Valuation: Last Ever Brand new RHD 5GTturbo shell

[Sam Fish]

This isnt actually for sale. But an idea of value could persuade the owner to let it go. Please no Dibs at this stage. An idea of value would be very helpful.

This was the last ever right hand drive shell bought from renault. It was a spare during the racing years.

It must now be the last in the world? Renault certainly dont have one.
Has never been assembled, and is still in factory white with bits of parcel tape. Dry stored from new with a couple of small storage marks.
What do you think its worth???
Sam

[Sparkie]

assuming you can get a good second hand shell for between £300 - £500, then i would assume a brand new shell sould be worth about £1000 ??? (this is assuming that 2nd hand stuff is worth approximately 50% of new stuff)

[Bigfoot]

But im guessing the sheel is not going to include doors, glass, wiring, any interior, etc, so im going to say not that much more than £500 and somebody is only willing to spend that much if they want all the hassle of putting everything in place from another car.

[Sam Fish]

It would be a strart-from-scratch project. But thats how some poeple want to do it (we built a Raider from a bare shell recently, almost all new parts) Its the most solid base to a project available. It would always be easier to use an old donor shell. Depends how far you want to take the rebuild...
There will always be somebody wanting to build from a bare shell. I hope

[Andrew Cooke]

should I be in need of one, or had the space to store it properly I wouldn't be too worried spending Sparkies 1k, beyond that, it would depend....

[gtmatt]

Depends what some 1 would pay at the end of the day ,it's the rareness that will bump it up

[Gttnutter]

I would like to see all new clips,looms,brackets etc if i were to build up a brand new unused shell.

I'd guess around the same value if a little less than what sparkie quoted.

[michael tierney]

i'd say it would have to be a bit more than the origional price from renault!i thought they were about 2-3grand!?

[Ian S]

I seem to recall Mark offering it to me for about £800 maybe 5 years ago.

I was very tempted for a while but it seemed like too much work and expense to start from such a bare base when a populated good shell was less.

I then bought an F reg Grey 5GTT with no accidents but rusted sills and dropped doors for about £200 so I thought I'd use that, but instead I sold it and acquired for free a better condition E reg campus with no rust or accidents so I though I'd start with that instead.

I also thought that such a pristine new shell would probably soon end up a bit old with the brutal hard use I'd be giving it (as a daily driver!) and for posterity it would be better in the hands of a collector who wanted to keep it in a bubble.

[Sam Fish]

The shell is still here, waiting for a decision from the owner.
I took a couple of pictures today. PITCH black, and massive spiders and webs everywhere!

Some slight surface rust.... most is actually from metal dust that is going rusty ontop of the paint.

The last unused shell in the world?

[Lewis]

Depending on the price Sam I'm still interested. Has the owner given permission to sell now, I think you mentioned he was in Spain last time we spoke?

I'd be interested in converting it to LHD if the necessary parts were available.

Lewis

[Sam Fish]

Hey Lewis.
He was in touch, and wanted everything shipped. But not heard since. I imagine it will stay in the UK and he will let us sell it... as a guess.

It wont be for sale anytime soon though unfortunately.
It would be good to get it out, steam clean and waxoyl whilst stored.

[r5_scotty]

I would happily pay a grand all day long

[car.crash]

I would like to think closer to 2k for that shell. No one wants a complete car but they wil pay through the nose for parts.

[markg]

Had this been available when I started my rebuild i would have happily paid over a grand for it. Mines had getting on for that sort of money in welding and prep. Could this be registered for road use or is it track only ?. That to me would effect the price somewhat.

[car.crash]

Out of interest do car manufactures still do this. Could you buy a new megane shell for instance?

[markg]

I would like to think closer to 2k for that shell. No one wants a complete car but they wil pay through the nose for parts.

I would agree that's the figure I had in my head.

[BILLY-R5GTT]

Has it ever been registered? Does it have to be a re-shell or would it be a 61 reg?

[BILLY-R5GTT]

I only know of only one other bare shell as good as this I have seen in person, it was built and taken apart a short time after and is now in storage.

[Tony Walker]

id of thought 2k? Its difficult to imagine a shell with absolutely no rust...... regardless of how imaculate your car is or how far you've ground and cleaned bits there will still be rust somewhere. inside the chassis legs and areas like that.

[m5tt]

Iirc , a Few years back, those who were interested in Southend meets, there was an S reg series 2 new shell registered anyone remember?. I heard that was picking up some serious £££ interest ... 'Ruhmer has it' .. Anyways if it it possible to purchase said shell and register it as a new vehicle ... 62/63 plate r5 ... Would be some thing to see!. I thought an un registered r5 would be worth a a bit? Bragging rights aswell lol!.

Sam I remember the raider.. I saw a lot of its progress, stunning example of restoration! Credit to your dad and those envolved! I came down to yours the other month, I was having a mooch around the leccy blue in the stinging nettles and the graphite grey.. Do you think either is salvageable? .

[alex barker]

Iirc , a Few years back, those who were interested in Southend meets, there was an S reg series 2 new shell registered anyone remember?. I heard that was picking up some serious £££ interest ... 'Ruhmer has it' ..

