Few hot hatches scream late-1980s and early-1990s turbo madness quite like the Renault 5 GT Turbo.
And this highly original 1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo Raider heading to Iconic Auctioneers this weekend looks like exactly the sort of car enthusiasts spend years trying to track down.
Finished in the Raider-only Sports Blue paintwork, this late-production special edition is one of the final GT Turbos built before Renault retired the model, and importantly, it appears to have escaped the heavily modified fate suffered by so many others.
According to the auction listing, the car has remained with the same owner since 2003 and has had just three previous keepers in total.
Showing 98,000 miles from new, the Raider is described as remaining in notably original specification, something becoming increasingly rare in today’s market where surviving GT Turbos are often heavily altered, restored beyond recognition or simply long gone.
The car has spent the last six years in storage as part of a private collection after the owner relocated to the USA, and while recommissioning work will naturally be required before regular road use, it sounds like the fundamentals remain strong.
For plenty of enthusiasts, the Renault 5 GT Turbo still sits near the very top of the analogue hot hatch tree.
Lightweight, aggressive, boost-happy and famously lively in period, these cars earned a reputation for embarrassing much larger machinery on the right road.
The Raider edition added unique Sports Blue paintwork, special trim and subtle upgrades to create what many now consider one of the most desirable factory GT Turbo variants.
Finding one that still presents honestly and largely untouched is becoming increasingly difficult.
The Renault is due to cross the block with Iconic Auctioneers during The Classic Sale at Supercar Fest 2026, taking place at Sywell Aerodrome on Saturday 16th May.
For anyone who grew up with posters of turbocharged hot hatches on their bedroom walls, this one will probably hit the nostalgia button fairly hard.
And judging by how quickly good, original GT Turbos disappear these days, we suspect there will be plenty of interest once bidding starts.
Full auction details can be found on the Iconic Auctioneers website:
https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1990-renault-5-gt-turbo-raider-rec16962-1-sywell-0526
Stay updated with the latest barn finds, auction news, and classic car adventures in our 'News & Waffle' section. Dive into rare discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the world of classic cars. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the tales behind these treasures, this is your hub for all things classic and captivating.
View All
At first glance, it looks like a battered old Volkswagen hubcap. Open it, though, and you discover one of the cleverest period accessories made for early air-cooled VWs. This vintage VW HAZET tool kit is heading to auction in Essex, apparently complete, with an estimate of £600–£800. For owners of early Beetles, Karmann Ghias and […]
It has been sitting in a dry garage since 1986, the engine is seized and there are reportedly just five Renault 15 TS models currently licensed for UK roads. Now this wonderfully untouched 1973 survivor is going up for auction in Essex with an estimate of just £1,000–£2,000. For anyone with a soft spot for […]
Some of the best bits of motoring history aren’t cars or motorcycles at all. Sometimes they’re the things that used to sit on the counter behind them. A mate recently cleared out an old motorcycle and bicycle shop that had closed down, and knowing my weakness for old shop display material, he saved ...
