My only hint- The car is located in the US (Los Angeles area).
The picture includes a very distinctive element, so I’m betting someone will get this. But I’m also betting many readers won’t have the slightest idea, so check back tomorrow for the answer.
Renault 5 Turbo 2
Renault 5 Turbo, the midengine one. Though I’m a bit surprised that it’s in the U.S.
They’re pretty rare in the UK, only ever seen 2.
Of course- I noted the location to provide a red herring.
Renault 5 turbo, there seems to be an echo in here.
Yep r5t2 for sure!!!!!
The spiritual ancestor of the Renault Clio V6.
Yes, R5. Not only because I can see the “R” from the Renault badge, but, having owned an R5, though not the turbo, I know those taillights and ventilation grill well.
Yes- The taillights were the “distinctive element” I referenced in the posting.
what the other guys say–renault 5 turbo
I want to make my own like this Lemons example part way down the page…
http://blog.caranddriver.com/these-are-the-most-amazing-lemons-race-cars-of-the-year-one-is-a-freaking-backhoe/
3 lugnut Le Car Abarth Edition
Le Car “Insanely Fast Edition”
Nah, it’s the “Ludicrous Speed” edition!
So that’s what ‘LS’ stands for!
For some reason the taillights looks like an 80’s model Toyota Tercel SR5 wagon
Located in the US doesn’t really give much hint, considering 25+yo car can be imported with minimum restrictions. Examples include FSO Polonez in Troy, Mi, or a CL seller taking photos of a Trabant with a stop sign behind near an airport with an American Airline plane in the sky. The list can go on and on.
Renault Race Car (Renault 5 Alpine???)
R5 taillights are so distinctive! We had one in the 80’s and I remember that they didn’t have reverse lights! (I’m quite sure the US or European versions had, but not here!). My father had to install reverse lights and an extra switch to pass inspection. Sounds weird today…. Good (and bad) memories with that car…
Going with the R5T2 as well. Used to see one in Wisconsin of all places, with the vanity plate “U CANT” (get one? keep up?).
There was an importer called Sun International in the LA area that imported and Federalized these Renault 5 Turbo 2s in the 80’s. I think they also imported the Euro Ford Escort Cosworth as well.
There was one of these (R5 Turbos) the other day at the Southwest Scuderia’s ” First Saturday” in the Gainey Ranch area of Scottsdale, AZ. It was driven to the event as was the Ferrari Enzo and the Porsche 918. Perhaps a bit “hoidy toidy” for CC, but there are always a few vehicles at this monthly event which might be profiled here.
I’ll call it a Renault R5 Turbo 2 since the taillights are a close match to all the R5 Turbo 2 pictures on the net and the early R5 Turbo is hyper rare.
Renault 5 Turbo 2
I wish the “R” were completely cropped out in the clue.
I believe Jay Leno has one.
Renault 5 Turbo.
So, was that actually a quiz, or just checking if anyone was awake?
KJ in Oz – where an R5 Turbo lives quite locally.
Yea it is looking like a rear engined Le Car.
C’est un grand mystère…
It might be very rare, but the clue is too generous. You should’ve omitted the taillight lenses–they’re extremely distinctive and a dead giveaway. The original R5 is one of the most well aged designs of the early ’70s and those lenses are recognizable on every continent.
2014 Dacia Sandero in left-hand drive.
That rare? Weren’t there around 4,000 Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 cars built?
Indeed a Renault 5 Turbo.
I concur with some of the comments claiming this was rather easy to guess. The 5 Turbo might be rare in absolute terms, but by now it’s icon status has been established so it’s quite well-known.
Also, it has very distinctive features so one must be careful what to reveal as clue.
I worked on one of these back in the day. Renault R5 turbo. I am still wanting to have one! That thing was incredibly quick, as the owner had upgraded the turbo, and had gone through the engine. Pretty stout car from it’s humble beginnings.
R5 Turbo. We used to call it on this part of Europe as “the rolling coffin”. Too small, too fast, too powerful for its very small sizes. Even some my Renault fan friends and relatives has avoided to get one of these because everybody thought that it was far too dangerous as a daily driver. Some of them bought R4 the limited Rally variant, some others decided to buy regular R5, etc.
Renault LeCar