If that's the s reg red 88spec series 2 rs turbo I'm looking at it as we speak lol. Long story short it was "exported" to jersy at new and on its return in 1998 it was registered on an s plate. Was the only of its kind as it was actually a mistake by the dvla. The only serious interest his ever really got is the police. But it comes back as built in 1988 but first registers 1998 lol. He got bored in the end and wrote to the dvla and they changed it back to an e plate and admitted it was there fault and should never have been legal :-/

[markg]

Out of interest do car manufactures still do this. Could you buy a new megane shell for instance?

They are certainly listed in Dialogsys so I don't see why not. As an example I looked up a shell for a Clio V6. Whether they have any is quite possibly another story....

[Kris M]

The shell will have a VIN number wich relates to the year of manufacture. The DVLA would give the car an age related plate depending on which year the shell was made, and whoevers name is on the logbook would be the first owner. The date of first registration would be 2012 aswell

[m5tt]

If that's the s reg red 88spec series 2 rs turbo I'm looking at it as we speak lol. Long story short it was "exported" to jersy at new and on its return in 1998 it was registered on an s plate. Was the only of its kind as it was actually a mistake by the dvla. The only serious interest his ever really got is the police. But it comes back as built in 1988 but first registers 1998 lol. He got bored in the end and wrote to the dvla and they changed it back to an e plate and admitted it was there fault and should never have been legal :-/

Lol! Yep that's the one ! I've only ever seen it once! Looked clean when i last saw it was about 4 years ago! Was shocked to see it, I know in the ford scene in registered shells are worth a lot , at least some one here knows of it lol not many people I've told believed me !

[lee1707]

This sounds like an amazing opertunity but i would do some research first. I recently looked at an escort cosworth shell that had never had an ID and had never been registered, this was complete with an original receipt from ford.
After speaking with the dvla and the local dvla test centre, they informed me that it could only be registered as a Q plate unless i could still buy original major components, i.e. engine drive train etc from ford a simple re-shell would not allow me to get an age related plate or keep my registration number, something to do with a % scoring.
I also spoke with a restoration company in scotland with regards to re-shelling a car i had looked at and they that informed me that they could transfer the panels from my old shell with the ID's but highlighted this is ilegal but very common with classic cars restorations to allow a V5 and age related plate along with History to follow on!

[Sam Fish]

Thanks Matt, The raider was lovely!
I was looking at those 'scrap' shells recently. I think they are a bit far gone to be honest!

I think, as lee says, the major components need to be NEW too.
You need to be able to prove that a certain percentage (I think it is 90+) is brand new, with receipts for it to be registered as a '62 plate... so I was told.

The shell is totally unstamped, but Renault would stamp it and you could get an age related plate, as already mentioned.
Or stamp it with whatever you want and put a Q plate on it.

It would be great project. Although building from a totally bare shell would take so much work I imagine!

[Sam Fish]

Yeah, pretty sure you can get any shell from a manufacturer.
We ordered a BMW mini shell a few years back to reshell a race car, they are surprisingly cheap.
We also ordered a brand new Clio V6 Trophy shell once, for a reshell. With the tubbed arches and roll cage pre-fitted in Dieppe - that was amazing. I can't believe we don't have any pictures!

[Sparkie]

i see the windscreen surround is starting to go already.

[r5_scotty]

i see the windscreen surround is starting to go already.

i still want it lol

[Penfold aka The Dealer]

i still want it lol

Really???

I can understand the appeal of a new shell, but it's still ALOT or work to get on the road..... The whole shell would need sanding, fully prepped, your going to paint underneath, inside, and the outside....

Then your going to want to fit new doors, bonnet and as much new body kit as possible so then you can say the whole shell is brand new....

Let alone fit all wiring, ductings for heating, sorting all the cables out, refitting everything... Will it all ever fit 100% as they come from factory.....

A lot of work for bragging rights....

[r5_scotty]

[quote=m5tt;300814]Iirc , a Few years back, those who were interested in Southend meets, there was an S reg series 2 new shell registered anyone remember?.

i remember looking at that series 2 in a show room for £3000 i very nearly brought it! but got a mk2 golf gti in the end. the fella who now owns it lives round the corner from me.still looks in great shape.he uses it everyday to get to work and always looks clean.

[r5_scotty]

Really???

I can understand the appeal of a new shell, but it's still ALOT or work to get on the road..... The whole shell would need sanding, fully prepped, your going to paint underneath, inside, and the outside....

Then your going to want to fit new doors, bonnet and as much new body kit as possible so then you can say the whole shell is brand new....

Let alone fit all wiring, ductings for heating, sorting all the cables out, refitting everything... Will it all ever fit 100% as they come from factory.....

A lot of work for bragging rights....

it would be amazing to do this!!! i would use my blue five as a donor five as it has lots of new parts. it would be a great adventure! plus it would be mint in the end

[Sam Fish]

The only other way to get a shell this solid (and be sure it is solid) is to get it dipped and E-coated, which is pushing £1500 I think....

