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In a landmark event that celebrates more than a century of innovation and passion, Renault is set to auction 100 of its most iconic vehicles from the brand’s historic collection. The sale, organised in partnership with Artcurial Motorcars, will take place on 7 December 2025 at the Flins-sur-Seine site, just outside Paris. This historic location will soon become the new home of Renault’s heritage collection, opening to the public in 2027.
A Celebration of Renault’s 125-Year Legacy
For 125 years, Renault has been a symbol of French creativity, engineering excellence, and design innovation. The brand’s collection of over 800 historic vehicles, artworks, and archive documents tells the story of automotive progress from the early 1900s to the modern day.
As Renault prepares to open its brand-new heritage centre in Flins-sur-Seine, it is refining its collection to include 600 of its most important and unique models. The vehicles being offered at auction are those held in multiple examples, ensuring that Renault retains at least one of each model in its permanent archive.
According to Pierre Novikoff, Vice-President of Artcurial Motorcars, “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.”
Once in a Lifetime Auction
The sale will feature around one hundred classic cars and a hundred collectible objects, including scale models, racing memorabilia, and rare artefacts from Renault’s long and diverse history. Impressively, over 90 percent of the lots will be offered without reserve, giving enthusiasts a rare opportunity to own a piece of automotive history directly from the manufacturer.
Highlights from the Collection
The Early Years
The auction will take visitors back to the origins of the Renault story with extraordinary examples such as a Type D from 1901, still fully functional, and a 1933 bus, both testaments to the early genius of Louis Renault. Replicas of the 1898 Type A, built in limited numbers for Renault’s centenary, will also be presented, showing how the brand continues to honour its roots while embracing innovation.
Motorsport Glory
Renault’s motorsport legacy takes centre stage with a collection that celebrates its pioneering role in Formula 1 and endurance racing. Among the highlights are twenty genuine Formula 1 cars from the famous Turbo era of 1981 to 1985, including the RE40, winner of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. These machines were driven by legends such as Jean-Pierre Jabouille, René Arnoux, Patrick Tambay, Eddie Cheever, and Alain Prost.
Some of these historic F1 cars will even come with their original engineering notebooks, offering a fascinating glimpse into Renault’s technical innovation at the time. Between 1977 and 1985, Renault competed in 123 Grands Prix, earning 15 victories and 31 pole positions, an incredible achievement that changed the face of Formula 1.
Endurance and Rallying Icons
Endurance racing fans will appreciate the inclusion of the Alpine A442 chassis 0, the first in the line that led to Renault’s legendary success at Le Mans. This car took part in major races at Imola, the Nürburgring, and Le Mans, and remains a defining symbol of Renault’s racing spirit.
Rally enthusiasts will also recognise the Maxi Turbo 5 prototype B0 and the Renault 5 GT Turbo Bandama, authentic rally heroes that still bear the marks of competition. These vehicles reflect Renault’s passion for motorsport and its long tradition of building race-winning cars.
Everyday Legends
The sale will not only feature race cars but also beloved models that defined generations of drivers. From the 4CV and R5 Police car to the Floride “Disney” and the Clio Williams, these vehicles are cherished icons of everyday French motoring. Some have been beautifully restored, while others remain in their original condition, making them even more desirable to collectors.
The Alpine Spirit
The Alpine name will also be represented with models such as the A610 Evolution, Alpine V6 Turbo, and an A110 mock-up, each highlighting Alpine’s long-standing commitment to performance and design excellence.
More Than Cars: A Glimpse Into Renault’s Creative World
While the spotlight will certainly shine on the rare and historic cars up for auction, Renault’s story extends far beyond the vehicles themselves. The sale will also feature an extraordinary collection of artefacts, prototypes, and memorabilia that bring to life the creative and technical spirit that has defined the brand for over a century.
Among these treasures are wind tunnel and design mock-ups that reveal the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship of Renault’s designers and engineers. Created in extremely limited numbers, these models were essential tools in shaping the aerodynamic form and character of some of Renault’s most iconic cars. Highlights include mock-ups of the Renault 4 and Renault 5, a pearlescent Supercinq, and a fascinating series of Twingo prototypes showing the car’s colourful evolution through the decades. Each piece tells its own story of experimentation, innovation, and French flair.
Collectors and motorsport fans alike will be drawn to the legendary Formula 1 engines and driver memorabilia also going under the hammer. Chief among them is the Renault Elf V6 Turbo EF15, a remarkable piece of engineering history that once powered the Lotus driven by Ayrton Senna at the Detroit Grand Prix and during qualifying at Adelaide in 1986. The sale will also include helmets, replica jumpsuits, and promotional items from Renault’s F1 past, tangible reminders of the brand’s pioneering spirit and dominance on the world’s racing circuits.
But Renault’s creative reach has always gone beyond the racetrack. The auction will include a range of rare and unexpected objects that highlight the company’s inventive side. From railcars and boats to clocks and futuristic design studies, these pieces capture Renault’s boundless curiosity and willingness to explore new frontiers. Among the most unusual items is the ‘Reinastella’ flying saucer, one of only three ever made in partnership with Eurodisney, a whimsical symbol of an era when Renault’s imagination knew no limits.
Preserving Heritage, Inspiring the Future
This auction represents far more than a sale of classic cars and collectibles; it is a celebration of Renault’s enduring legacy and a bold step toward its future. Each vehicle and object embodies the brand’s pioneering spirit, its commitment to innovation, and its deep connection to French culture and craftsmanship.
By sharing these extraordinary pieces with the public, Renault is opening a new chapter in its history, one that invites enthusiasts, collectors, and everyday admirers to take part in preserving the brand’s soul. Owning one of these items means becoming a curator of Renault’s story, helping to keep alive the legacy of creativity, performance, and passion that has defined the marque since 1898.
As the Flins-sur-Seine site prepares to become the permanent home of Renault’s heritage collection in 2027, this event offers a glimpse of what’s to come: a vibrant, immersive space where history and innovation meet. It will be a place where visitors can experience Renault’s 125-year journey first-hand, from its earliest experiments in mobility to its vision for a more sustainable, electrified future.
In many ways, this auction is both a tribute to Renault’s past and a promise for what lies ahead: a brand forever in motion, driven by creativity, passion, and the desire to inspire generations to come.