1984 Renault Fuego LOW MILES

Make:	Renault
Model:	Fuego
Type:	Coupe
Year:	1984
Mileage:	33,103
VIN:	VF1FF36B2E2021803
Color:	Orchid
Engine:	2.2L Inline 4
Cylinders:	4
Fuel:	Gasoline
Transmission:	Automatic
Drive side:	Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Cortland, New York, United States

1984 Renault Fuego Additional Info:

Up for sale is this 1984 Renault Fuego. It is the 2.2L non-turbo engine, and has an automatic transmission. While that admittedly is not the most desirable configuration, the car is an absolute creampuff with an original 33,000 miles. It is an immaculate, intact, unmolested time capsule of the elegant grand touring car that Renault produced in that era. The matching orchid color scheme screams 1984 style. It is a car rich in kitsch. Even among classic Renaults, the Fuego has a spot all its own in history. When people see it, it's uncanny how often they'll recall a nostalgic memory of some incidental person from their past who drove one. There are precious few Renaults Fuegos that survive, fewer still that haven't been messed with, and perhaps none with lower mileage.
I rescued the car in 2005 and nursed it back to health over the course of a couple years. It needed the gas tank replaced, tires, muffler, and sorting out some odds and ends like the wiper motor, throttle linkage, etc. But eventually I got it solid again, and have been driving it comfortably and consistently ever since. It works, runs, and drives like a 30,000 mile car. It starts up on the first try in the spring after sitting all winter. It gets up and drives any distance any time. All the lights and stuff work. I had a bit of a time sorting out the tail lights, which are notorious in these cars. But I think that the problem is wrongly blamed on the circuit board-style wiring when in fact it's where the wires come into the connector that the fault lies. I cinched those up and haven't had a lick of trouble since. As you can see from the pictures, I've had it at the Citroen Rendezvous 175 miles away in Saratoga Springs on several occasions. The only reason it hasn't been there recently is because I got my Citroen back on the road, so I take that instead. I frequently take the Fuego on long country drives around home, including the Tully to LaFayette Run, a challenging drive from I81's Exit 14 to Exit 15 by way of a 300 mile, 6.5 hour rally around all 7 principle Finger Lakes. I would confidently drive this car any distance at the drop of a hat. The only reason I'm selling it is because I'm reducing my collection and need to make some tough choices. I hate to see this beauty go, but it's time for someone else to enjoy her.
Below are the few issues that the car does have:
- The ventilation system is fubar. It's currently stuck on fresh air to the windshield. The cruise control is also inoperative. These were issues when I got the car, which is probably why it got parked in the first place.
- The brakes are a little funky. The rear proportioning valve went a while back, and my guy improvised something that works, but has left a soft pedal ever since. The brakes work consistently and stop the car fine, but the pedal doesn't feel great, and it should probably be sorted. Also I think the pads all need to be replaced. If there were anything to be undertaken with this car, it would be a thorough going-over of the whole braking system.
- The thermostatically controlled radiator fan switch isn't working. My guy luckily found an old switch in one of his boxes of parts and got it working again last fall, but this spring it was broken again. It's a quick fix if you can find the right part, or an easy job to wire up a toggle switch. I've just had other priorities.
- The bright light switch doesn't work. The headlights come on fine, but you can't flash or change to brights.
- The body has some dings here and there, and just a little bubbling in a couple spots, and the paint is oxidized on some surfaces. But there are no real dents or accident damage, and all the trim is intact.
- The clock doesn't always light up. But when it does, the time is always right on the money year after year.
Other than those few things, all the important stuff is strong, and it's in extremely solid condition, especially for an 80's Renault. I would say you can drive it anywhere, but that's if the brake pads check out, and you're doing mostly highway driving because the radiator fan doesn't come on.
I'm asking a solid price because this is a solid car, and a pristine example of a slice of automotive history that's in danger of disappearing. Wherever you take this car, I pretty much guarantee it'll be the only Fuego there.
Will assist with transport pickup within reason and with adequate advanced notice.