23rd Jan 2005, 09:35

I used to own a 1968 R10 model in Europe and sold it when I moved to Canada. If I find one for sale in North America, I would consider buying it for restoration.

i2q2b2@hotmail.com

Emile.

25th Feb 2005, 05:51

I had an R10 as my first car. I was 16, and bought it for $100. 2 years later I bought another 2 for parts, totaling another $100.

I did strip down and rebuild the engine, shaved the alloy head to give greater compression, and installed oversize rings to help out. This little bugger would rev like nothing else. I got booked doing 96 mph in a 60 kph area, so it did have some get up and go.

I used to street race against a friend who owned a morris1100. The R10 killed him every time, with the trick being a bag of cement in the boot (bonnet?).

Unfortunately, rust took her away, and she's now part of a train wheel or something.

What a fantastic car for its time!

Shane

Newcastle - Australia.

9th Oct 2005, 07:01

I have to agree. My 1971 Renault 10 was a scary, gutless little ride. It slid like a sleigh in any moisture, I had every kind of electrical problem, the cylinder sleeves cracked, and the radiator overflow (a glass bottle) exploded. Once while travelling at it's top speed of 55 mph, one of its tires blew out, and blew the fender completely off the vehicle.

Oh, and the right rear passenger door fell off. Just... fell off. I hated it.

1st Mar 2006, 11:30

I bought a 1970 R10 in late 1971 and drove it for 3 years. If I recall, it had an 1100 cc engine.

It started in all kinds of weather, was very comfortable inside and had a blast furnace of a heater which made the Volkswagen weep with envy.

With the 1100 engine, the car went like stink.

In the heavy snows of Montreal Quebec, it had fabulous traction; and, it was light enough to push out of snow banks if one did get stuck.

The trunk was enormous.

It handled well and was easy on the gas although it did require premium fuel @ 35 cents per imperial gallon.

The down side - it rusted away in 4 years.

I would love to get my hands on another as a project car. Perhaps that will help me recapture my lost youth.

26th Apr 2006, 23:01

My Dad's firm had several R10's as company cars in the early 70's. I remember he would bring them home from time to time simply because they were fun to drive. Never any problems as I recall. I remember one day good ole Dad decided to determine what top end on a 10 was. We hit 92, level ground. Cool little car!

19th Jul 2006, 22:13

I bought my first reno 10 from a paddock when I was just 16. We drove it as a paddock bomb for a few months before I even thought to check if there was water in the radiator... Nope.

Subsequently I registered it, tidied it up and drove it for about 4 years as a student before a drunk driver wrote it off for me on a freeway. (We were OK though, one for French engineering that)

I don't think I could ever have had a better student car, it ran on next to no fuel at all, could be started any time with the crank handle (I could NOT afford a real battery for it.) and folded down into a very nice double bed. ;^) The only problem with this was, you had to remember to put it in first gear, else you'd find the gearstick in the most unwelcome spots. Someone earlier mentioned footprints on the roof... well modesty forbids, but there were quite a few of those on mine too.

For what it's worth, after the drunk driver wrote it off, (and nearly me too) I was flooded with condolence cards from friends, recounting their fond memories of the car and where it took us.

Unforgettable. I'd love to restore one one day, but somehow I think the reality would never live up to the memory.

15th Oct 2006, 03:06

I got my first R10 (1967) as a student in 1972. A truck swerved into me - Renault written off, me fortunately not. I was very sad, apart from the fact that I had to use my bicycle for a few months. Then I got an R8 body and put the R10 engine, seats, etc. into it. Clever mechanic did something wrong somewhere and the engine blew.

Got the second 1967 R10 in 1973, still as a student. No money for services and such luxuries, but my best friend and I went on numerous long distance trips. No problem!

One fine day after a 3000 km round trip, we decided it was using a little too much oil, so let's try stripping the engine ourselves. What a story - one day I'll write a book!

We finally got everything together again, and the car ran until 1982, when I sold it.

I am now in the process of buying a 1968 R10 with low mileage - am looking forward!

Since 1982 I have been driving an R5 1400 TS - 24 years later its still going strong. My wife has a Clio - also a lovely car.

Give me Renault any day!

Johan Viljoen

Pretoria, South Africa.

13th Mar 2008, 16:22

I bought a new R 10 in San Antonio in 1967 soon after I joined the AF. It cost less than $1800. It was a beautiful blue with black vinyl interior. It was very comfortable and economical. Gas mileage was usually in the mid 30s although I did get 40 mpg on a road trip one time. During the two years I owned it, the only problems I had were a defective head gasket (replaced under warranty) and a bad wheel bearing. I very foolishly traded it in on a 1968 Mercury Montego.

23rd Oct 2008, 13:13

I was pleasantly surprised to find this blog. I have no real experience with Renault vehicles, and have heard mostly bad things about French-made automobiles.

I looked up "Renault 10" because I recently came across one at a local car dealer. It's a 1971 model with standard transmission. The owner wants $3500 USD for it, which I thought was a bit steep. However, the stories I've read on this site have changed my mind a little. Also, my brother owns a 1966 VW Beetle, so I'm tempted to make an offer just to show him a thing or two >:)

Robert McCulloch

San Antonio, TX.