Renault 11 Automatique

[RobT]

This one deserves its own thread I think.

 

As posted in News 24, I collected it from bramz on Tuesday (he's a very pleasant chap, BUY WIV CONFIDENCE). Stopped off at the co-op for a beer and bleary eyed noticed this inadvertent photo opp.

 

 

Once home I evicted the 19 from the garage, pausing for a bit of yellow fog light loveliness.

 

 

Yesterday I worked from home, and once all that boring job shite was out the way I spent a few hours giving the 11 a rinse, and treating the plastics to about 5 quids worth of Autoglym Trim Gel. It wasn't filthy or anything, but it's just something I like to do to see how good/bad a car is.

 

 

 

The trim has come up well, although could probably do with another go. It really is a nice, genuine, low mileage car (46,600 miles), with hardly any rust. I've had a brief look, and the only areas to speak of are by the passenger door hinge, some peeling of the underseal on the front OS sill where it's probably been jacked up incorrectly, and some light surface stuff on suspension bits 'n' bobs. I can't see any evidence of welding either.

 

For the most part it has been owned from new by a gifferette in Cornwall. I did a street view of her house and it's a bungalow with a garage attached, and the door is painted the same colour as the car. Ah bless! The fact it's attached to the house must have helped its survival, as opposed to being kept in a shitty damp lockup somewhere.

 

The 'never been smoked in' cliche is true here.

 

 

I love this seat design, complete with corduroy covering. They are actually quite comfortable too, and have a tilt function that I haven't yet managed to adjust, so the driving position is a laid back affair. I'll probably just leave it as is.

 

 

Some interesting details include the sun visors that fit flush with the roof line/top of A-pillar.

 

 

Dashboard is an interesting non-reflective matt effort (and is mintola, pretty much like the rest of the interior).

 

 

Brake pedal rubber with the Renner badge.

 

 

Lah-de-dah electric windows that work, and corduroy door card.

 

 

It's early days, but I can see myself becoming smitten. Apart from an occasionally clunky shift up to to 3rd, and a few grumbles from the front end, I can't see it needing much. I'll change the ATF (Renomatic D2 which is still available) and do an oil change, but it's clearly been a well maintained car. As bona fide old chod goes it's perfectly usable, and my plan was to use it all winter, but it's really too good for that once the salt gets chucked down.

 

Incidentally, the colour is probably divisive, but in real life it really suits it. One of those rare things where photos don't do it justice IMO.

 

It will live indoors, but my garage isn't the best in winter as it can get a bit damp. Better than outside I suppose.

 

[will16]

Colour is spot on, what a cool car 

[320touring]

Oh my, good effort Rob.

 

Hope you enjoy it

[Ghosty]

Wow, just wow. Seriously impressive stuff. 

This has definitely found a good home, if your Metro is anything to go by this will be very well cared for. 
Enjoy.

[RobT]

Thanks Ghosty! It's pretty much the same condition as my Metro. Good and original but showing some age, which is exactly how I like them. The one extra thing it might benefit from is the wheels being refurbished. That'll probably just tidy it up enough, with it still retaining the look of unrestored old chod.

[Zelandeth]

That's a gorgeous little car.

 

Still reckon these have some of the coolest dash warning lights with the whole brightly lit symbol on a dimmer but still coloured background thing going on.

 

I was fascinated by instrumentation design as a kid (still am) and remember thinking that looked epic the first time I saw it.

[DVee8]

Can you get any bags of silka gel to dot around the garage to absorb any moisture?

 

Lovvely in co/op green.A great car with fab spec..

[dollywobbler]

This thread makes me very happy. Nice pics.

[artdjones]

It's in exactly the right condition.The same as a really well cared for 10 year old car.

[Joey spud]

That colour is the mutts.

[mk2_craig]

Love this!! Cornwall seems to still be a fertile source of little-used old tat.

[bramz7]

I am so glad it went to you Rob, I loved it when I got it but it desperately, desperately, needed a garage. 

