Newsletter # 8 20May 2010

RENAULT Sport & A lpine EXPO

Brisbane – 9 July to 25 July 2010
What’s it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering what
the RSAE is all about, please read page 6.
Something New – New Kangoo

Something Old - Renault Celtaquatre

 Renault Celtaquatre: The Celtaquatre production line came into full swing in spring 1934. This was
the first Renault to succumb to the demands of modern streamlined styling. The curvy coachwork
marked such a radical departure from the angular lines of previous models that it was nicknamed the
"Celtaball". Presented in April 1934, the new Celtaquatre was designed to carry four people while
meeting high standards in economy and safety. Contemporary advertising presented the Celtaquatre
as “the Vivasport of small cars”. This small 9 hp car was Renault’s new entry-level model. It took up its
place alongside the Monaquatre, whose engine it borrowed.

In March 1935, the ZR2 type replaced the ZR1 type. The range was expanded to include two saloon
versions (luxury and advanced luxury) and a spider coupé. The bonnet gained three horizontal louvers
instead of three flaps and the range of body colours was increased.

As well as enjoying a fine reputation for motoring comfort and user satisfaction, the Celtaquatre
earned considerable sporting honours, averaging 111 Kph over six hours at the Montlhéry track, and
bringing home competition trophies from as far afield as Germany and Egypt.
Following the success of the Novaquatre and the launch of the Juvaquatre, the
Celtaquatre disappeared from the catalogue in April 1938.
Renault Celtaquatre – Released - 1934
• Number produced - 62,987 between 1934 and1938

. Renault Etoile Filante

The post-war period saw the boom of the aerospace industry. In France, a handful of engineers
decided to apply aeronautic technologies to cars. The result was the Étoile Filante (shooting star).
A meteoric success, An engineer’s dream
The Étoile Filante was the brainchild of Joseph Szydlowski, the boss of
Turboméca, a turbine engine company. In 1945, Turboméca started
producing small-scale models of these powerful reactors in order to
equip, for example, the renowned Alouette helicopters. Szydlowski was
convinced that this technology could be used by the general public, and
contacted Renault to discuss an application for the automotive industry.
No sooner said than done! At the time, Renault was looking around for
new engine technologies and it liked the idea of setting a new world speed record.
Renault President Pierre Lefaucheux called in three experienced engineers to
develop a trial vehicle: Fernand Picard, design manager, Albert Lory, a talented
engine specialist, and Jean Hébert, an engineer and pilot. The trio created an
exceptionnel vehicle, built around a powerful turbine developing 270 hp at
28,000 rpm. With its tubular polyester-clad structure and aircraft-style
stabilizers, the Etoile Filante was almost five meters long!
Conquering the USA! As curious as he was courageous, Jean Hébert volunteered to drive the trial
vehicle. A number of successful tunnel tests were carried out between 1954 and
1956. The first open-air test was organized on September 5, 1956 near the
Bonneville salt flats in the US. The Étoile Filante reached a top speed of
308.85 kph, setting a new world record that still stands. Covered by journalists
from around the world, and particularly in the US, the exploit boosted Renault’s
reputation in this country. The Dauphine, launched for export at the same time,
would benefit indirectly from this success.

The most accomplished model in its category.

After this magnificent record, the Étoile Filante quickly burnt out. Its bold futuristic design could have
appealed to customers of the time, but the turbine was not geared to the needs and constraints of a
passenger car. A number of manufacturers were initially interested in this technology but rapidly
shelved their projects. All that remains today is a magnificent machine built
to break records, the most accomplished model in its category.
Renault Étoile Filante
• Year of production - 1954 (unique model)
Colin Fuller’s Alpine A110
Tasmanian Colin Fuller has the distinction of owning the only A110 in the Apple Isle. It’s a blue
Dinalpin which came from Mexico in July 2005, already fitted with a 1647cc R18 engine equipped with
twin 45mm DCOE Webers, a mild cam, and a custom exhaust. It makes 58.3kw (78.2bhp) at the rear
wheels There’s a big brake kit to go on the car yet, and also some Mexican wiring to sort out. Recently
Colin has fitted Sparco seats and made a steering boss adaptor for a quick release steering wheel to
make the car easier to get in and out of.
Colin plans to use the car for track days, motorkhanas, regularity tests and similar events.
(Photos courtesy of Ian Both)

Richard Mann’s Alpine A110

Richard describes his car as a monster project, and work continues on its ground-up rebuild.

The body is original, and was purchased

separately to the chassis. After I got the body, I
rang Rob Lee (Rob is a fellow A110 owner who
attended the 2005 RSAE) to buy one of his
replica chassis, and he had an original French
V85 chassis which he had imported some time
ago and I bought that instead. Interestingly the
chassis number has an Alpine "A" stamped at the
end of it, which I've not seen before, however
there are no other V85s in Australia to compare it
to. Renault confirmed details of the original build,
so it is a French delivered car.
95% of the car is standard Renault stuff, so I dismantled an R10, R8 and Floride to get the suspension
etc. When I restored Matthew Arnold’s A110 chassis, I took lots of pictures and recorded all the simple
mods Alpine made to the production Renault parts. With the body shell came all the steel bumpers,
seats, wiring harness, and odd parts to make the restoration worth pursing.

