Coming up soon is a chance to own a rare example of a mid-engined modern classic.
If a Lotus Elise seems too obvious, the Renault Sport Spider is a much rarer and arguably cooler car than the roadster from Hethel. It was also the first road car to wear a Renault Sport badge.
This particular example, finished in bold Pearlescent Liquid Yellow, will be going under the hammer at the Iconic Auctioneers Supercar Fest sale in mid-May.
A concept car brought to life
The lineage of the Renault Sport Spider can be traced back to the radical Laguna Roadster concept, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1990. This was followed by a production-ready model, displayed at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show.
Beneath the minimalist GRP bodywork was a strong but lightweight aluminium chassis. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine was borrowed from the iconic Clio Williams hot hatch, and combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The 2.0-litre engine’s 148hp, hauling a kerb weight of less than 1,000kg, meant the Sport Spider could accelerate from 0-62mph in a swift 6.9 seconds.
Early versions of the car were built for a one-make racing series. In the UK, this would support the British Touring Car Championship, and see Jason Plato become the inaugural title winner in 1995.
Through the looking glass
Production of the Sport Spider began in 1996, with the first 400 examples built in left-hand drive and without a windscreen. Instead, a diminutive aeroscreen was fitted, as seen on the racing cars.
Right-hand-drive versions followed later, with the UK only taking Sport Spiders fitted with a full glass windscreen. Only 60 were made, making them a genuine rarity among a total production run of 1,685 cars made at the Alpine factory in Dieppe.
Supplied to its first owner in December 1997, this yellow Sport Spider has amassed only 5,000 miles on its odometer from new.
A true collector’s item
Described as being in ‘showroom condition’, the Sport Spider has seemingly not wanted for maintenance, despite its ultra-low mileage.
The extensive maintenance records show 12 services, with the most recent performed in August 2023. This saw the cambelt replaced by a Renault specialist, removing one concern for the next owner.
Iconic Auctioneers notes the car will come with its original sales invoice, along with old tax discs, MOT documents and the owner’s manual.
Both clear and weatherproof cockpit covers are included, plus the ‘briefcase’ tool kit housed in the front luggage compartment.
Supercar style on a budget
Given the rarity of the Renault Sport Spider, and the low mileage of this particular example, a pre-auction estimate of £35,000 to £40,000 has been given.
Compared to the £55,000 starting price of a new Alpine A110, now produced in the same factory that built the Sport Spider, it makes this example seem good value.
A similar UK car, taken from Renault’s own heritage fleet, sold for £45,500 in 2022.
The Liquid Yellow Sport Spider will go under the hammer on Saturday 18 May. Being held as part of the Supercar Fest extravaganza, the sale will take place at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire.
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