Renault 17 Gordini – Into the Wild

Gordini is a name that means a lot in Renault’s motorsport history. Amédée Gordini initially started for himself and even had a Formula 1 team from 1950 to 1956, but then worked with Renault as an engine tuner. With Gordini on board, Renault achieved several successes in rallying and under the same name Renault launched sporty variants of road cars. It started with the Dauphine Gordini and then continued with the Renault 8 and 12 Gordini. With the end of production of the 12 in 1974, Renault decided to let the famous name live on in the Renault 17.

Renault 17 Gordinic

In the same year, the French took the 107 hp top version 17 TS and renamed it 17 Gordini. Apart from the other name, nothing was changed, for example, the 17 did not receive a sportier chassis. The Renault 17 featured in this article is such a Gordini. In the Dutch vehicle register it is registered as 17 TS, but because it was built in 1978 it is really a Gordini. The Gordini decals are therefore not out of place. You don’t have to be shy about light in the dark with the four large rally lamps on the front bumper. The Renault 17 Gordini also has a rallying past: in 1974 Jean-Luc Thérier won the ‘Press-on-Regardless’ rally in the United States with it. However, that 17 was built in the Alpine factory and, in addition to a more powerful engine, had various parts from the Alpine A110 on board.

Anyway, the stickers and the lights give the blue 17 a unique look. The sporty character is further enhanced by the plastic louvres on the rear window. This copy is one from after the facelift in 1976, recognizable by the lack of the chrome frame around the grille and the front bumper that continues up on both sides next to the headlights. In addition, this 17 also has a folding roof. This example stayed abroad from 1978 to 1988, after which it was brought to the Netherlands. Since then, it has had three owners here, the first of which owned it from 1988 to 2012. Since there are very few Renault 17s left, we have to thank them for taking good care of this top version all these years!

Thanks to Wouter Bregman (flickr) for sharing this car in the ‘What did you see today’ topic on the AutoWeek Forum. Have you come across a unique car on the street yourself? Don’t hesitate to upload it!