The Classic Sale At Silverstone Festival 25th - 27th August 2023

+ buyers premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) on the first £300,000 of the hammer and 10% plus VAT (12% incl VAT) thereafter 147 Registration: R137 EFA Chassis No.: VMKAF0H0515801676 Estimate: £38,000 - £44,000 Specialist: Joseph Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 645 1997 RenaultSport Spider The Spider was intended to serve as both a racing car in a one-make series organised by Renault and as a slightly more civilized road car. The first prototypes for ‘Project W94’, as it was known at the time, were completed in mid-1994, and a concept version was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1995. The car went on sale in late 1995, assembled at the Alpine factory in Dieppe. Designed from the outset as a driver’s car, the chassis was made of aluminium (combining low weight and substantial strength) clad in a GRP body. The gearbox and engine were one unit, transversally fixed in an oscillating hinge (an arrangement inspired by aeronautical design), which all but eradicated the interference of engine vibration with the chassis. The pedals of the Spider were adjustable as well as the seat so the driver could achieve the absolute optimum driving position. The heart of the Spider was a mid-mounted 2-litre, DOHC F7R four-cylinder engine which was borrowed from the Clio Williams and later used in the Mégane Coupé. Tuned to generate 148bhp and 129lb/ft. of torque, the 16-valve unit was linked to a five-speed manual transmission that sent power to the rear wheels. The 930kg two-seater sprinted from 0 to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and went on to a top speed of 133mph. According to the official production numbers there were just 1,685 examples of the Spider assembled in Alpine’s Dieppe factory from 1996 to 1999. Each car was hand-built from start to finish and took about 90-hours to complete, which partially justified its relatively high price at the time. The Spider model was unfortunately discontinued after only a year and a half of production. 400 LHD cars were produced as ‘saute vente’ with a wind deflector (instead of a windscreen) which created an air-screen in front of the driver. For the UK-market, a number of RHD cars were built with windscreens, but only 60 RHD cars were sold. The remainder of the cars were sold in the German market converted back to LHD with the addition of a driver’s airbag. The 1997 Renaultsport Spider presented here is one of those 60 windscreen- equipped, right-hand drive examples sold new to the UK-market and has covered just over 5,000 miles since new. It’s finished in the original three-stage Pearlescent Liquid Yellow paintwork - arguably a Spider’s signature colour. Incredibly original and still in ‘showroom condition’, there cannot be many better examples available. It has quite obviously has never seen any rain or winter roads, its condition being wholly commensurate with its low-mileage, fully backed-up by servicing records. It was supplied new on 16th December 1997 through Bailey’s of Hanley Ltd. (Renault) and is still accompanied by its owner’s book-pack, service book, numerous receipts and invoices, V5C, previous MOT Certificates, and both keys, as well as clear and weatherproof cockpit covers. It also retains its original ‘briefcase’ in the front luggage compartment which houses the locking wheel nut, spares, tow hook, and jack. The full service record is available on our website. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a special little sports car, rarely seen on British roads, that is sure to be the talking point at any classic car show. A collector-quality example of Renault’s never-to-be-repeated, limited-edition, design-classic with just over 5,000 miles and an extensive service history. More Details Lot 645 Bid On Lot 645