- Auctions
- The Classic Sale at Silverstone Festival - Competition Car Sale
- 1986 Renault 21 Turbo Ex-Michael Bleekemolem
1986 Renault 21 Turbo Ex-Michael Bleekemolem
Lot Number: 308
1986 Renault 21 Turbo Ex-Michael Bleekemolem
The famous 'Penthouse' car of ex-F1 driver, Michael Bleekomolen, raced in Dutch Touring cars, now fully restored and upgraded by Renault experts, Prima Racing.
- NOT SOLD
LIVE AUCTION: This lot was auctioned on Friday 25th August, 2023 at 1.00pm BST at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN
-
DRIVE
LHD -
REG NUMBER
N/A
SUMMARY
The famous 'Penthouse' car of ex-F1 driver, Michael Bleekomolen, raced in Dutch Touring cars, now fully restored and upgraded by Renault experts, Prima Racing.
DESCRIPTION
The car presented here is a 1986 Renault 21 Turbo (Phase 1), in left-hand drive built in Dieppe. It was supplied to Renault Holland for Michael Bleekomolen, the ex-F1 and F3 driver, and Renault stalwart, to use with some success in 1988/89 Dutch Touring Cars, being sponsored (quite infamously) by top-shelf magazine publishers, Penthouse (see historical images).
Following this period, it was brought to the UK by GB Motorsport and Renault UK and prepared to compete in the Willhire 24-hour races, their first real foray into production saloon racing as a precursor to their commitment to BTCC. Subsequently raced by James Roseblade whose team continued with the long-distance racing theme supported by Renault UK. Then followed a period when the car was in storage.
Our vendor, of Renault specialists Prima Racing, bought the car from the Renault Alpine Club UK in 2018 in an already partially-stripped state; his plan was to fully restore the car and race it in the Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Series in 'Group A'. He continued the car’s preparation and sent it to Custom Cages for a new roll cage and then to Pro-Alloy to have new intercooler, water radiator and header tank manufactured. Later in the restoration, Pro-Alloy also manufactured a 100-litre FIA fuel tank with revised ‘period’ quick-fill fuel system through the boot lid. The fuel system includes a swirl pot, lift pump, and two Bosch 044 spec fuel pumps. The car was then fully stripped out, the bodyshell stripped and blasted, modified to accept 8"-wide wheels on the rear, new fuel tank holder, sill stand tubes and new standard jacking points. The shell was then etched-primed and painted in its original black and silver livery. The underside of the car was given a protective coating.
This year our vendor was obtained a DVLA Registration Document for the car which will help with taking the car abroad for events; it has only been used for two track sessions for testing and two demo runs at Shelley Walsh for the 2023 Classic Nostalgia.
All new parts were used as required:
Chassis
- Sill stands
- New fuel tank mounting
- New roll cage by Custom Cages
- Painted silver internally and black externally with Penthouse livery
- New side skirts modified for jacking points/side exhaust
- Corbeau Kevlar racing seat with alloy side mounts, QSP 6-point HANS racing harness
- Red Top 40 battery with electronic cut off and Anderson plug
- Aeroquip stainless oil, fuel and brake lines and stainless fittings
- Heated front windscreen
- Flocked dash with individual instruments and controls
- Lifeline Zero 360 electronic fire extinguisher
- Complete custom race car loom, PDM and programmable engine ECU
- Quick-release QSB suede steering wheel
Suspension
- Rear axle reconstructed with bearings (no rubber)
- Custom 'Group A' suspension with Eibach springs, alloy rose-jointed front top mounts
- All new front and rear hubs with special TK Precision wheel studs
- Power steering converted to switchable electric pump
- Front cross-member modified for blade anti-roll bar and fitted rose jointed tubular wishbones
Brakes
- AP Racing 6-pot calipers with 330mm front discs
- Rear 300mm discs
- Twin AP Racing cylinder pedal-box - adjustable
- Hydraulic handbrake
Wheels/tyres
- 8" x 17" Bola alloy wheels and 210/625 17" Yokohama tyres
Engine
- 'Group A'-spec, Cup crank, forged rods and pistons, ductile liners, Uprated oil pump, modified Prima Racing cylinder head, competition cam, vernier adjustable, Bosch blue injectors, ladder sump, steel flywheel, 6 paddle clutch, T34 competition turbo on stainless Zircotec coated manifold, alloy boost and water pipes, competition engine mounts, WOSP competition alternator and starter motor
- Currently mapped at 23psi boost, on 99-octane fuel with potential to increase power from 300bhp to 350bhp (fairly easily)
- 3" side exhaust system with Zircotec coated downpipe
Gearbox/diff/driveshafts
- Rebuilt gearbox. New Gripper LSD, Quaife (Tour de Corse) gear kit and new competition driveshafts
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 308
- Make
- RENAULT
- Model
- 21 TURBO
- Variant
- 'Penthouse'
- Registration Number
- N/A
- Chassis Number
- TBC
- Transmission
- Manual
GALLERY
CONSIGNOR
Joseph Watts
- Car Specialist
- 07779 082707
- joe@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Joseph.
CONTACTSEE IT IN ACTION
SEE IT IN ACTION
All cars must be removed from the venue between 9am and 2pm on Monday 28th August. Full payment must be received before any item is available to be released.
Our transport partner EM Rogers can assist with collection and delivery. Please contact them on +44 (0) 1604 755 511 or trafficdesk@emrogers.co.uk for a quote.
Any cars not collected by 2pm on Monday 28th August will be taken to EM Rogers storage facility in Northampton for a fee of £175 plus VAT. Storage will be charged at £10 plus VAT per day from the Monday onwards.
Did you know that you may be able to finance your upcoming auction purchase? Our exclusive finance partner Apollo Capital are able to organise fast pre-approval for car funding on the latest interest rates and terms, minimum £50k lend.
An agreement in principle could see you arrange a finance package so the funds are ready to be paid out when you’ve bought your dream auction purchase. Please speak to their experts for a quote on 01423 590242 or visit apollocapitalgroup.co.uk/iconicauctioneers/.
A classic car or motorcycle is a source of great pride and enjoyment but, whether your car or motorcycle is in storage or on the road, you’ll need a specialist insurance policy. We have partnered with Howden Insurance a leading insurance brokers with a team dedicated to classic cars and motorcycles. They cover a vast array of classic and vintage models and only work with insurers who provide a great service and share our passion for the classic motor industry.
For a personal classic car or classic motorcycle quote, visit:
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/iconic-auctioneers
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