1997 RenaultSport Spider

The idea for the Renault Spider was formulated in the early 1990s, in the midst of a revival, after a difficult second half of the 1980s, Renault wanted a car to promote as a sporting brand (similar to the Renault 5 Turbo from a decade earlier) and as a result the Spider was the first car to be produced under the new brand name of 'Renaultsport'.

The Renaultsport Spider started life as a futuristic concept car dubbed ‘Laguna Roadster’ that made its international debut at the 1990 edition of the Paris Motor Show. Public response to the Laguna Roadster was surprisingly positive, so Renault’s top executives attempted to make a reasonable business case for it. The project was a tough sell at first, few automakers can justify investing in a low-volume niche model, but it was finally given the green light for production in September of 1993.

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 service record is impeccable too, the most recent (with cambelt) being done at Renault specialists Cedar Motors Ltd. of Leicestershire.

• Aug 2022 - 5,018 miles - Vasstech Northallerton
• Sep 2021 - 5,008 miles - Vasstech Northallerton
• Sep 2020 - 4,999 miles - Vasstech Northallerton
• Jul   2019 - 4,993 miles - Vasstech Northallerton
• Sep 2007 - 3,322 miles - Parkwood Service Centre
• Jun  2006 - 3,125 miles - Parkwood Service Centre
• May 2004 - 2,675 miles - Parkwood Service Centre
• Jun  2003 - 2,307 miles - Parkwood Service Centre
• Jun  2002 - 2,081 miles - Parkwood Service Centre
• Jun  2001 - 1,852 miles - Globe Motors Ltd
• Nov 1999 - 1,034 miles - Renault Leeds

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.