Chris Harris Drives The Renault 5 Turbo 1

Chris takes a drive in this Olympian Blue 1981 Renault 5 Turbo 1 currently live on Collecting Cars.
It is powered by a ported and tuned turbocharged 1.4-litre inline-four, which sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
It boasts a number of discerning modifications for improved performance of reliability, and has been resprayed from its original Pearl White hue to the appealing colour of Olympian Blue.
Full auction listing: collectingcars.com/for-sale/1...
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#ChrisHarris #ChrisHarrisDrives #CarReview #CollectingCars #renault #renault5turbo

[@crouchingtiger9108]

I'm sorry but there just isn't enough Chris Harris content being made. I'm happy he got the top gear job but I want more solo stuff!

[@dazz400]

Totally agree, those 2 bell ends he has to put up with on top gear really grate on me.

[@scottballantine8808]

Agree 100%! Chris Harris on Cars was as good as it gets!

[@baronvonteuchter1412]

Agreed. His old Chris Harris on Cars stuff was top notch. Imagine a KZbin series with him and Henry Catchpole? Fantastic.

[@matthewchandler2647]

Agreed 💯. Good for him for making the big bucks, but just like your favorite indie band going mainstream, us diehards all miss the old Chris Harris

[@thehardway7970]

Agreed, we need more!

[@TM240x]

Chris Harris could review a food mixer and I’d be still 100% invested into watching it . The GOAT

[@isaac1986ify]

So true!! Love this comment!!!

[@GuntanksInSpace]

His energy gets the likes of us. He's the best!

[@levisalvini4110]

I agree 💯 percent...

[@arceyes]

He is excellent at conveying his love for the cars and driving.

[@myoneblackfriend3151]

I look forward to the food mixer episode.

[@nathandrake6531]

top gear should do these videos. we need more chris in cars

[@mjrowden]

Disagree. More Chris, but not Top Gear. TG is naff these days

[@sbrader97]

@@mjrowden top gear youtube channel not the tv show with the other 2 ruining it

[@StefBelgium]

Top Gear? So that Hammond crashes it? No thanks

[@stewartdcampbell]

@@StefBelgium have you just woken up from 2015?

[@StefBelgium]

@@stewartdcampbell I don t watch Top Gear dude...so I don t even know who are the guys in the show now

[@stevofoz]

More 'Boring old man' videos please! Cracking to see Chris in a review-style video, informative, genuine and engaging - we definitely need more of this!

[@NGC1433]

This vid has some Harry Metcalfe aura to it, the alternate universe version of Jeremy Clarkson, who is humble, sane and nice but just as passionate bout cars.

[@FinleyESB]

My father was in the army and I spent my youth living in Germany in the 80s and ill never forget the day I saw one of these on the autobahn. It looked fucking insane, literally nothing looked like it. The rear wheels seemed monumentally wide compared to the skinny rims that were common place back then. This car was bat shit mental to see in the flesh by a young boy sat in the back of a yellow 3 series with no seatbelt on, because there wasn't one

[@charlesadams455]

it was a 1983 Turbo II in Never Say Never Again

[@raygt6370]

“These old snotters are never as quick as we hope”. Thanks Harris for having coffee out through my nose.

[@azharabduljabbar4768]

Chris Harris and Jason Camissa are the best car reviewers out there imo

[@nigelpogson5411]

Try Harry Metcalfe of Harry's Garage!

[@perrosdemaiz]

I like Steve Sutcliff as well

[@amandeep650]

Don't forget Henry Catchpole at Carfection

[@raach77]

Doug Demuro and Matt Watson ?

[@amandeep650]

@@raach77 I can't stand Doug Demuro LOL

[@ellinaras75]

In the bond movie “never say never” it was a 1982 Turbo 2 - you can tell from the interior (headrest pic) in the tunnel

[@Lemma01]

Thanks! Proper Geeking. 😉

[@peterduxbury927]

Back in '82, I owned a simple Renault 5. I had a problem where the inlet valve had burned, and it would no longer start. After the Head Removal, I decided to look at the Alloy Head. I did some work on improving the gas flow, on both inlet and exhaust ports, the Head Casting was rough - inside the ports. I slightly enlarged these ports, and polished them. I was truly amazed at the increase in performance from doing this work!. The body on a Renault 5 ensured that "it returned to the ground" after about 2 years of feeling pleased with the small modifications I made to the engine. It doesn't seem to matter which car you drive, you could always try to simply polish the Inlet/exhaust ports, it will be a noticeable improvement in performance, especially on those smaller engines.

