Vehicle details
- Make
- Renault
- Model
- GT
- Year
- 1987
- Mileage
- 107,000 miles
- Engine
- 1.4
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drive Type
- 2WD
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Body Style
- Hatchback
- Colour
- Blue
- MOT Expiry
- April 2027
THE LISTING
About this vehicle
1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo Phase 1A superb opportunity to own an increasingly rare and genuine Phase 1 Renault 5 GT Turbo, finished in stunning factory Bleu Lumière (Electric Blue – paint code 495) with the iconic contrasting grey body kit, red detailing, yellow fog lights and correct Phase 1 alloy wheels.
First registered in May 1987, this is a proper late Phase 1 example with approximately 107,000 miles showing. Current MOT April 2027.
The Phase 1 is undoubtedly the rarer version and increasingly sought after by enthusiasts, with genuine examples becoming very difficult to find. Once a familiar sight on British roads, current DVLA-derived figures show just 231 Renault 5 GT Turbos currently licensed for UK roads across ALL versions. The owners club are reporting less than 10 Phase 1’s now remain licensed!
Condition
This largely unmolested example presents well overall. The Bleu Lumière paintwork retains a lovely deep shine, the glass is lovely and clear, the exterior plastics are quite in good order and the decals present beautifully.
For complete transparency, this is not a concours brand new, or a freshly restored car, but rather a very tidy, period-correct enthusiast’s example that can be driven and enjoyed.
As you’d expect with a car of this age, there are a handful of minor age-related imperfections. I maybe going too far here but, these include two small areas of paint bubbling, one to the bonnet lip and another just above the windscreen - also a small mark to the rear bumper where items have previously been loaded into the boot. And a very light scuff on the o/s front bumper.
The driver’s door lock also occasionally sticks and would benefit from fettling.
None of this detracts from what is a presentable 1980’s Phase 1.
Exceptional Interior
The interior is a real highlight.
The front seats, desirable grey carpets, dashboard and headlining are all tidy, with the driver’s seat showing virtually zero wear. The parcel shelf is complete and uncut, while a Sony Bluetooth stereo has been fitted for everyday usability. The orange dials are very orange/as new.
Again, for complete transparency, there is literally a tiny approximately 1mm nick to the rear seat bench, together with a few small marks to the rear seat back which can be seen when it’s opened for access to the boot. It’s not concourse but is very presentable.
The leatherette armrests on the door cards have a very slight amount of age-related sagging, but nothing excessive and, importantly, no holes or significant wear to them. It isn’t something that immediately draws your eye just mentioning.
The cabin and boot are both clean and well presented, and the standard jack, wheel brace and original storage bag remain with the car.
Further desirable period features include the sunroof and yellow fog lights.
Extensive Recent Mechanical Work
This isn’t simply a smart-looking GT Turbo. A considerable amount of mechanical maintenance and preventative work has been carried out, making it a car that can actually be driven and enjoyed.
Engine, Fuel & Electrical
The carburettor has recently been rebuilt by Mark Branson, while the original Garrett T2 turbocharger has been professionally refurbished by Midland Turbo.
The engine itself visually appears to have previously undergone a substantial rebuild/refurbishment, with the block particularly nicely presented and painted blue to complement the car’s Bleu Lumière bodywork. However, in the interests of complete transparency, paperwork documenting the full engine rebuild is not present in the history file, so this is not being advertised as a documented engine rebuild. However is clearly been apart and painted up.
What is supported though is the cylinder-head work, including the pressure-tested head, head kit and replacement gaskets in recent times.
Further work documented includes:
* Malpassi fuel pressure regulator and pump* New fuel lines* New alternator* Recent battery, remaining under warranty subject to the original terms* New clutch kit* New clutch cable* Brand-new old-stock original battery tray* Brand-new distributor cap and rotor arm* Head kit, pressure-tested head and replacement gaskets* Sump plug* Brand-new wheel bolts
The most recent engine service was carried out on 7 March 2026, including TotalEnergies Quartz 10W-50 engine oil, a new oil filter and NGK B8EG spark plugs.
