Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

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I have only owned two French cars, a Peugeot 205GTi 1.6 and a 205Gti 1.9 in 1987 and 1988 respectively. Both were great fun, the 1.9 especially.
For some reason, however, French cars have never really appealed to me perhaps because I prefer the "Britishness", anachronisms and imperfections included in UK built cars between 1950 -1990.

I consider a Citroen Traction Avant a handsome vehicle but would prefer to own a Riley RM if you see what I mean.

There is one exception - the Renault 16.

Several of my parent's friends owned examples and my own father hankered after one in 1971 until my mother talked him out of the idea.
The first one I drove was in 1972. It was a gold coloured TS which had broken it's driveshaft ( a common fault) and was repaired here in Betws y Coed. It belonged to a a business friend of my father's and I had to drive it back to it's owner on the North Wales coast.

It wasn't an 18 year old's bedroom pin up but what I remember was the soft ride, seats and general comfort. The column change was positive and an eager engine. It rolled a bit in corners, though.

I also had a try two years later on a TX. It was quicker and the 5 speed gearbox and electric windows were novel to me.
Finally in 1980 I had the use of a TL as a courtesy car for a week when my mother's Ford Fiesta had a car run into the back of it when only three weeks old.

It was just as good as I remembered.

Stirling Moss described the Renault 16 "...is one of the most intelligently engineered cars I have encountered......"

It was a far better car than the Austin Maxi and the fact that the Renault 16 remained in production for fifteen years says it all, really.

What are your opinions?
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[Ray White]

The Renault 16 had its good points but had quite a few failings as well. From a mechanics point of view they were bit of a pig to work on. You compare it to the Maxi which in my opinion had better handling but if you compared the Renault to a Land Crab it was left seriously wanting. Again just my opinion but I think the Morris was one of the best cars of it's time. Just a pity it didn't have a hatch back. That is where the Renault scored heavily over it's rivals.

I guess I have never much cared for post war Renaults.

Citroen on the other hand have always been leaders in technological advancement.

[Penguin45]

I'd take a Citroen GS first....

P45.
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'67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum.

[Kenham]

I seem to remember fitting a new clutch cable on one and it was not an easy job. Someone said they always cut a hole in the bulkhead to assist the fitting , I might have even done this but can't quite remember.

[Rene]

I have owned 2 renault 16 tx,very comforty and pretty fast cars,mechanics were good but elecrical they were a pig.
I also had a few of citroens,from 2cv to cx and currently i drive a 1985 visa as a daily,for citroens the same story,good mechanics bad electrics and cheap upholstery.
As for morris and austin:a mini and a glider,both oil leaking breakdown disasters

[Minxy]

Renault 16 TX.....and thereby hangs a tale.
I think it was in the final year of my apprenticeship we had a customer with a Renault 16 TX and the engine had blown. He decided the car was not economically viable for a repair so turned to my boss and said he could have the car in Lou of the investigation invoice ( about £50 if I recall). My boss said OK and in turn gave it to me instead of my claiming my overtime that week. Hence I became the owner of a TX - put a secondhand engine in it one weekend and ran it for 6 months. Have to say it was a lovely car, very comfortable and easy to drive (it was an auto)
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Hillman minx convertible. Lanchester LD 10

[Ray White]

This is a restoration that goes beyond the call of duty.

You really have to admire the devotion.

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/thread/1803/renault-16-tx-restoration

[Minxy]

[Ray White]

Although mechanics used to avoid them like the plague, I have never spoken to an owner who didn't think they were brilliant cars.

There are very few RHD R16's about now. Most failed the M.O.T. on corrosion (amongst other things); the rear suspension mounts were usually the final nail in the coffin.

[Ashley]

I drove miles in the standard and the TS and loved them. Really comfortable, smoother engines than Brit cars, soft ride, high cruising speed, really good performance and eccentric French fun. Different to Brit cars but ingenious as French cars always are imo.

[Rick]

[Ray White]

[Ellis]

[Rusty]

I remember working on several that were traded in on either Jags or Triumphs back in the day and if I ever have to work on another it will be breaking an oath I swore then never to ever have anything to do with one again EVER !!!

[Ray White]