Renault Clio Williams 2

ENGINE 1994cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 145bhp@6100rpm TORQUE 129lb ft@4500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 134mph 0-60MPH 7.8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 22-27mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT 12 months ODOMETER 60,020 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

It’s every bit as exciting as you’d hope on the road, the engine delivering a healthy dose of low-down punch and top-end thrashiness, with good oil pressure throughout the rev range. The car feels stable at speed and we detected no wobbles or looseness in the running gear, plenty of feedback through the wheel and no troublesome noises. Gear selection is tight and precise, and the clutch firm – but not excessively so. New discs all round mean that braking is strong and dead straight and the engine settles to a smooth idle, hot or cold. In short, the driving experience is spot-on.

BODYWORK CHECK

Most of the car has recently been resprayed to quite a high standard, giving a deep sheen all round with almost no blemishes. The only visible marks are some very small chips at the front of the bonnet and around the front numberplate. Elsewhere all the plastic trim and bumpers are undamaged, as are the lamps and glass (all of which is etched with matching code). The recently refurbished gold wheels look immaculate and are fitted with a new set of Pirelli Cinturato 185/55 R15 tyres. We found no external corrosion, but a recent coating of underseal is visible in the rear wheelarches, which have recently been welded.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

Not far from perfection. The only faults are the usual scuffs on the lower plastic parts of both doors, and very slight deformation to the driver’s armrest. Otherwise it’s all good. The cloth seats are in excellent condition, the carpets and headlining are clean and tidy, and the steering wheel has escaped major wear. All the equipment – including the blower, gauges, electric mirrors, heated rear screen, remote central locking, and period Philips radio/cassette player, work as they should. There’s no sign of corrosion under the boot carpet.

UNDER THE BONNET

We found no leaks, perished materials or major corrosion under the bonnet. The front subframe has only surface rust and appears to have originally been painted white, suggesting that it’s a replacement from another vehicle. The oil and fluids are clean and to the correct levels, the battery is new, the exhaust manifold looks recent and the radiator is in good condition. The comprehensive service history includes receipts for a cambelt replacement in 2016, new front and rear brakes in February 2017 and some 13 hours of welding to the offside sill and both rear wheelarches earlier this year.

THE CCW VIEW

It’s not quite a nut-and-bolt restoration, but the large amount of work done to this car has resulted in one of the sharpest Williams Clios we’ve ever driven.