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
Some cars instantly make you stop scrolling. This 1971 Triumph TR6 is one of them. We were recently contacted by the long-term owner of this white TR6, who had owned the car since 1979. The car had spent decades tucked away and unused, with DVLA records showing it has been untaxed since February 1984. That […]
The Cambridgeshire No Reserve Barn Find Vintage Car Sale from Humbert & Ellis Ltd looks like the sort of online auction enthusiasts dream about stumbling across. Hidden away inside dusty outbuildings are rare pre-war classics, unusual French cyclecars and long-forgotten projects, all heading into a no reserve online sale closing on 18th May 2026. The […]
Forgotten Mini 1275 GT Project Set For Morris Leslie Auction Projects do not come much more honest than this. Heading to Morris Leslie’s classic auction this Saturday, 16th May, is this 1980 Austin Morris Mini 1275 GT — a non-running restoration project fresh from a deceased estate and offered exactly as found. The little Mini […]