 

Well that's my 11 itch scratched, but it feels odd not having an old Renault outside now. 

 

 

 

Regarding third gear, it seems to go in much better when kickdown is used, but yes, an ATF change would be welcome. Also, I trust you have seen the remarkably easy (well it looked it) belt layout?

[Eric]

What a great colour, never seen a Renault 11 in this colour in France or The Netherlands....special order?? 

Renault 4, was sold over here in this (927 "jade green")

[Parky]

Love it. We had a Nine for 13 years so I know these cars fairly well. Very practical, especially in auto form around the badlands of South London.

 

Renaults seemed to be very popular in Cornwall years ago, whenever we visited they seemed to be everywhere. Must have been a Breton thing.

 

Mechanically it’s a Five up front so bits and bobs should be a doddle. Tappet clearances are a bit fiddly to do but once you get the hang of it it’s not too bad.

 

Verdict - win. With additional win points for the colour

[bramz7]

The colour is truly intriguing, I think no one has seen an 11 in that shade before, plus it's pretty much about as late a prefacelift you can get...I am sure there is a story behind it but the impression I got is the original owner died. 

 

Here it is with her by the way, as spotted on Instagram:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmIeoOSnji5/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

[Supernaut]

How can anybody not love that colour? It's brilliant!

 

It's also a brilliant wee car. Love it.

[HMC]

Can you get a group shot of the 11 and 19 together before the 19 gets roffled off? It’s come up a treat with the bumper care stuff.

[wuvvum]

My maths teacher had a B-plate Renault 4 in that colour in the early '90s.  I think I've seen a Supercinq in the same shade in France, but never a 9 or 11 that I can recall.

[michael t]

Very neat motor, nicely done

[pshome]

blue cars are the best cars

 

+1 for your photographic skills, very nice shots!

[carlo]

Absolutely beautiful, colour makes it.  And auto!!  I can see that this sort of car really needs garaging.

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Said when I collected the BMW - my son loved this too........ excellent vehicle.

Honestly, I'd get it out in the fresh air if damp is an issue.... it'll be better off with air circulating around it....... just my 2p

[RobT]

 

Regarding third gear, it seems to go in much better when kickdown is used, but yes, an ATF change would be welcome. Also, I trust you have seen the remarkably easy (well it looked it) belt layout?

Yes it's much better when you put mechanical sympathy aside and hoof it. Belt does indeed look easy, even I should be able to manage that.

 

Those pics of the dear old gifferette driving are great!

[RobT]

Said when I collected the BMW - my son loved this too........ excellent vehicle.

Honestly, I'd get it out in the fresh air if damp is an issue.... it'll be better off with air circulating around it....... just my 2p

A fellow shiter has kindly offered use of a dehumidifier over the winter, and the main issue I've been meaning to sort for ages is my garage floods during heavy wind and rain. A grate in front of the door should help and will be fitted soon. Only taken me 7 years to get on it...the Metro lives elsewhere in a nice, dry housing association garage.

[Fabergé Greggs]

This is such a honey- was sorely tempted myself.

[barrett]

With the alloys refurbished this will be an absolute stunner. Already looks vastly improved with the plastic treatment. Top bombing, and thanks for buying it so I didn't have to

[wuvvum]

I reckon you should enter this into the concours at next year's FOTU.  It's definitely interesting enough for that.

[RobT]

^^The TXE Electronic was my favourite car at the FOTU this year. I've wanted an 11 for ages and nearly bought a B reg one three years ago. But it was too rough and owned by a feral giffer, so the interior was absolutely rank. Mind you it was cheap.

[Pillock]

That is a beautiful car.... the colour is wonderful, really cheerful. And in such good condition too, it would be worth sending some photos to Renault to see if it would be of use for promo stuff as I doubt there's a better condition 11 around. That dash, that courdroy, those seats..... hubba hubba.

 

(Or given the colour, hubba bubba)

[Broadsword]

Congratulations on a fabulous purchase, the colour and the condition of the thing is deeply pleasing!