From the Sahara Desert Expedition desk comes this 1971 Renault R16. Owner Ken Nelson’s latest excursion was to the Concours d’Lemons event. Ken reports he’s already loading the machine for its next outing – this time to the desert. The R16 is indeed a rugged automobile and features and impressive amount of cargo space for journeying from its current home base in Palo Alto, California. The 1600cc mid-ships mounted engine drives the front wheels, which are also equipped with power disc brakes. Ken reports 35 mpg fuel economy and a healthy top speed of 90 mph, although not simultaneously. When Ken isn’t driving the R16 he spends his time restoring various orphans of the automotive world. With a garage full of Jowett Jupiters and a Traction Avant converted by the Vietnamese after they kicked the French out into cut-down sedan undergoing the rustification process in the driveway, Ken relies on the durable R16 for practical and stylish transportation. “It’s my work truck”, said Ken.
The green R16 started it’s North American life on the Monterey Peninsula, and sat after use for a period of five years before its owner bestowed the beauty onto a local serviceman. The assignment in Vandenburg shifted to Greenland, and the mysterious serviceman placed the mighty R16 on eBay for the lucky winner. Ken won out over the other bidders for the car, taking delivery of the R16 for the princely sum of $127.50, American. After a going over of the mechanicals, Ken has since logged over 15,000 mostly trouble free miles. Excluding gasoline, oil, new tires, and insurance, Ken calculates the operating cost of the R16 at a thrifty 85-cents a mile. The extra-superb suspension relies on torsion bars, the setup of which gives the R16 a slightly different wheelbase on right and left sides. Whether this uneven suspension design precluded later asymmetrical French exterior styling adventures such as the Renault Avantime is unknown.
Cool car, Ken. Do you think the D-B LeMans will be ready for next year’s event?
Owned more than one of these back in the day. Better than one might believe it could ever be. Very nice ride, reliable, durable and space efficient. The R16 engine and transaxle give birth to the Lotus Europa too. Too bad most car folks don’t recognize what a significant French car this is.
Very cool car! glad someone is keeping these older cars alive.
I’m still driving my Renault 16 through the hills of New Jersey and it is hard to find another car as roomy, comfortable and economical as this one. It’s really the jewel of my collection! Bravo to Ken for keeping his going, too!
Matt Cotton
Lake Parsippany, NJ
Great car! Have loved the Renault 16 since my first trip to Europe in 1968. If you ever hear of a roadworthy specimen for sale please drop me an email.