Updated: 19th July 2007 14:31 GMT

Scale 1/24 Kit Manufacturer Tamiya Grade-up Parts Studio 27 Acu-Stion Scale Motorsport Year 1981 Driver Jean Ragnotti (France) Event Monte Carlo Rally

This car was given its debut in the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally and was driven by Frenchman Jean Ragnotti in the original Renault yellow, black & white colour scheme, the car won the event and Ragnotti achieved his first of only 3 WRC victories. The Renault appeared at a 'Golden Era' of rallying and would be competing against the likes of young Fin Henri Toivenen in a Talbot Sunbeam, Hannu Mikkola & Michelle Mouton in the all new 4WD Audi Quattros, Ari Vatanen in the Privateer Rothmans Ford Escort MkII and other manufacturers including Opel Ascona, Fiat Arbarth, Datsun 160J & a big budget entry from Mercedes with the 450SL which proved to be a big disappointment.

The Renault 5 was powered by a 1397cc straight 4 cylinder OHV engine with a Gallet T3 single Turbo system giving a power output of around 250hp, transmission was a 5 speed unit derived from the Renault 30TX, Aluminium paneling was used instead of the heavy fiberglass which kept weight to around 900kg. In total the Renault 5 won 3 WRC events, its replacement, the Renault 5 Turbo Maxi winning one more. Further victories may have followed however the FIA ban of group B cars 1986 put an end to the Renault 5's participation in rallying.

The original Tamiya kit is a curbside version however I decided to open both the bonnet and rear hatch to reveal a fully detailed engine in the rear and ancilliary components such as radiator, battery, coolants etc are under the bonnet. A trip to the Festival of Speed last year gave me the idea for this project and I managed to get a considerable number of reference pictures of the actual vehicle on the Renault motorsport stand. Upgrade items from Studio 27 & Acu-stion and further items from Scale Motorsport as well as numerous scratch built parts were used to enhance the detail of the model.

Details added:

• Replaced plastic parts/decals with photo-etch as follows;
  Windscreen Wipers
  Mirror (internal and external) lenses
  Spotlight brackets
  Seatbelts
• Added photo-etch & decals as follows;
  Spotlight support brackets
  Driver Pedals & footrest
  Co-driver footrest
  Rear number plate
  Bonnet Rally plate & number
  Bonnet Air intake grill
  Side air intake grills
  Bonnet catches
  Rivets on front and rear bumpers
  Rivets in front fog / side / indicator lights
• Scratch built add ons;
  Apart from main engine block, air intake manifold and large black air intake all engine ancilliary components were scratch built or adapted from spare parts
  Cables for spotlights
  Instruments and switches on centre console
  Hose clamps
  Plug leads
  Coolant hose
  Tyre valves and wheel balancing items
  Spare wheel and harness

Progress & Completed pics