[@robj3857]

On Saturday I thought I’d died and gone to heaven following a DB6 Volante for 8 miles out of Henley, then things got even better when a red Renault 5 turbo 1 ripped past in the other direction. Automotive heaven!

[@abikepeddler]

I own an 83' Turbo 2 with the 185hp upgrade kit in deep Marine Blue with a standard tan interior and the optional Gotti 150 wheels complete with 285mm rear tires. Produces over 1g of grip and will corner with most modern production cars although not nearly as fast in a straight line. But still, for its time, it was quite the weapon and considered an actual supercar thanks to its longitudinal mounted engine and wild Marcello Gandini styling. (Same designer that did the Countach, Miura and Lancia Stratos) When these cars are set up correctly they are a joy to drive. The shifter (not a cable linkage, sorry Chris), steering and brakes are so direct and the handling is actually much more neutral than many automotive publications of the time claimed. Lift off overseer is not really a big problem with these. I prefer the Turbo 2 to the Turbo 1 because parts availability is better, and I'm not really a fan of the bonkers interior of the Turbo 1. And other than the bespoke aluminum roof and doors of the Turbo 1 there's not much different between the two. They perform identically. Turbo 1's tend to bring right around $135,000 USD while Turbo 2's bring between $67,000 and $95,000 USD depending on color and condition.

[@davidthompson6834]

Nobody cares

[@jimparry3499]

I care 👍🏻

[@dixon296]

I do thank

[@soundmattersuk]

I do

[@robair67]

@@davidthompson6834 ...what you think!

[@mikef5693]

On a tour of Europe in a volkswagon van with my brother and father, I dragged them to the French Grand Prix at Dijon-Prenois in 1981 and my father was set to hate it but his highlight was the Renault 5 races before the feature, absolutely mental racing!!!! Watching 2 dozen of these getting thrashed around was an absolute riot! Cheers for the memory!

[@Wolfmots]

When I was a kid, about 15 years old in the early 80's, I saw the ad for this car in the back of a popular car magazine for sale brand new. They were asking $19k for it, and compared to what was available at that time back in the day it was a ROCKET! Was really hoping to have it as my first car but I came from a poor family so that wasn't an option. Had always hoped to see the car in action one day, thanks for making that happen.

[@newforestroadwarrior]

Bear in mind that $19k for a supermini in the early 1980s was a LOT of money, especially in the States where there wasn't really a developed market for them.

[@watfrd]

Chris Harris is a treasure chest on car knowledge, to be protected and conserved at all costs.

[@royster3345]

Just the right amount of facts and feedback, no stupid Top Gear challenges.

[@heroictesticles6870]

Had nothing but engine problems with the two series 2 I owned. Went through so many head gaskets. Might have had something to do with revving them like they weren't 1980's 1400cc engines and boosting one of them up to near on 200 hp without any engine work. Greatest memory was easily keeping up with a brand new Escort Cosworth.

[@bodybuildingandpaintingana8167]

The attention to detail, passion and shear joy of these videos on You Tube is brilliant. Please continue to make more videos like this. Thank you.

[@gmotuel]

I sold the Turbo 2 new in my time at Radbourne Racing Wimbledon. We also raced GT Turbo's and carried out all performance updates available on them. I recall £2000 you could have a T2 converted from LHD to RHD. I also remember once a businessman from Japan ordered 3 Pearl White cars from me to be converted to RHD, fitted with Gotti Wheels and send over to him. One was for himself but the other two where gifts for two of his best friends...Great Days.

[@johnshaw359]

I bought a used GT turbo from there in 1990. I think the salesmans name was Adrian.

[@Petrospect]

Such a cool move.

[@armoris66]

I was hoping someone would add a comment about Radbourne of Wimbledon. I used to ride past there as a teenager on by bike, stop and dream about being behind the wheel of the exotic looking little Renault turbo one day. Life was so simple then 😢

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

I'm always encouraged when a car model I'm interested in, other things too, if there are not many out there for sale, despite a decent number being made, and if there are good sources of spares around; it usually means that (other than a fair number getting written off) the owners are hanging on to them, which usually means they're worth keeping an eye open for when they do come up.

[@BorisBeer24]

My mom almost bought one brand new back in the day, so much regret she didnt, would have loved to drive it around. Edit: might have been the Turbo II though

[@memsybabe]

You must have the coolest mum in the world if she was contemplating buying a Turbo 1 or 2. Hats off to you and her...

