- Ahead of the 2027 opening of the new brand heritage showcase in Flins-sur-Seine, Renault and Artcurial Motorcars are organising a unique and exceptional auction
- This auction involves 100 iconic models from the Renault collection, spanning over a century of innovation and automotive passion
- All the models on sale exist in several examples in the Renault collection
- The auction will take place on 7 December in Flins-sur-Seine (near Paris), at Renault’s historic site and the future home of the brand’s collections
Renault owns an exceptional collection of historic vehicles, art works and archive documents, all of which will be brought together from 2027 in a new exhibition centre in Flins-sur-Seine, near Paris. This unique venue, open to all, will bring Renault’s heritage to life for the first time and allow the public to explore the brand’s 125-year history.
As part of this project to create a spectacular showcase grouping all its collections in one place, Renault is reorganising its collection of historic vehicles in order to keep 600 iconic and unique models built since 1898. The brand will be selling off a number of vehicles owned in several examples (two or three), while ensuring that it retains at least one of each model in its 125-year history.
Partners since 2022, Renault and Artcurial Motorcars are announcing a special event for collectors and for all those with a passion for the brand and for automotive history. This unique auction will take place on 7 December 2025 at the historic Flins-sur-Seine site, just 40 kilometres from Paris. Currently undergoing a complete transformation, this iconic site will provide a unique showcase from 2027 for all the collections making up Renault’s heritage, spanning over a century of innovation and automotive passion.
The sale will involve around one hundred historic cars, from among the more than 800 currently in the Renault collection, as well as a selection of around one hundred objects, including, models, drivers’ jumpsuits and miscellaneous items. More than 90% of the lots will be offered without reserve, giving enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire exceptional pieces.
“We are honoured by Renault’s confidence in us and excited to be organising an auction that will be remembered as a major event. We are offering collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to become a curator of this rich heritage.”
Pierre Novikoff, Vice-President Artcurial Motorcars
The 100 models making up the selection illustrate all the facets of the Renault adventure:
- THE BEGINNINGS: a step back in time with a Type D from 1901, which is still functional, or a rare bus from 1933. These vehicles demonstrate the ingenuity of Louis Renault. The collection workshops will also be presenting replicas of the Type A from 1898 in both ICE and electric versions, built by the collection team in a small number of examples for the brand’s centenary in 1998.
- MOTORSPORTS: an exceptional tribute to Formula 1 and the Turbo revolution. As the pioneer of turbocharged engines in Formula 1, Renault Sport made its mark in this discipline by taking up one of the boldest technological challenges in motorsports. As far back as 1977, the first turbocharged F1 vehicle – the celebrated RS01 – shook up the established order, paving the way for a decade of major innovations. After a difficult start, the perseverance of Jean-Pierre Jabouille, René Arnoux, Alain Prost and the entire Renault Sport team paid off in 1979, when Jean-Pierre Jabouille claimed the first victory for a turbocharged F1 car in Dijon, a historic turning point that would inspire all the other manufacturers.
The sale pays tribute to this legendary period with around twenty authentic racing cars from the Turbo years (1981-1985), from the RE27B to the RE60 01B, driven by some of the biggest names of the time: Arnoux, Jabouille, Tambay, Cheever and Prost. The legendary RE40, winner of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, embodies Renault’s success in this visionary decade.
Some of the F1 cars will be presented with their original technical notebooks, rare documents retracing the work of the engineers at Viry-Châtillon. Between 1977 and 1985, Renault competed in 123 Grands Prix, claiming 15 victories and 31 pole positions – a pioneering adventure whose bold vision continues to inspire the brand and the world of motorsports.
- Endurance: the iconic Alpine A442, symbol of the Le Mans 24-Hour event, will be presented in a chassis 0 version – the first in the lineage. Driven by the greatest drivers of the time, it made its mark at Imola and at the Nürburgring in 1975 and at Le Mans in 1977. Since then, it has remained in the Renault collection, and is present today in a livery close to that seen at the high-speed trials at the Columbus speed ring in November 1977.
- RALLYING: icons of this discipline, the Maxi Turbo 5 prototype B0 and the Renault 5 GT Turbo Bandama bring to mind Renault’s success in rallying. A vehicle of exceptional authenticity, it still carries traces of red earth from Bandama, a vibrant souvenir of the World Championship with Alain Oreille.
- Iconic classics: the sale also celebrates popular and iconic models from the 4CV to the R5 Police, the Floride “Disney” and the Clio Williams. Restored (in the case of the 4CV) or maintained in superb original condition (in the case of the Clio Williams), some of these cars will be offered with registration documents, a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history directly from the manufacturer.
- ALPINE: a number of Alpine models will also be featured, including the exceptional A610 Evolution, the most powerful model ever built, as well as the Alpine V6 Turbo and a mock-up of the A110.
Alongside these vehicles, the sale will also include around a hundred objects, reflecting the technological and human adventure of Renault. They include:
- Wind tunnel and design mock-ups: around forty wind tunnel, study and design mock-ups, often produced in just a few examples, illustrating the expertise of Renault. They include several iconic models: R4, R5, a pearlescent Supercinq, and an astonishing series of Twingos featuring different finishes. Among the design mock-ups are 1:5 scale concept cars, along with a few rare Formula 1 mock-ups.
- Legendary Formula 1 engines and other driver memorabilia: motorsports enthusiasts will be drawn by the selection of legendary Formula 1 engines, including an exceptional Renault Elf V6 Turbo EF15, complete with its crate for transport. This was the engine that powered the Lotus driven by Ayrton Senna at the Detroit Grand Prix and during qualifying at Adelaide in 1986. Also on sale are helmets, replica jumpsuits and Renault F1 promotional items, retracing Renault’s finest hours on the racetrack.
- Original and rare objects: Renault is also a brand of boundless creativity. The sale will include a range of surprising objects such as railcars, clocks, boats and prestige mock-ups. They include one of only three known examples of the ‘Reinastella’ flying saucer, produced in partnership with Eurodisney. Symbolising a bygone era, an agency mock-up of a Liberty Ship (circa 1957) for the export of Dauphine vehicles to the United States will also be on show, alongside a 1:20 scale mock-up of a panoramic railcar. Finally, a double-sided Bodet clock from the Flins-sur-Seine factory is a reminder of the golden age of this industrial site.
This unique sale is part of an approach that seeks to showcase the heritage of Renault, giving collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire an iconic model steeped in history. The cars were selected for their exceptional character and the unique history they represent.