1998 Renault Sport Spider

The Renault Sport Spider is powered by the 150bhp, 16v four cylinder, engine, which was first seen in the Renault Clio Williams and also used in the original Megane Coupe 16v. Given the relatively light weight of this car, that's enough to make it very fast indeed. Rest to 60mph takes just 6.9 seconds on the way to a maximum speed of 134mph. Take a seat behind the wheel and you instantly know that this car means business; quite simply it's more race car than road car. With a single aluminium bar dominating the dashboard, there are only three dials set into a central pod on the dash. They don't include a speedometer, instead a rev counter, with oil and water pressure gauges. To complete the sports car feel, there are body-hugging Recaro bucket seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and adjustable pedals so the driver can achieve the absolute optimum driving position. The windows meanwhile, pivot up to open, arguably practical, certainly distinctive. The Renault Spider championships ran for several years as a support series to larger championships such as the British Touring Car Championship and groomed many fine racing drivers, such as Jason Plato.

This Sport Spider has spent the majority of its life being cosseted in Italy. Consequently, the warm climate has been very kind to the car and it is most unusual to find one that is original and unmodified. Having covered only 1,120 kilometres from new, the car presents very well with very few imperfections. Interested parties should pay close attention to this lot as it is arguably one of the nicest examples Silverstone Auctions has seen.

The Spider model was unfortunately discontinued after only a year and a half of production, with a total of 1635 examples manufactured. As a result, it is very rare to find a Sport Spider in this condition. For the UK market only 60 right-hand drive examples were sold and the remainder of the cars went to the German and French markets. Buyers should be aware that this lot has formed part of a large private collection and has been stood for some time in a heated environment, as such, some remedial works may be required. A light service has just been carried out by racing specialists Terry Keys Motorsport and a mechanical report from Terry Keys will be supplied in the history file at the auction. This Renault Sport Spider is ideal for spirited Sunday morning driving in fine continental weather.