[@BorisBeer24]

@@memsybabe Thanks haha, back then she used to be a stewardess and made good money because she did a lot of extra flights.

[@BorisBeer24]

@Wurst Zeit That would have been awesome :)

[@smellysam]

In high school a mum did that. She and hubby were in real estate, made good money but he was stingy. Anyhow, after much complaining about her old car, he told her she could have any R5 she wanted, expecting her to get the Baccara… Nope, she got a bright red Turbo2 and daily drove it.

[@niklaswejedal463]

Chris once again proves to be my #1 motor journalist hero. And what an awesome machine!

[@timg6613]

I fell in love with the Renault 5 Gordini when I was a kid in the 80's. Love these mad hot hatches.

[@64Papiculo]

I did the Tour Auto many many years ago in a R8 Gordini as a co-pilot, amazing car too! So much good memories from this! I even had a nice talk with Jean Ragnotti who was competing in a A110. Great pilot and great person too!

[@beaudwayful]

My parents had a Gordini in the mid 80s in rural Pennsylvania. They'd also had old Jags, a Citroen and a LeCar during my childhood. Bonkers...

[@64Papiculo]

@@beaudwayful Nice cars and nice memories for sure! 🤩 My dad had a MG-B when I was a kid, that's the first car I remember and I loved it. He had many cars after that, mostly foreign cars. The only French cars he ever owned were the R8 Gordini and the Alpine A110. He loved this last one and drove it to many amateur races! He was passionnated with cars since childhood and very skilled! :)

[@marcusFZ6]

Fabulous little video Chris, need more of these please. I've kinda got a soft spot for this era of R5. I kinda took over my mum's 1.4 GTL after doing silly things in my Mini ;) ;) Going from the Mini to the Renault was sublime, 5 speed box, nice suspension that didn't bounce none stop, brakes and a whole host of other features that Mini's just didn't have. We almost convinced my Mum to chop this in and get the Turbo version but she liked her little black 5 and so the 19year old me was heavily disappointed in 1990.

[@timlilly]

Lovely. After watching this I remember my 5 and wished I still had it. It was a great friend!

[@grantstemmet606]

I love the technical info,in life we don't break things down enough to appreciate it more! Keep up your videos!¡

[@kenxiong6830]

Absolutely amazing. I once met a lad in LA that had a trio of these due to the gray market law back in the 80s

[@79blustone]

Chris really needs a show on TV called Car Geek, Just something casual on a Sunday evening on BBC 2, just Chris and like minded guests just geeking out on random chats/ test drives and cool roads, almost in the style of a pod cast but on TV. I'd love to watch something like this. Low budget high quality content and conversation 👌

[@muthukumaranc]

Fantastic video! WE WANT MORE CHRIS HARRIS DRIVES!

[@MrPmouro]

I remember being 5/6 years old and going with my cousin on the top of the engine bay, with his father driving trough Lisbon . It was red and white and my god , it was beautiful ... Til this day , I remember . Good times , no doubt .

[@petehill3634]

Just saw Chris for the first time. Thanks mate you're the real deal.

[@TheCliffHanger]

I see Chris Harris, Jason Cammisa, or Henry Catchpole pop up on my feed, I click and watch. Never cease to provide such a great watch.

[@steveness7909]

It was a Turbo 2 in the Bond movie. I used to own a blue Turbo 1 S/N 0012 that was originally owned by Francois Castaign of Renault Sport. 280 HP with 22 lbs of boost. It was scarry fast.

[@greaser3069]

5:23 *me sitting there listening, imagining I’m driving this car* believe me Chris, we are listening… Always will because we get it.

[@olliebodman9771]

Keep them coming Chris great vids I had a turbo gt 1988 and it had a replacement 240bhp engine but nothing worked inside but so quick

[@CarsWithJB]

If you wanna have a go driving my dad’s Maxi Turbo I’m sure I can make it happen!

[@ChishanFipz]

Austin Maxi TURBO?

[@briansteele2723]

When many cars are seed away in garages as investment projects it is great to see this kind of thing, a well used and fun carr to blast around in.😎👍

[@Endureromex]

It was my dream car when I was a teenager, and still is!

[@spazda_mx5]

Always loved these, if I win the lottery on Tuesday I'll come and pick it up.

[@bartlx]

When I was 20 (in 1991) one of my friends let me drive around his beat up Turbo 2 while he was at an appointment, asking me to pick him back up 30 minutes later. Still one of the best automotive experiences of my life! Drove the seats of that car D That thing would pull like crazy beyond 3000 RPM like nothing I've experienced before.

