Renault is opening a new museum at its Flins factory, just outside Paris. We've already written about the museum itself, and its potential exhibits (and you can read more on that here). We also knew, at the time of the museum's announcement, that Renault was going to have a bit of a clear-out of its archive and put some seriously amazing cars up for auction. And now we have the auction catalogue, produced in association with auction house Arcturial, for that sale…
Don't leave us hanging. What's on offer?
What's not on offer? OK, so there are some obvious highlights such as the Renault-Alpine A442, which was part of the winning Le Mans 24hrs team in 1978, and this one was raced at Imola and The Nurburgring in 1975, and at Le Mans in 1977.
Then there's the classic rally weapons, such as the Maxi Turbo 5 prototype B0 and the Renault 5 GT Turbo Bandama, as driven by Alain Oreille.
Or there are amazing road cars, such as a pristine, unrestored Renault Clio Williams hot hatch (still our dream 1990s hot hatch) and a perfectly restored 1950s Renault 4CV saloon. Or even an original Renault 5 in police colours, if you want to come over all Inspector Clouseau.
Is it just Renaults in the sale?
Nope, there are some Alpines too - such as an A610 Evolution, the most powerful model ever built by the firm (at least until the new A390 arrives), as well as the Alpine V6 Turbo and a mock-up of the A110.
Any other racing cars?
Oh yes, Renault is selling off some of its Formula One crown jewels, including some 20 of its F1 cars from 1981 to 1985, as raced in period by the likes of René Arnoux, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Patrick Tambay, Eddie Cheever and Alain Prost. There's an RE40 race-winner from the Belgian Grand Prix, as driven by Alain Prost, that would be an astonishing buy for any historic motor racing collector.
There's also an F1 engine for sale, but not just any old lump - a 1986 Renault Elf V6 Turbo EF15, complete with its original packing crate, that powered no less than Ayrton Senna's Lotus-Renault in the Detroit Grand Prix and during qualifying at Adelaide for the Australian Grand Prix that year.
What about further back in time?
If you want to get really historic - and remember that Renault is one of the oldest extant car makers in the world - then how about a Type D from 1901, which is still functional, or a really cool Renault bus from 1933, which sounds like epic transport for you and your friends to Goodwood or Retromobile. There are also remarkable replicas of an original Renault Type A from 1898, which comes in both petrol and fully electric forms.
Anything else?
Lots, if you'll excuse the auction-based pun. There are gorgeous wind tunnel models, racing suits and crash helmets, one of only three known examples of the 'Reinastella' flying saucer, produced in partnership with Eurodisney, and even the double-sided Bodet clock from the very Flins factory, which will now be home to Renault's museum.
When is the actual auction?
The auction, held by Arcturial Motorcars, will be held on 7 December at the Flins factory. Time to break into the piggy bank…