1979 Renault R17 GORDINI
1979 Renault Gordini R1326 ( USA specs), 1647 cc Hemi, engine type 843-13, 109 HP, Bosh- L –Jetronic injection, factory air conditioning and power steering. “Decouverable” sliding fabric electric roof over stainless steel structure.
History:
The chassis and most of the running gear came from the Renault 12, while the 1647 cc 108 PS (79 kW; 95 hp) 843-Type engine in the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini models was derived from the engine in the Renault 16 X. The R17 Gordini was to be the last model to bear the Amedee Gordini name fitted for USA with the 843-13 Hemi engine with 1647 cc. Though the mechanicals of the cars were derived from other Renaults, the body was completely new.
Please check the car and driver test for the R17 gordini at:
forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5770450-JD%92s-archive...
Motosport:
Renault abandoned plans to contest the World Rally Championship which it won in 1973. Instead, the factory developed a high-performance version of the 17 coupé at the Alpine Competition Factory which used many of the A110 bits to compete in "selected" European events. The Gordini-developed engine had two twin-choke Webers, a hot cam, an 11.5 compression ratio, big valves and tuned extractor exhaust system. The body was very light, featured fibreglass doors, boot and bonnet panels, plus plastic windows and a stripped interior. The factory said the car's weight was lowered by more than 25 percent.
Its most famous outing was the "Press on Regardless" WRC in the United States, in Michigan, 1974. The Rally was the USA section of the World Rally Championship. The car that won the rally was a Renault 17 Gordini driven byJean-Luc Thérier and Christian Deiferrer, with a similar car coming third.
This car:
I bought this car in California on April 2012. An extensive restoration took place at my shop located in Miami were my friend Alberto Cordero, a former mechanical engineer from Renault, retired after 42 years working with the company, comes to help me with the restoration of the car. He was the chief mechanic of Juan Manuel Fangio a famous Argentinean race driver who won 5 times the F1 championship and Alberto was at the 84 hs of Nurburgring with the first Renault model derived from the AMC rambler named “Torino 380 W” who gets the third place in that race on 1969.
The car was abandoned in a yard and the last registration proving the car was running was back in 1997.
The car was straight, with only surface rust and off course a not running car.
We start the restoration from the ground up, the car was completely disassembled, body was take it to the bare metal, epoxy primed and painted in its original black color. Gordini stripes and logos were drawn by myself and plotted in 3M vinyl with the original scheme color.
All interior of the cabin, floor, panels, back and engine compartment was fitted with anti-rattle-sound/heat auto adhesive insulation with aluminum foil.
The carpet is a velour German carpet, Burgundy color with leather sewed trims.
I have owned the same model back in Argentina in 1979 so I was completely familiar with the car, and after owning more than 60 high end cars in my life, I always remember the R17 as an outstanding performer, economical yet powerful and beautiful car.
The outstanding design of the “petal” seats, the sliding electric roof that leaves the car completely open, the pillar less design makes this car shine out of the crowd not only now 35 years later, but back in his own era. The feeling you will have driving the car with the roof open will be better than in a convertible car, no wind noise at all.
All parts replaced in the car are original parts coming from France, Argentina, Israel, Puerto Rico, USA.
All suspension, power steering, brakes, hoses,fittings, etc. has been replaced. Engine was with original 45,000 miles, we disassembled the engine, head, valves, gaskets, replaced all necessary parts to meet the original compression specs with 150 PSI on each of the 4 cylinders.
All Bosch –L- Jetronic was overhauled, new sensors, valves, vacuums, switches, electric fuel pump, new injectors, etc. were replaced for original parts, most of them from Germany and others locally as the R17 share most of the injection parts with the BMW 2002 TTI.
The antipollution system was restored at his original state, overhauled air pump, new vacuums, valves, sensors, brand new catalyzer.
New original windshield was fitted to replace the scratched one in the car, new upgraded upholstery in German leather as the original car was fitted with grey cloth. The petal front seat is articulated and adjustable on the sides and behind the knees for firm support as a sport car should be. Is hard to think that 35 years ago this outstanding design on the seats are still bringing one of the most comfortable position that I have had in most top of the line cars.
The car runs perfect, as a brand new car!!!, all electric and electronic components are in 100% working order, the Air conditioning was upgraded with a new Sanden compressor, new condenser, new hoses, blows at 10° Celsius (50 Fahrenheit degrees) as per original specs.
All around upgraded LED lights fitted in back up, brake light, directional lamps. New 4 halogen YELLOW headlights with 45-70w halogen lamps.
Original vintage CIBIE fog lights with covers as the Rally version.
Pioneer stereo with hand free Bluetooth phone and 4 stereo speakers.
The car is fitted with disc brakes at front wheels and drum at the rear wheels with a servo booster and brake limiter valve with weight sensor.
All weather trims were replaced with brand new weather strips.
I have published this car at the Amicale R15 R17 website, you will see the comments on the most important website dedicated at Renault 15 and 17 and you could check the comments of my fellow members about the car on
amicale-r15-r17.forumpro.fr/t6019-restauration-1326-alberto
Also, there is a link I have pusblished with the process of the restoration of this car. You will be amazed of the job we have performed on this car to bring it back to life.Please follow this link with 140 PICTURES:
plus.google.com/photos/105876176090498194630/albums/57689...