[@Petrospect]

I was always curious if these were any good to drive (those that didn't burn down at least) Nice to see Chris again!

[@nearlyretired7005]

Beware the lift off oversteer!

[@jasonb4988]

If you look at prices today .. they are so high, especially if they are in immaculate condition. Love this video !

[@frits8986]

This is just the best content our there, more of Chris!

[@pierregoutorbe3180]

proud to see u testing our french cars ! some are aweful but some are amazing

[@Teebs555]

I respect Harris's opinion of cars more than anyone else's, he deserves ever dollar he earns and then some. If this channel wants more viewers then feature Harris more often! Cant get enough!

[@timw5709]

Chris geeking out a bit, love it 😀

[@Christoffski]

A video I searched for before it was created. Thank you for making it real haha

[@paulpascoe5200]

Just come across this channel love Chris Harris, great on Top Gear proper car guy great video

[@CherylCold]

It was a 2. My parents bought my brother and I a Renault 5 le car2 when we passed our driving tests. Scary body roll but never fell over, it did look crap so was given yellow fog lights and some turbo bits. All the mk1 r5's are fabulously cool, from the standard 1400 Alpine n/a to the Turbo2.

[@frankgile1996]

The fact that Renault made this, and then also made the Clio V6 is applause-worthy... I'm 25 years old and I'd love to drive, or at least ride passenger in, one of these cars... It looks like a car that could have been in Tintin comics, if Tintin was made around the 80's...

[@sanapadsense1999]

This car is at the beginning of Dragon Ball first comic book.

[@quitethesnapper]

Chris Harris is my favourite. He is the greatest. Thank you Chris.

[@bicyclist2]

The first thing that came to my mind was the red car from "Never Say Never Again". This is just another car we never got to see here in the US. I hope to be able to just see one some day. This has to be one of the coolest French cars ever made. I wonder what Mr Clarkson thinks of these Renault's. Thank you.

[@yvanpedron5255]

Tellement content de voir cela... Surtout chez Chris Harris.

[@sundown6436]

Keep the rews up! that`s what that car is all about! what a beauty!!!!

[@-DC-]

Had 2 First Generation Renault 5's FWD unfortunately but what a wonderful car they were very French very comfortable cheap to run and utterly classless, More Chris Harris Please !

[@Galatzo]

Some years ago Ragnotti came to Mallorca and took part in the Classic Rally in an Ex-works car. It was a go-kart with a roof, only seen modern rally cars and 911 GT3 corner like that, absolutely mesmerizing

[@mchristr]

I had gotten wind of the R5 in magazines but it wasn't until the Monterey vintage races that I saw one in the flesh. Scores of Ferraris, Lambos (an LM400!), Cobras, and other exotica in attendance, and I thought the little Renault was the coolest car on the property. Thanks Chris.

[@olivierfouassier6495]

Thanks mate, really made my day. Yep that Renault 5 Turbo 1 is world heritage. By the way Chris, have you ever been told you look just like Henri Pescarolo?

[@dougr550]

If it's a Chris Harris video it's a safe bet you can hit the like button before you even hit play. What a gem!

[@wiegraf9009]

What an amazing looking car. Just so cool, especially in that blue.

[@jasonb4988]

Absolutely stunning ! The first I saw an R5 in 1980 .. it was red and amazing. Sold from The Steering Wheel in Ft. Lauderdale .. to this day, I love it ! I’d love one, but how would I service it ? I know there is a UK specialist, but that’s not gonna work. Talk about stand out. Fabulous .. I actually got a ride then, and it was sooooo cool ! Thx Chris.

[@essex9]

I loved my old Renault 5 Turbo, was great fun

[@2702simmo]

A dream garage car regardless of whether any good imply because they’ve always looked cool since I was a kid in the 80’s Seem one once on the road and I was in awe

[@alanmitchell6302]

They are such a crazy cool car they don't need to be perfect, just need to be enjoyed and remembered

[@catxls1835]

I do love that car Chris. I know your a French car lover. A friend had the simple 5GT (1.4T) back in the 80's and it was hoot. Obviously not on par with that monster!! I can see by the body language of the car, that it handles beautifully. Just waiting for the first episode of the new TG series. Thumbs up!!

[@fabiena1787]

Nice to hear about Jean Ragnotti, here. I hope everybody will follow your advice and go see videos about his feats. great race driver, all about entertaining the fans, on top of that.

