Brand: Pirelli, Width: 145 | 5 L 1972 to 1978

Renault 5 L 1972 to 1978

Renault's small car. Produced from 1972 to 1984.

Originally fitted with a 135R13 radial tyre, with the option of a 145R13.

With its chic styling and hatchback practicality the Renault 5 was a great success throughout he 1970s. It arrived in October 1972 in 845cc (5L) and 956cc (5TL) guises. All cars got a column change but from August 1974 a floor-mounted gearchange became optional on the 5TL. A year later the 5TS arrived with a 1289cc engine, then in April 1976 the economy special 5GTL debuted with a detuned 1289cc engine and longer gearing.

A three-speed automatic transmission was offered with the 1289cc engine from January 1979, then three months later the naturally aspirated 1.4-litre Renault 5 Gordini debuted; it was called the Alpine in France. Incredibly, only a three-door Renault 5 was offered until September 1979, when a five-door model was introduced.

Things got even more interesting in May 1982, with the Gordini getting a turbocharger; soon after, the 5TX went on sale with a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre engine. In 1984 the range was rationalised and the Gordini Turbo was axed; within a year the original Renault 5 was replaced by an all-new second-generation model.