1979 Renault R17 GORDINI
1979 Renault Gordini R1326 ( USA specs), 1647 cc Hemi, engine type 843-13, 109 HP, Bosh- L –Jetronic injection, factory air conditioning and power steering. “Decouverable” sliding fabric electric roof over stainless steel structure.
History:
The chassis and most of the running gear came from the Renault 12, while the 1647 cc 108 PS (79 kW; 95 hp) 843-Type engine in the more powerful R17 TS and R17 Gordini models was derived from the engine in the Renault 16 X. The R17 Gordini was to be the last model to bear the Amedee Gordini name fitted for USA with the 843-13 Hemi engine with 1647 cc. Though the mechanicals of the cars were derived from other Renaults, the body was completely new.
Please check the car and driver test for the R17 gordini at:
forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5770450-JD%92s-archive...
Motosport:
Renault abandoned plans to contest the World Rally Championship which it won in 1973. Instead, the factory developed a high-performance version of the 17 coupé at the Alpine Competition Factory which used many of the A110 bits to compete in "selected" European events. The Gordini-developed engine had two twin-choke Webers, a hot cam, an 11.5 compression ratio, big valves and tuned extractor exhaust system. The body was very light, featured fibreglass doors, boot and bonnet panels, plus plastic windows and a stripped interior. The factory said the car's weight was lowered by more than 25 percent.
Its most famous outing was the "Press on Regardless" WRC in the United States, in Michigan, 1974. The Rally was the USA section of the World Rally Championship. The car that won the rally was a Renault 17 Gordini driven byJean-Luc Thérier and Christian Deiferrer, with a similar car coming third.
This car:
I bought this car in California on April 2012. An extensive restoration took place at my shop located in Miami were my friend Alberto Cordero, a former mechanical engineer from Renault, retired after 42 years working with the company, comes to help me with the restoration of the car. He was the chief mechanic of Juan Manuel Fangio a famous Argentinean race driver who won 5 times the F1 championship and Alberto was at the 84 hs of Nurburgring with the first Renault model derived from the AMC rambler named “Torino 380 W” who gets the third place in that race on 1969.
The car was abandoned in a yard and the last registration proving the car was running was back in 1997.
The car was straight, with only surface rust and off course a not running car.
We start the restoration from the ground up, the car was completely disassembled, body was take it to the bare metal, epoxy primed and painted in its original black color. Gordini stripes and logos were drawn by myself and plotted in 3M vinyl with the original scheme color.
All interior of the cabin, floor, panels, back and engine compartment was fitted with anti-rattle-sound/heat auto adhesive insulation with aluminum foil.
The carpet is a velour German carpet, Burgundy color with leather sewed trims.
I have owned the same model back in Argentina in 1979 so I was completely familiar with the car, and after owning more than 60 high end cars in my life, I always remember the R17 as an outstanding performer, economical yet powerful and beautiful car.
The outstanding design of the “petal” seats, the sliding electric roof that leaves the car completely open, the pillar less design makes this car shine out of the crowd not only now 35 years later, but back in his own era. The feeling you will have driving the car with the roof open will be better than in a convertible car, no wind noise at all.
All parts replaced in the car are original parts coming from France, Argentina, Israel, Puerto Rico, USA.
All suspension, power steering, brakes, hoses,fittings, etc. has been replaced. Engine was with original 45,000 miles, we disassembled the engine, head, valves, gaskets, replaced all necessary parts to meet the original compression specs with 150 PSI on each of the 4 cylinders.
All Bosch –L- Jetronic was overhauled, new sensors, valves, vacuums, switches, electric fuel pump, new injectors, etc. were replaced for original parts, most of them from Germany and others locally as the R17 share most of the injection parts with the BMW 2002 TTI.
The antipollution system was restored at his original state, overhauled air pump, new vacuums, valves, sensors, brand new catalyzer.
New original windshield was fitted to replace the scratched one in the car, new upgraded upholstery in German leather as the original car was fitted with grey cloth. The petal front seat is articulated and adjustable on the sides and behind the knees for firm support as a sport car should be. Is hard to think that 35 years ago this outstanding design on the seats are still bringing one of the most comfortable position that I have had in most top of the line cars.
The car runs perfect, as a brand new car!!!, all electric and electronic components are in 100% working order, the Air conditioning was upgraded with a new Sanden compressor, new condenser, new hoses, blows at 10° Celsius (50 Fahrenheit degrees) as per original specs.
All around upgraded LED lights fitted in back up, brake light, directional lamps. New 4 halogen YELLOW headlights with 45-70w halogen lamps.
Original vintage CIBIE fog lights with covers as the Rally version.
Pioneer stereo with hand free Bluetooth phone and 4 stereo speakers.
The car is fitted with disc brakes at front wheels and drum at the rear wheels with a servo booster and brake limiter valve with weight sensor.
All weather trims were replaced with brand new weather strips.
I have published this car at the Amicale R15 R17 website, you will see the comments on the most important website dedicated at Renault 15 and 17 and you could check the comments of my fellow members about the car on
amicale-r15-r17.forumpro.fr/t6019-restauration-1326-alberto
Also, there is a link I have pusblished with the process of the restoration of this car. You will be amazed of the job we have performed on this car to bring it back to life.Please follow this link with 140 PICTURES:
plus.google.com/photos/105876176090498194630/albums/57689...