[@bernardgeorge9187]

Never say never again was using a Renault 5 Turbo 2. Great looking car

[@davidbarnsley8486]

I just love watching Chris do his thing Buy it Chris 👍👍😂😂

[@DrJ3RK8]

Nearly bought a white one of these in the mid 90s. Love these! Not sure what was done to it, but the one I was looking at had 250HP.

[@robinsonsadventures2174]

I miss my turbo 1, I had the rarest of them all, still have many many photos of its total rebuild, great car

[@steveness7909]

do you have a site where I can see some photos of your Turbo 1

[@stuartliddle7228]

I had a R5 "Famous Five" in 2004.... Best car ive ever had. Mate had a modern Cooper s Chili pack, Hilarious races on roundabouts ensued!! He drove to the legal limit, i just drove to the limit and hung on!! :)

[@joe5boost]

great vid thanks for sharing , keep up the good work

[@bluerineimb1148]

That was a car o always wanted to drive remember seeing them when new Chris has all the fun

[@briansnail7362]

great video ,really enjoyed it looking forward to more ........

[@ralphharrison6622]

just found this channel, subbed at once! what a quirky hot hatch! id love to aquire one of these! would be so much fun to drive one over here in the U.S!

[@Ruylopez778]

The moment I saw the thumbnail, I thought Chris should probably buy this for himself. And start a youtube channel about driving it.

[@Mctrippzy]

Great idea. Fingers crossed he did or does it’d be a right surprise!

[@Tom-lf8hx]

Love how chris nerds out about radio ahaha its just too good ❤👌

[@Pstaines439]

Loved this Chris!

[@evoermine]

These kind of videos are Harris at his best. No editing where it changes camera shot every two seconds like on Top Gear, just Chris talking proper geeky stuff whilst rinsing a car down a winding lane. I miss these vids.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

One of my dream cars!!

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Great video Chris everyone talks about the new cars and that is getting boring this old car stuff is good keep them coming 👏🏾👊🏾🥂

[@elgringodelapampa8723]

I was 12 when I saw first photos of this car in a car magazine in 1979 or 1980. That looked like the craziest car on the earth. Although the rally version was quickly overpowered by newer Group B it was so agile on tarmac in the hands of Mr Jean Ragnotti, it seems it was just dancing on the road.

[@nathandepasquale9571]

Great vid. Would absolutely love one.

[@jonnyxs892]

What a flash back! love it chris

[@georgekerr8804]

Chris Harris is the best. My favorite of his videos is his 2CV, here he is in another French car.

[@emayteetee73]

Agree. True passion for driving it too..

[@vanister83]

One of my favourite cars ever!

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Love CC. My e46M3 cabrio is going on there shortly. Bid early, bid often! Wish the vids of the meetings were longer than 50 seconds!

[@wightangel]

Great video as we have come to expect from a pro like Chris. Would love to see a video on the Renault 5 Gordini which came out in the 70's. If he teamed up with Auto Traders Rory, they could steal the Automobile review market on KZbin.

[@strictlygrey]

I would adore to work/talk with Chris Harris, I love his work

[@neillangdale829]

Nice bit of kit. 😎 Cheers Chris Nice vid

[@andrewmitchell6351]

My first car was a Renault 5 ..... 'L' ... 1975, complete with umbrella gearstick - a very direct gear change indeed. I'm pleased to note that it had some crossover parts with the Turbo 1 - those door keys in the shape of the Renault emblem!!!!🤣

[@AndySnap]

Chris Harris is one of just a handful of car reviewers/journalists anywhere in the media, whose opinions are definitive, especially on KZbin. And this is another of his wonderful videos (much better than that TV show...)

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

Except calling the Mazda MX5 a "Girl's car" and "not a real sports car" which is just mindless macho bollocks. Opinions may differ, yes, but that is just ridiculous...

[@jolness1]

Those jaeger gauges are so cool. Love that JLC kept car gauges as only jaeger branded, despite merging in the late 1930s.

[@lancelaprarie6128]

Absolutely gorgeous car. Love it

[@Ankur3108]

And I'm sure everyone here is also happy to see u in one of these videos Chris

[@dp2901]

Need more Chris Harris content!

[@JohnTallodi]

Great video, now I want one. The Bond car was a Turbo 2

[@killachief187]

My mate wrote his off back in 97. It was a mint little car.

[@henrik1743]

Always loved these, rarely see 305 GTI's nowadays as well

[@Snootyboss]

Gawd, I loved this car!