I agree, it would be a massive amount of work though. But the same as a dipped shell....

[Penfold aka The Dealer]

The only other way to get a shell this solid (and be sure it is solid) is to get it dipped and E-coated, which is pushing £1500 I think....

I agree, it would be a massive amount of work though. But the same as a dipped shell....

Dont get me wrong Sam, I am not knocking your or the shell.... just struggle to see the point or believe that people would actually do this.... If it was me I would be frightened to use the car after....

Btw I wouldnt bother selling the shell for less than £2500.... held onto it for so long, why sell it for £1000... I doubt the owner needs the Cash that much.... unless your charging him a fortune for storage...

[gttjames]

If you where doing a complete strip and oe rebuild on a car then this would be an ideal place to start. Buy a rotten one cheapish, instead of paying for all new sills/floor pan/bumpermounts/jacking points etc just take any good bits you can off rotten donor car. Wirring, grommets, brackets etc, anything not good enough source better or buy new. If someone had the heart and time to do it all would be a lovely finished project.

[Renault 5 GT Turbo]

I'm really surprised everyone is balking at the prospect of building up this shell when we regularly see mega restoration projects that require massive remedial work to the existing shell (fabrication of windscreen surround areas, sills, jacking points, bumper mounts, boot floor etc).

I have limited capability compared to many on here yet I have stripped a shell before (Uno Turbo reshell) and transferred every single plastic grommet, seal, wiring loom, sub frame mount etc.

Perhaps I'm missing something but check out the white GT that is being restored on here at the moment and Gimme5's black GT.

[Markey Mark (BD)]

I'd be jumping at the chance to buy a new shell and reshell mine if i had the money

As its a bare shell is so much easier to have it treated and painted properly so it then doesn't suffer with the usual rot spots and could last even longer

I can understand that a shell build up isn't that easy for some but most people end up stripping there car down to a bare bone they end up doing it anyway.

[Sam Fish]

Hey Penfold, I know I know, I wasn't taking it the wrong way. I totally agree with you too, it would be a huge amount of work to build a bare shell to an OE standard, all the clips and resulting squeaks from the dashboard. Ha.

But then, for some people it would be the perfect base I suppose. I would love to have a go at it.

One thing is for sure, whoever ends up with it would have to put up with others saying they "paid too much for a shell" and; "it is no better than my unrestored GT turbo" etc etc. I guess that comes with the territory, and they could be right....

Who knows what will happen to it. It does not belong to us at the moment.
I'll leave it to my Dad and the owner.

Thought I would raise the discussion again and share the pictures

[olidaviesuk]

Sam, its awesome that you've still got this, I think that hanging on to this for a few more years is a must, the price can only go up. I know what's involved in stripping a car back to a bare shell, dipping etc, when building a racecar or doing a concourse restoration... Give it a few years and you'll be selling for £4k and whoever buys it will be getting a steal!

[Gttnutter]

Treat/Protect it better from the up and coming rust if its going to stay where it is for the near future.

[StuHERTS]

If i won the lottery, id outbid everyone..
Question is, are there any lottery winning R5 lovers?
You'd need an R5 purchase price algorithm to work this one out..
£500-£1000+

[r5_scotty]

got a pal down at renault who has worked there 20 odd years, i asked him about the shell and if theres any records of the original sale of the shell or other shells. he said his never sold or had anyone ever ask about buying a five shell. he said when something like this happens its usually special order and alot of paperwork/forms.so its an odd item.

i asked about regestering the shell and he said it could be done but doesnt think it will be easy. hopefully with the right people and help it can be done. i dunno??

he also said the last shell he could find documented was originally in ipswich??

i have no idea if this is that shell but i was just asking around and this is all i got.

o and he told me when he was younger he had a 5 gt and when he first started working at renault they had a phase 1 gt come in which had running issues. renault let the staff help themselves to the parts off it befor they got rid of it!!! unbelivable a!!! could you imagen that now!! he said it was as new!!!!

[THE MASTER]

im wondering if this is a true gtt shell or just a 5 shell

[r5_scotty]

i would say gtt. holes in the wings. could do with seeing the sills to see if they have the lugs in place for the skirts. which would have been fitted from new out the factory

[Kris M]

yup, its a GTT shell, can tell by the rear 1/4`s

If it has a chassis number which it will have, its a doddle to register it on an age related plate. Ive done it

[Sam Fish]

Yeah, it is an odd item to order. No chassis number at all unfortunately.
It was ordered as a pair. The other was built into this (reshell):







It raced a handful of times, and is still here. As you can see by the dates, the new Clio Cup was just about to start, so this was sidelined a bit. It must be the cleanest Cup car around.

[r5_scotty]

Looks stunning!!! I rekon the other bare shell will only be good for a reshell then. As it has no chassis number.anyone know if it could be restamped?? I still want it lol be great to build a near new five.

[Sparkie]

i once rebuilt a raider that my mate bought from a scrap yard. - complete with engine and ancilliaries in the boot. - the usual VF1 number on the shock turret said SA*** instead - i think i read up about it and it denoted that it was a reshell at some point....