Renault takes Ferrari-style approach to preserving classic cars

Renault will increase its support for owners of classic cars by expanding its service for older vehicles – dubbed ‘The Originals’. 

Since 2022, The Originals has offered owners of historic Renaults a Ferrari Classiche-style certification. This details the car’s original production date and part numbers.

Now, Renault is moving into certifying service centres, allowing owners to have their classic car maintained by specialist mechanics. 

From a current network of eight ‘The Originals Renault Garage’ sites, the company will boost this to 25 locations in France by the end of 2025. Networks of garages in other countries will follow in the coming years.

Expert garage services available

Renault’s classic-certified garages will cover 80 percent of France, meaning the majority of French enthusiasts can find an expert within 60 miles of their home.

The Originals Renault Garages have been selected for their notable experience in dealing with classic cars. 

Examples include Arnaud Ventoux Pièces, which specialises in sports cars, and ASCI Sellerie, which has a particular focus on upholstery work.

Some 50 repair manuals for historic Renaults are now available online. The Originals website also hosts a series of educational videos to help DIY mechanics.

From manuals to models

Renault has invested heavily in The Originals programme, offering a range of products and services, which are primarily aimed at French enthusiasts for now.

These include supplying hard-to-find spare parts for historic models, along with a host of accessories and merchandise. For example, spending €4,200 (around £3,500) could see you the proud owner of a Renault 5-themed table football game. 

A 1:18 scale model of the iconic Renault Clio Williams, meanwhile, is a slightly more palatable €65 (£54). 

At its most ambitious, The Originals service can offer a manufacturer-approved electric restomod conversions, aimed primarily at the Renault 4 and Renault 5.

Preserving Renault’s heritage

Customer satisfaction and brand loyalty are part of the motivation for Renault’s expansion of coverage for its classic models. However, the company is also thinking about its historic legacy. 

Arnaud Belloni, Renault CMO and chief branding officer, explained: “We are deploying new services developed specifically for enthusiasts and collectors of classic Renault vehicles, allowing them to service, restore and maintain their automotive treasures. 

“It’s a way of protecting our shared automotive heritage, so that we can pass it on to future generations.”

ALSO READ:

1980 Renault 4 GTL review: Retro Road Test

1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo review: Retro Road Test

The fabulous yet forgotten Renault 16