Category Archives: News

CAMS have an article on their website about the RCCV display at this years Australian Grand Prix.

See the rare Renault Gordini at the Australian Grand Prix

I was invited to attend the 4CV Register bi-annual muster at Griffith NSW over Easter 2017.  I had offered to transport David Jenkins’ 4CV on my trailer and use his car for the activities.  Whilst the Register is primarily aimed at 4CV’s (Renault 750’s), all rear engine Renaults are welcome to join. This includes Dauphine, R8, R10, Floride, Caravelle, Alpine etc. Any Renault is welcome to join in their events.

We travelled to Griffith on Thursday to avoid some of the Easter traffic with the event officially commencing at 3.00pm on Good Friday.

Saturday morning brought a short drive to a preserves factory for a tasting followed by a procession through the middle of Griffith to a park for a line up and photo shoot. The procession had locals waving and admiring the presentation of the cars.  There were (from memory) 23 4CV’s, one Dauphine, three R8’s (including a Gordini), two R10’s, one Floride, two Caravelle’s and two Alpine A110’s.

There was also a boat powered by a modified 750 engine which held the speed record for engines from 50 cu inch to 225 cu inch.

Following the photo shoot we went to a salami factory for a tasting and on to the Griffith Pioneer Park and Museum for lunch and tour. Dinner on Saturday Night was at the Exies (ex-serviceman’s) Club in Griffith.

Sunday morning we drove approx. 50km to a cotton gin for a tour and presentation on the growing and processing of cotton in the area.  On the return journey to the motel we stopped at McWilliams Wines, Hanwood Estate for lunch.

After lunch there was a swap meet at the motel. Many of those who trailered cars loaded then to prepare for the return home on  Monday. Attendees had come from all states and territories except NT.

The next muster is in Inverell NSW, Easter 2019.  I think I might go again.

Glenn Armstrong

Our drive day for May is to Gisborne Market followed by lunch at the Lancefield Pub.  We will have a couple of hours at the market.

Following lunch we will visit Mount Macedon and end at New Gisborne for afternoon tea.

A full itinerary will be emailed to members.

We will meet at 0900 for 0930 Start, at Bunnings Keysborough Carpark, MAP 88 J8. Springvale Rd end, opposite Garden section.

Travel via Frankston, Mt Eliza, Merricks, Flinders then climb up the back of Arthur’s Seat, take a view, then wind our way down again to Dromana for lunch at Dee’s Kitchen.

Distance 96km or 60 miles approx.

We hope you can join Us.

For this year we had 15 display place allocated.  Unfortunately Mike Garafillis R12 Gordini did not make it on the day.  We had many people interested in our cars, particularly the Alpines A110 and A310, and in the Renault 750.

It cost each person $30.00 to display their car. In return they received 2 X 4 day general admission passes to the event. In addition, each person goes into a draw for a  number of Pit Lane walks.  Two from our club were lucky enough to win.  We believe we were the only club with multiple winners.

There was also on display at the event, a Dauphine that held set a land speed record last year at Bonneville at 123 kph.  This stunned may of us as it has a larger motor than a standard Dauphine which we thought would have been able to do that speed easily.

Some of our members took a very relaxed approach to the day.

CAMS gave us a write up on their website too: See the rare Renault Gordini at the Australian Grand Prix

Our drive day for March will be to Marysville for lunch at the Bakery.

We will be meeting at McDonalds Tecoma (rear of) at 9.30am for a 9.45am departure.

In addition to club members, anyone driving a Renault is welcome to join us.

As might be expected, there are Renault models and variants on the market in Europe that we never see in Australia. A recent trip to the UK, France and Germany highlighted this for me. However, my overall impression was that apart from the exotic Twizzy and the all-electric Zoe, some of the offerings were losing some of the traditional French uniqueness and flair. The new Espace –the big Renault—looked too much like a big Jeep while the latest Scenic appeared to have lost most of its quirky features, especially the 17-odd storage pockets. Even the Zoe, though neat, looked like a Cleo with batteries.

Apart from the Twizzy, the highlight was the L’Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysees in central Paris. This shop featured current Renault models, historic details on the company, an excellent gifts and souvenirs area and an upstairs café. Similar shops presented by Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Peugeot and Citroen were more glitz and less information with the Citroen display was dominated some stunning architecture. Very much worth a visit! Three models selected from L’Atelier Renault show a Twizzy, a micro, radio-controlled Renault Sport R.S. 01, and the grand Renault RM2 Reinastella from 1932.

From another interesting perspective –though I admit that perhaps I am biased— I felt that I saw fewer Peugeots anywhere in Europe, even compared with Australia, and that there was nothing of note amongst them that caught his eye.

Our drive day commenced with a meeting at McDonalds Berwick, Unfortunately we did not realise there were two McDonalds in Clyde Rd Berwick and a couple went to the other one (I wont say wrong one).

We remained mainly south of the freeway through to Drouin for coffee. Our Convoy had Clio’s 2,3 & 4, Megane 265’s, a Renault 750 and a Renault 12 Gordini.

We travelled from Drouin to Moe for lunch at the racecourse bistro staying north of the freeway. After lunch we set out for Maffra, again using back roads, avoiding the freeway.

The car collection was interesting with a Dauphine Gordini and a 1908 Renault on display with a number of other interesting and unusual vehicles including French cars Berliet and Mors.

Starting from Mc Donalds, Clyde Road in Berwick. Assemble 9.00am for 9.30am departure.

The coffee break will be at Nick’s Bakehouse in Drouin and lunch at the Moe Racing Club Bistro.

The theme of the current exhibition at Maffra is “Never Been Kissed” meaning most of the motorcycles, cars & trucks have little or no restoration work done.

Exhibits range from a 1908 Renault which remained in the ownership of one family for over 100 years, to a 1922 Vulcan truck on solid rubber tyres, with lots of interesting motoring history in between. Look for the 1911 MORS. The company was established in France in 1897 (older than Renault).  The rolling chassis was imported and the body fitted in Melbourne.

Admission to the Vehicle Collection is $8.00 per adult (group of 10 or more) and children under 15 are free. Tea/coffee and light refreshments are available.

The run does not touch the freeway and includes some interesting roads and scenery including the immense W Power Station at Yallourn.

Come along and join the convoy.

Anyone planning to attend should advise numbers by email to “” by end of 18/08/2016.