Colliers built a five-speed gearbox for me, using a genuine 353 end housing and selectors, fitted to an
R10S case. I supplied the R16TX internals. These are bigger and tougher than the original 353 (R8
Gordini) internals (specially the pinion) but do lack the four-spider diff centre seen in all standard A110
boxes. I'll build an R16-based engine which will have one of my specially ported heads, uprated valves
springs and big cam, along with R12G pistons, and compression around 11:1. I'm aiming to get
100hp/litre, or close to 160hp. The exhaust extractors are based on the Group 4 design. Colin Stark
(Alpine Affaire) kindly lent me the originals from his car so I could copy them.

I've fitted big brakes all round. The fronts use R16 discs and R16 calipers, while the rears are R16 discs
and Fiat 130 rear calipers. These Fiat 130 parts are extremely difficult to find, and require a complete
overhaul. I've done four or five sets of rear big brakes. The adaptors to fit the discs and calipers are
unique and can be fabricated, however they are regularly sold on eBay and can be bought from
Mecaparts. Matthew purchased a pile of new and old parts from Colin, which I picked through to
rebuild Matthews's chassis. Some of these parts came from Jeff Bee. Jeff owned a Group 4 A110 and
was a Club Lotus member when I first joined with my Europa in 1987. One part in the pile that caught
my eye was an original 22mm split system brake master cylinder. It was damaged and not repairable in
time to meet Matthew's restoration deadline. I subsequently rebuilt it, manufacturing a new primary
piston, and adapting seals to get it to work.

The car was without gauges, so I've bought the later style ones fitted from approx 1970, but I'm still
missing a speedo - I think I can get one made up using some donor Veglia parts from an Alfa. I still
need an original steel fuel tank, and I'm currently looking for two 5.5"x13" original "Alpine" wheels.
The body was bonded to the chassis late last year and I'm currently (February 2010) repairing the body
shell in preparation for a new coat of 331 Alpine blue, the colour the car was originally painted. Only
1000 hours hard labour to go!
What is RSAE 2010 all about!
In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the
Alpine Recorde du Monde at Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667
RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries!
With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successful
Renault Sport & Alpine Expo – 2005! We now plan an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!
The Planned Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:
• Friday 9 July – Welcome Function 7.00 – 9.00 pm.
• Saturday 10 July – Scenic Drive on some picturesque SE Qld roads with an official
assembly photo shoot and lunch at the destination.
• Saturday 10 July Evening – Gala Dinner 7 pm Robertson Gardens - includes an
interesting guest speaker and a Renault memorabilia auction.
• Sunday 11 July – A Grand Display of French Cars starting at 9:30 am at Brookfield
Pony Club Showgrounds, followed by a casual dinner for RSAE participants.

Optional additional events are:

• Monday 12 July – Track Day: A sprint event at a circuit near Brisbane.

STOP PRESS!!
We are close to finalizing arrangements for the Track Day.
It will be held at ‘The Driving Centre’ at Norwell, just south of Brisbane. It will
certainly provide an opportunity for timed laps, but it will also offer many
other activities. We hope to be able to provide a full day of activities that will
be attractive to all RSAE participants, not just the hard-core motor sport
oriented petrol-heads!!
In the morning, we hope to have the following activities:
* Skid-pan driving experience
* Circuit training lead by experienced racing drivers
* ABS braking training
* Mini motorkhana
* Tour of V8 Supercar workshop
In the afternoon, this will be followed by the opportunity to drive your car on
this challenging 2 km circuit for timed laps – What a day!!
We are still working on ‘the numbers”, but thanks to generous sponsorship
from Renault Australia, we hope to hold to cost of the day down to only
$50 per person.

• Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July – Transit to Sydney along some interesting back roads.
• Saturday 17 July - Day Run near Sydney, organized by our RCCA colleagues
• Sunday 18 July – Sydney All French Car Day.

Anybody with an interest in Renault, Alpine, Gordini or related cars is very welcome. You
don’t need to own the latest RenaultSPORT to attend!
We do NOT expect any RENAULT Twingo Gordinis to make along to
RSAE 2010, although they would be very welcome! If you know of one,
please tell us!
 We do, however, expect a few Renault R16s. Wouldn’t it be nice to see one like this late
model R16TX?

Interested?
RSAE is only a few weeks away, so PLEASE register straight away. Please complete a
Registration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are interested in RSAE
2010 and want more information, please get in touch.
Also, determine your work/holiday plans & make your accommodation bookings early.
It may help to keep an eye on the various forums, including:
http://renaultinaus.17.forumer.com/

To provide everyone with regular updates and Newsletters

on RSAE 2010, we need your name and email address!!
Questions?
Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or
Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the best RENAULT event in

Australia ever. , PLEASE bring it to Australia soon!