RSAE 10 Newsletter#8

8/9/2019 RSAE 10 Newsletter#8

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Newsletter # 8 20May 2010

RENAULT Sport &AlpineEXPOBrisbane 9 July to 25 July 2010

Whats it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering whatthe RSAE is all about, please read page 6.

Something New New Kangoo

Something Old - Renault Celtaquatre


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Renault Celtaquatre: The Celtaquatre production line came into full swing in spring 1934. This wasthe first Renault to succumb to the demands of modern streamlined styling. The curvy coachworkmarked 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 whilemeeting high standards in economy and safety. Contemporary advertising presented the Celtaquatreas the Vivasport of small cars. This small 9 hp car was Renaults new entry-level model. It took up itsplace alongside the Monaquatre, whose engine it borrowed.

In March 1935, the ZR2 type replaced the ZR1 type. The range was expanded to include two saloonversions (luxury and advanced luxury) and a spider coup. 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 Celtaquatreearned considerable sporting honours, averaging 111 Kph over six hours at the Montlhry 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, theCeltaquatre disappeared from the catalogue in April 1938.

Renault Celtaquatre Released - 1934 Number produced - 62,987 between 1934 and1938

. Renault Etoile FilanteThe 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 toile Filante (shooting star).A meteoric success, An engineers dream

The toile Filante was the brainchild of Joseph Szydlowski, the boss ofTurbomca, a turbine engine company. In 1945, Turbomca startedproducing small-scale models of these powerful reactors in order toequip, for example, the renowned Alouette helicopters. Szydlowski wasconvinced that this technology could be used by the general public, andcontacted 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 todevelop a trial vehicle: Fernand Picard, design manager, Albert Lory, a talentedengine specialist, and Jean Hbert, an engineer and pilot. The trio created anexceptionnel vehicle, built around a powerful turbine developing 270 hp at28,000 rpm. With its tubular polyester-clad structure and aircraft-stylestabilizers, the Etoile Filante was almost five meters long!

Conquering the USA! As curious as he was courageous, Jean Hbert volunteered to drive the trialvehicle. A number of successful tunnel tests were carried out between 1954 and1956. The first open-air test was organized on September 5, 1956 near theBonneville salt flats in the US. The toile Filante reached a top speed of308.85 kph, setting a new world record that still stands. Covered by journalistsfrom around the world, and particularly in the US, the exploit boosted Renaultsreputation 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 toile Filante quickly burnt out. Its bold futuristic design could haveappealed to customers of the time, but the turbine was not geared to the needs and constraints of apassenger car. A number of manufacturers were initially interested in this technology but rapidlyshelved their projects. All that remains today is a magnificent machine builtto break records, the most accomplished model in its category.Renault toile Filante

Year of production - 1954 (unique model)


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Colin Fullers Alpine A110

Tasmanian Colin Fuller has the distinction of owning the only A110 in the Apple Isle. Its a blueDinalpin which came from Mexico in July 2005, already fitted with a 1647cc R18 engine equipped withtwin 45mm DCOE Webers, a mild cam, and a custom exhaust. It makes 58.3kw (78.2bhp) at the rearwheels Theres a big brake kit to go on the car yet, and also some Mexican wiring to sort out. RecentlyColin has fitted Sparco seats and made a steering boss adaptor for a quick release steering wheel tomake the car easier to get in and out of.

Colin plans to use the car for track days, motorkhanas, regularity tests and similar events.


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(Photos courtesy of Ian Both)

Richard Manns Alpine A110

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

The body is original, and was purchasedseparately to the chassis. After I got the body, Irang Rob Lee (Rob is a fellow A110 owner who

attended the 2005 RSAE) to buy one of hisreplica chassis, and he had an original FrenchV85 chassis which he had imported some timeago and I bought that instead. Interestingly thechassis number has an Alpine "A" stamped at theend of it, which I've not seen before, howeverthere are no other V85s in Australia to compare itto. Renault confirmed details of the original build,so it is a French delivered car.


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95% of the car is standard Renault stuff, so I dismantled an R10, R8 and Floride to get the suspensionetc. When I restored Matthew Arnolds A110 chassis, I took lots of pictures and recorded all the simplemods 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 anR10S case. I supplied the R16TX internals. These are bigger and tougher than the original 353 (R8Gordini) internals (specially the pinion) but do lack the four-spider diff centre seen in all standard A110boxes. 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 get100hp/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 discsand Fiat 130 rear calipers. These Fiat 130 parts are extremely difficult to find, and require a completeoverhaul. I've done four or five sets of rear big brakes. The adaptors to fit the discs and calipers areunique and can be fabricated, however they are regularly sold on eBay and can be bought fromMecaparts. 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 andwas a Club Lotus member when I first joined with my Europa in 1987. One part in the pile that caughtmy eye was an original 22mm split system brake master cylinder. It was damaged and not repairable intime to meet Matthew's restoration deadline. I subsequently rebuilt it, manufacturing a new primarypiston, 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 stillmissing a speedo - I think I can get one made up using some donor Veglia parts from an Alfa. I stillneed 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 bodyshell in preparation for a new coat of 331 Alpine blue, the colour the car was originally painted. Only1000 hours hard labour to go!


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What is RSAE 2010 all about!In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the

Alpine Recorde du Mondeat Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries!

With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successfulRenault 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 willcertainly provide an opportunity for timed laps, but it will also offer manyother activities. We hope to be able to provide a full day of activities that willbe attractive to all RSAE participants, not just the hard-core motor sportoriented 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 workshopIn the afternoon, this will be followed by the opportunity to drive your car onthis challenging 2 km circuit for timed laps What a day!!We are still working on the numbers, but thanks to generous sponsorship

fromRenault 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. Youdont need to own the latest RenaultSPORT to attend!We do NOT expect any RENAULT Twingo Gordinisto make along toRSAE 2010, although they would be very welcome! If you know of one,please tell us!


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We do, however, expect a few Renault R16s. Wouldnt it be nice to see one like this latemodel R16TX?

Interested?

RSAE is only a few weeks away, so PLEASEregister straight away. Please complete aRegistration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are interested in RSAE2010 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 Newsletterson RSAE 2010, we need your name and email address!!

Questions?Contact us at [email protected] or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or

Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the bestRENAULTevent inAustralia ever. , PLEASEbring it to Australia soon!

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RSAE 10 Newsletter#8