Itty Bitty time machine - Jalopnik article

[Kenny_Z]

http://jalopnik.com/5939624/this-is-...n-in-the-world

Innovative door solution. I wonder how well it works. That's about all the nice things I can say about this one.

[DMC5180]

Interesting, it looks like it started life as a VW Rabbit or Sirocco. I bet it's a Diesel.

[Dangermouse]

I'm fairly sure it is based on an early 80s Renault 11 3 door hatchback.

It already had the quad headlamp layout and that steering wheel is pure Renault.

Awesome 1.1 or 1.4 4cyl engine making around 55hp iirc

Getting it up to 88 would indeed be a miracle.

[Rich]

Dangermouse likely has it nailed. If it's not a Renault 11 then it might be a Renault GTA, which had twin rear hood scoops such as the ones seen in the Jalopnik pics, also similar fender shapes. For sure the Renault steering wheel is a giveaway. The GTA was related to the R11. It showed up in the USA as the forlorn Renault Alliance (aka "Renault Appliance") sold by AMC in the same years that DMC-12's were sold here.

So at least they chose a car of the same vintage as a D for this little project?

Hoping this project did not consume two good DMC taillight assemblies.

Sorry to dirty this forum with the image....

1987 Renault GTA 2 Door Sedan 1.jpg

[thirdmanj]

I want to see those doors in action.

[Rich W]

Dangermouse likely has it nailed. If it's not a Renault 11 then it might be a Renault GTA, which had twin rear hood scoops such as the ones seen in the Jalopnik pics, also similar fender shapes. For sure the Renault steering wheel is a giveaway. The GTA was related to the R11. It showed up in the USA as the forlorn Renault Alliance (aka "Renault Appliance") sold by AMC in the same years that DMC-12's were sold here.

1987 Renault GTA 2 Door Sedan 1.jpg

Note: observations from my iPhone viewing only.

Looks a lot more like the Encore than the Alliance.
The Encore was the hatchback version of this line.

My girlfriend in the early to mid 80's had an Encore
and I recall installing an upgraded radio in the car,
including 4x10 speakers in the back hatch area.
Obviously, the back hatch area has been modified.

IIRC, the Encore was also only available as a 2-door
(2-door plus hatch), while the Alliance was initially
available as a 4-door sedan or 2-door convertible
(convertible in the last year or two of production).

Later,
Rich W.

[Dangermouse]

As the linked website is French, I feel fairly sure that it is an R11



ignore the "turbo script"



Dammit, I know it is an R11. I spent too much of my youth in a series of Renaults (5, 9, 11, 14, 18, 20 & 25) not to recognise one.

[Rich W]

Since the website referenced is a French website, I would agree that it is most likely an R11, which was sold in France,
however, the Encore is basically the identical car as the R11. It's almost like comparing a Dodge Neon and a Plymouth Neon.

Encore-1984.jpg

Quote from a French cars website:

"The R11 was introduced in 1983 (as the Encore model in 1984 for North America) with the 1.4L engine, and from 1985 offered
the choice of the 1.7L engine as well, although there may have been a few made with the 2l engines toward the end of production."

[dmcjohn]

Definitely a Renault 11, I remember them also from growing up in the 80's in Ireland Dermot! My uncle had one, I remember thinking I'd get one someday and make a DeLorean out of it (before I realized the DeLorean was a real car that I cold actually buy someday!)

[Dangermouse]

I think that it is apt that he used a car with a Renault power plant anyway. It's no worse that the Scirroco or Dodge replicas