Cooling System
The cooling system has been comprehensively refreshed with:
* Brand-new radiator* New water pump* New thermostat* New cooling-fan switch* Fresh antifreeze/coolant
Important preventative maintenance on a GT Turbo and another indication that money has been spent in the right places.
Brakes, Steering & Running Gear
The rear braking system has been comprehensively refreshed, including replacement:
* Rear calipers* Rear discs* Brake pads* Brake lines* Wheel bearings* Handbrake cables* Brand-new rear brake compensator valve
Further running-gear work includes track rods and steering-rack gaiter, replacement struts and springs, brake lines and damper/shock absorber work.
Wheels, Tyres & Exhaust
The correct Phase 1 alloy wheels have been professionally refurbished and present beautifully.
They’re fitted with period-correct Avon CR27 tyres in 195/55 R13, giving the car exactly the right stance and period appearance.
A stainless-steel Powerflow rear-exit performance exhaust has also been fitted, along with new exhaust rubbers.
The exhaust manifold has also received brand-new heat wrap.
It gives the car a purposeful note without looking or sounding out of place on an otherwise period-looking Phase 1. Great burble sound on tickover.
On the Road
It a dream… Ultimate Nostalgia!!
It starts, runs and drives lovely, pulls as it should and sounds fantastic through the stainless Powerflow exhaust.
Everything feels as it should, with nothing untoward and no known mechanical problems to report.
The next change I would do is fit wire up a fan switch so you have full control when sitting in traffic, such as on hot days.
Having recently covered over 150 miles without issue, it inspires confidence and feels like a GT Turbo that’s ready to be driven and enjoyed rather than one that needs recommissioning after years sitting in a collection.
And that really is the appeal of this particular car.
It’s a proper lightweight, carburettor-fed, Garrett T2 turbocharged 1980s hot hatch, with that unmistakable turbocharged delivery and character that made the Renault 5 GT Turbo such a legend.
History & Documentation
The car comes with a large and well-organised history file, including the original owner’s booklet pack, numerous previous MOT records and a substantial collection of supporting invoices and receipts, retained together in the accompanying wallet/book.
For complete transparency, the vehicle is recorded as Category D following a historic rear-end bump over 20 years ago and was repaired prior to the current ownership.
The Important Bit
As mentioned above, this isn’t being presented as a concours museum piece or a brand-new restoration, nor are we trying to hide the handful of minor age-related imperfections. The professional photos do make it look amazing. If you would like some send of it out in the wild using a standard iPhone camera please let us know.
What it is, is an honest, presentable, period-correct enthusiast’s Phase 1 GT Turbo that can actually be used and enjoyed.
Finished in fabulous factory Bleu Lumière Electric Blue, it retains the period details enthusiasts want while benefiting from substantial mechanical expenditure.
With genuine Phase 1 cars becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly examples retaining their proper early specification and character, this represents an opportunity to own one of the defining performance cars of the era.
With very little weight to carry and that unmistakable turbocharged delivery, it’s still a seriously quick and exciting little car — exactly why the GT Turbo earned its reputation as one of the wildest hot hatches of the 1980s and 1990s.
The car has been priced sensibly and accordingly, taking into account its condition, history and advice and feedback from knowledgeable co-members of the Owners group.
Rare, iconic and unmistakably the daddy of hot hatches — the original, the Phase 1 R5 GTT!
Serious enquiries and viewing welcome.
Advertised until full payment is received.
Thanks for looking!
Vehicle specification
- Make: Renault
- Model: GT
- Year: 1987
- Mileage: 107000
- Engine: 1.4
- Transmission: Manual
- Drive Type: 2WD
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Body Style: Hatchback
- Colour: Blue
- MOT Expiry: April 2027
Important information
This vehicle is advertised by an independent eBay seller. The information shown has been taken from the seller's listing. Please review the original eBay advert for the complete description, condition, history, photographs and terms of sale before purchasing.