at 19:48

There are basically no preserved USDM ones. Your dad must not have cared what other people thought at all to have two 10s (an R?) and a Dauphine. I love the curvaceous Dauphine and its crazy spare tire placement but the 10 has its own charm. Got any pictures? I bet it looks great in green.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 20:45

PNW = Pacific Northwest. WA, OR, most include BC, and at least some include ID too, although in terms of ideals, things might change with that one.

I am not getting younger lol, but I am in a way happy I got to see the 80s and 90s here. 50s and 60s cars were common sights, weird cars were background noise, and it was still affordable to live here.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/26/2020 at 22:45

Good video and great pics of a sad car! Those were cool old things....I do love me some rear-engined rides. Sad to see it in such a state, but it has a certain beauty to it!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/26/2020 at 22:50

This is the only one I’ve seen. They are very fetchingly body and the aft engine makes for a certain level of uniq ue ness and endearing quirkiness. I'm not sure it would be all that feasible to keep on the road on a budget though, and this one is pretty far gone. Not as far gone as most USDM ones, but still pretty rough. The top down rot from the pine needles had taken its toll on the roof.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 06:02

Eh, I think you could keep one going no problem over here. A lot of these old ‘foreign jobs’ (as Jay Leno always likes to say his dad called them, haha) are more reliable than we give them credit for. It was parts availability and lack of knowledge on this side of the pond (....well...and often inferior rustproofing) that lead to their disappearance. Mechanically, it would be pretty reliable I think, and parts would be easy to find online. :)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/27/2020 at 10:37

I guess you are right, because most of the rear engined Renaults shared very similar engines and they have much more of a following overseas. Interior rustproofing just means don't drive it in the rain.

glemon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 11:51

My dad was a college professor, so he sort of marched to the beat of his own drum. Wish I had pictures, the Dauphine was light blue and I remember we parked it on the patio. The 10 did look sharp and very modern for it's time in green.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > glemon
05/27/2020 at 12:12

Was it a light green or a dark green?

Kinja'd!!!

And oh, the Dauphone makes me feel things. I love this era of French car design.

Kinja'd!!!

The fact that he not only bought some real left field cars (but college professor so yeah) but they were also the perfect colors just makes this story so cool. Thank you for sharing.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 12:36

Yeah, if I get a 126, I’ll store it in the winter and try not to drive it in the rain if I can help it, and undercoat is regardless...they aren’t known to be super rust-proof either :P

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/27/2020 at 12:43

You could always let in winter with me down in sunny wait no rainy ish Georgia ;)

it’s like Florida but less hot and less geriatric and slightly less crazy.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 12:53

Are you sure you can handle 24 raging Polish-Italian horses?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/27/2020 at 12:58

Hmmm, let me see.

A quick google search says I can’t handle even one, much less 24.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 13:12

Could go early ‘50s 2CV and have 9hp?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/27/2020 at 14:06

Let’s try that joke again, Kinja.

A quick google search says I can’t handle even one, much less 24.

Kinja'd!!!

I would love to wrangle 9 horsepower. Those weren’t smooth and sophisticated modern horses but rough and tumble down home ponies of antiquity ready for a bar fight.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 14:12

For sure! :D

glemon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
05/27/2020 at 22:23

Dark green, light blue Dauphine I barely remember. Video looks great by the way.