MEET THE OWNER – RICHARD BIRCHENOUGH AND HIS 1976 RENAULT 12TL

“My fascination with Renaults began in 1976 when my father bought a 1969 16TS. I bought a 12TS to restore many years later, which I sold to a friend in Northern Ireland in 1997 – a decision I still regret!” And so, earlier this year, Richard acquired this splendid red 12TL.

Renault started work on ‘Project 117’ in early 1964; the design brief included “a roomy interior and a large boot”, while in terms of power, the 12 employed the 1.3-litre ‘Cléon-Fonte’ unit. It debuted at the 1969 Paris Motor Show, with UK sales beginning in 1970. Car approved of its “intelligent attention to detail” and how “it is even less hidebound by convention than most recent Renaults”. Late 1975 brought a facelift with a new front grille and a slightly more logical fascia. The price of a 1976-model was £1,874 – slightly more than a Vauxhall Viva HC SL or a Hillman Avenger Super.

However, Richard points out the 12 idiosyncrasies were still very much present in the second-generation models. “There are the levers alongside the headlamps to adjust their angle if you are carrying a heavy load, and that elaborate-looking fresh air vent across the dashboard is as useless as ever”. As a mid-range TL, the Birchenough Renault boasts reversing lamps, power-assisted brakes, and a cigar lighter, while the upholstery is very sensible black vinyl. As for the centre console and the elaborate instrumentation, “a previous owner fitted them from the upmarket TS”.

With the launch of the 18 in 1978, Renault reduced the 12 range to the TL, the Estates, and the ‘Société’ van. French production ended in 1980, but Romanian-built derivatives continued for literally decades. The first ‘Dacia 1300’ left the factory on the 23^rd August 1969. The subsequent ‘1310’ saloon remained available until 2004 and its Pick-Up stablemate until as recently as December 2006. As for British 12s, there are possibly a mere 62 still in use. It is a far cry from when it was one of the most popular imported models on the road.

As a result, ORR 385 P is one of the rarest cars in the country. The red paint finish emphasises the almost defiantly idiosyncratic styling and its sheer presence. Richard points out that despite being considered a Ford Escort rival, at over 14 feet, the Renault is comparable in length with a Cortina – “and the boot is enormous”. A previous owner also treated his TL to a pair of fog lamps from the ‘Renault Boutique’. Many avid car brochure readers of the 1970s will recall how your friendly local dealer could transform your 12 with some aftermarket stripes. The result was a vehicle fit for Patrick Mower in Target and one that would undoubtedly cause a sensation at the A32 Little Chef.

Most importantly, Richard’s 12 is the sort of car that would have tempted an Avenger or Viva owner to break with tradition and ‘buy foreign’. It is a vehicle of undoubted flair and individuality - and an essential member of the 13-strong Birchenough Renault collection. Meanwhile, another is “the 11 TXE Electronic that my father bought new in 1984”. But that is another story for another blog…

With Thanks To: Richard Birchenough