RENAULT CAR CLUB OF AUSTRALIA

Having been around since 1951, the Sydney-based Renault Car Club of Australia is one of Australia’s longest running car clubs and claims to be the first Renault enthusiast club in the world.

Club stalwart, Roger Copp, the proud owner of an award-winning 4CV, is a died-in-the-wool Renault enthusiast. His affection for the French brand goes right back to his first car, also a 4CV. “As of this year Renaults have been with us for 120 years,” Copp reminds us. “It’s not surprising that a marque with such a long and rich history prompted enthusiasts to take the step of forming a club dedicated to Renault,” he said.

While Renaults from the 40s and 50s are popular with members, the full range of old and new models is represented, with highperformance models like Gordini and Alpine featuring. The oldest car on the club’s books is a 1911 Type BF 18CV Renault.

The club has in fact more or less doubled its size in recent years with around 200 members on the books and 90 member cars on historic plates. Copp credits much of the club’s growth to the brand’s overall higher profile in Australia, given the popularity of the range of new Renaults on sale these days. A wealth of information and resources is available to assist members with maintenance and restoration projects. Apart from experienced individuals who are happy to give advice the club has an extensive library and can help with sourcing of hard-to-find parts.

As well as enjoying a range of social outings members take part in runs and industry events. Competitive appetites are catered for with track days and gymkhana events.

Members are kept in touch with all the latest news and coming events through the club’s magazine, The Hub, that is published six times each year.

True to the brand’s origins, the club’s ‘All French Car Day’ celebrates Bastille Day each July.