Renault 14TS

[conaero]

So, I have posted this out of the main forums as many won't be interested but some may.

After my Renault 14's maiden outing to The Festival of the Unexceptional and the crazy attention it got from both known YouTubers and the general public, I am creating this thread as it now begins it complete restoration and transformation from a 1.2 GTL to a 1.4TS.

I will add some history shortly about the car and its rareness first then a list of what has been done to date, the parts I have purchased and where from and the horrors that will no doubt be revealed beneath once the outer body panels all come off for OEM replacements.

Feel free to hit the ignore button

 

[Spartacus]

Please ignore my brother. He is not well......

 

[Scaf]

So given how rare the car is, is there an argument for keeping it stock ?

 

[conaero]

So given how rare the car is, is there an argument for keeping it stock ?

There is yes….but the plan was always to recreate my first car, bronze 1.4 TS with tan interior.

Whilst the fans say keep it pure and crusty, it’s about me and not them.

I have just sent the oem fabric off to Humphries (same firm that did Drew Prichards Lancia fabric) nitters in Suffolk to have it remade, the seats with this fabric will cost more than the value of the car but it has to be spot on.

The plan is in two years to enter it into the concourse at The Festival of the Unexceptional…and no doubt be extremely disappointed

 

[conaero]

So after 5 years of searching I finall located one of the three remaining RHD 14’s left on the road from Maurice Roddy in Ireland. Only having covered 28k mlles and Zeibart treated from new the car, with the exception of its outer removable panels was amazingly rust free.

It had not been on the road since 2000 and dry stored in a collection since.

So jumping at the chance I immediately booked a flight from Southampton to Dublin where Maurice met me in the car.

It was a long journey home, up to the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead overnight then the long drive to the South Coast.

The tyres were 30 plus years old and some cracking and bulging so I took it very slowly on the trade plates.

Remarkably it made it, only tearing a driveshaft CV gaiter and flinging the grease everywhere.

It came with a boot full of spares and oem panels, both wings, scuttle, doors and the tailgate.







It sat in my garage for the next two years whilst I assembled parts. A brand new TS dash from France in miles and not KM for €30!

This purchasing continued for the next few years and I was amazed just how many oem parts were still out there, sitting on shelves and in lofts for all this time waiting for me.

 

[conaero]

First failed outing….

So last summer I booked to go to a weekend show of similar cars in North Wales. A week before I removed the car to prep it, took it for a test drive but all was not well. The brakes were sticking!

So on the drive on a scissor jack the true horror was unveiled. The entire braking system required total overhaul. It needed brake lines, pistons, shoes, seal and rear cylinders. I had already had the wheels stripped and powder coated, fixed the split CV gaiter and a set of 5 tyres all round Inc spare.

So the trip for me was over. The car went back in the garage where I sulked and ended the interest for now.

 

[conaero]

Please ignore my brother. He is not well......

How’s your BMX build going? You will look a right nob on that.

 

[conaero]

French Forey….

So I identified all the parts I needed, all of which were in France. I took the works van and one morning off I went.

First stop Lille to get a new OEM bonnet and door, Then down by Tours to get a complete but shoddy interior from a scrap yard then a night in the usual hotel in Samur.

Day two was back up North or Le Mans to a chaps house where he had an entire TS, engine, box, interior, loom, glass etc and I bundled the lot in the van and headed off for Calais. One route came up through the middle of Paris. I had time so thought why not!

 

[conaero]

That’s the story to date, the next part of the adventure is off to Holland in a few weeks to Eindhoven to pic up the rest of the OEM panels, sills and brightwork so I can completely change every exterior panel with the exception of the roof panel.

Adnan/AS Motorsport and I are hooking up for an evening of beer as I am passing by….rude not to.

 

[conaero]

December 2022

My Xmas consisted of reconditioning and sprucing up the newly acquired 1.4 and 5 speed box. All new gaskets, clutch, manifold studs, water pump, fuel pump and a new Solex twin choke

 

[safrane]

During my time both living and holidaying in France, I was always struck by the number of older cars on the road... it would seem many french value their cars more than their old housing stock.

Eventually got one for myself, house and car that is. However they are now with the ex. At least I kept the Maserati.

 

[rs48635]

Nice work Matt. We are all bitten by "our first" I guess.

DO I really want a 1980 Fiat Panda ? Bound to happen one day. I do like the R16 which good mate has a sniff around each summer. Maybe let him buy it.
now look what happened - get this for an experience , with sounds !

R16 TX - The Originals Museum

With The Originals Museum, travel through the brand's history and take a new look at R16 TX from a fun and modern perspective.

theoriginals.renault.com

 

[rs48635]

and just for the owner https://theoriginals.renault.com/r14. nickname "the Pear"

here you go @conaero

 

[conaero]

Thanks Rob, you’re still alive then?

 

[philw696]

Nice work Matt. We are all bitten by "our first" I guess.

DO I really want a 1980 Fiat Panda ? Bound to happen one day. I do like the R16 which good mate has a sniff around each summer. Maybe let him buy it.
now look what happened - get this for an experience , with sounds !

R16 TX - The Originals Museum

With The Originals Museum, travel through the brand's history and take a new look at R16 TX from a fun and modern perspective.

theoriginals.renault.com

Got 2 R16 in my workshop and regularly look after a very nice one for a neighbour.
My daily runaround is my little R4.

 

[Wack61]

At least your first car was affordable to buy , mine was a red Mk3 Cortina 1.6 GXL , Ford tax today has them well over 10k for a rough one , even a corgi model is £100



The Renault should be better than new when you're finished

 

[rs48635]

Thanks Rob, you’re still alive then?

seemingly The move "oop north" looks much further from the far end. Could it be the M6 telescope effect?

 

[rs48635]

Got 2 R16 in my workshop and regularly look after a very nice one for a neighbour.
My daily runaround is my little R4.

Hi Phil
Always like the R4 after meeting teenage girls driving one during my first ever holiday without parents.
Can't quite figure out why the R16 still looks so handsome , in quad headlight spec of course.

 

[Motorsport3]

On the subject of classic French cars

 

[rs48635]

On the subject of classic French cars

Nice film, thanks for sharing the inimitable roadside scene of small-town France. The 16 wins for me on gallic charm, innovation and style. ( That green really suits the period). The 404 is nicely classic car territory , but pininfarina did this shape for many carmakers. Can see several British classics, only distinguished by lights and trim. The very definition of wearing light make-up. Still shocked to discover that R16 was designed and released in the 1960s where the Peugeot might have been drawn in the 50s and kept on ice.