1991 Renault 19 16V – Classified of the Week

Underrated and often overlooked in favour of fancier French fare such as the likes of the Peugeot 205 and Renault’s own 5 and Clio models, the 19 is still worth a look, especially in hot, 16-valve guise like we have here. Granted, stock 19s are nothing to write home about and even though styling came courtesy of legendary Italian scribbler Giorgetto Giugiaro it was very much a case of function over form and the 19, to put it lightly, is a bit of a departure from some of his other efforts – the Maserati Ghibli and De Tomaso Mangusta are two that spring instantly to mind.

Produced as a small family runabout to replace the ageing Renault 9/11 the 19 was available with a number of rather lacklustre engines ranging from 1.2-litre petrols to 1.9-litre diesel lumps, none of which were going to set any land speed records. It did enjoy a brief stint in the British Touring Car Championship however which proved in the eyes of the public that the car was capable. What they did lack in outright power they made up for in drive-ability though and the 19 was a decent car to drive as well as being economical. Interior comfort was also marked as being a big plus for the model and the car is easily roomy enough for the family.

The Renault 19 was a great seller for the French auto maker too and even picked up some Car of the Year awards in the late 80s and early 90s. For this reason the car was consistently developed throughout the course of its production run with various tweaks and facelifts over the years. There was even a rare convertible version built by Karmann but these are incredibly difficult to come by. The 16-Valve debuted in 1990 with a 1.8-litre, multi-point fuel injected engine. It featured, amongst other things, a cool (pun intended) air inlet on the bonnet and a rear spoiler to let people know it meant business. An uprated exhaust manifold was also fitted along with 15” alloy wheels and beefier side-skirts. The interior got some love too with the addition of those notoriously comfy Recaro bucket seats being fitted as standard, either in cloth or leather for those who preferred cow skin.

Instantly pitted against the VW Golf GTI by the motoring press upon release the Renault holds its own admirably alongside the German giant. The dual overhead cam F7P engine is a revvy little so-and-so and feels eager, producing 138bhp and propelling the car from zero to 60mph in around eight seconds and on to a top speed of just over 130mph. The car was praised for its roadholding characteristics too thanks to improved suspension over earlier incarnations as well as a front strut brace and lower ride height and it still holds up today as an engaging drive. Brakes were also upgraded with larger discs and ABS as standard. Other factory options included air conditioning and an electric sunroof.

Along with the convertible the 16V has managed to creep in through the back door while nobody was looking and has made its way firmly into classic territory. It’s a solid, competitive alternative to the usual early 90s hot hatch offerings and prices are on the rise, albeit a few years behind those of its rivals mentioned above. Build quality can be an issue, along with the electrics but this is the case with most Renaults of this era and shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the positives these cars offer which far outweigh the negatives. The important, mechanical parts are generally tough.

This 1991 16V is a low-mileage, two-door example that has apparently been treated to a full, documented restoration at some point and we must say it looks pretty immaculate. The Renault Bleu Sport paint appears to be in top condition and the owner claims that the car is solid throughout. It also comes with a complete history file dating back to the original purchase invoice which is a huge plus. If you want to be a little bit different but still enjoy a classic 90s hot hatch then this is the car for you and while ten grand may seem like a lot for a Renault 19, this totally original car is a peach and, dare we say it, a bit of a collector’s item as many of these cars have sadly returned to the earth from whence they came.

Here’s where you’ll find one, if you’re lucky enough to see a Renault 19 for sale.