1994 Renault Clio Williams

This Clio Williams is number 285 of the 390 delivered to the UK.

The Bonhams specialist (Adam) to whom this car has been consigned has actually spent the last few years following the progress of its nut and bolt restoration on a Facebook Clio Williams Owners Group.

That’s the sort of thing he does in his spare time.

So, he knows, as does the vendor, just how exceptionally good it is.

The car has had only four owners from new and was off the road from 2006 to 2022, when the vendor began the job of restoring it to its considerable former glory.

The restoration saw all and any bodywork issues addressed and included an engine and gearbox rebuild, and a full mechanical and electrical overhaul.

The car has covered around 1,000 miles since the work was completed.

It is in extraordinary condition and drives exactly as you would hope and expect of one of the best-handling and most revered hot hatches ever built.
 

In our opinion, the car’s proportions look even better today than they did when it was new, thanks largely to the propensity of every subsequent generation of cars to get fatter, wider, longer and heavier.

This car just looks entirely fit for purpose, and its purpose is to be grin-inducingly responsive, quick, agile, balanced and fun, with just a little lift-off oversteer to keep you honest.

It has a wheel at each corner, two doors, a hatch-back, and a squat, focussed stance that’s accentuated by some signature steroidal bulges to the wheel arches and bonnet.

It has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

The bodywork is untroubled by any dinks, dents, creases, ripples, folds or other aberrations of any consequence whatsoever.

The panel gaps and shut lines are as crisp and even as anything Good King Wenceslas ever looked out upon.

As you know, Clio Williams’ were only ever available in one colour – and what a fabulous colour it is.

The '449' Metallic Sports Blue finish has a real depth of shine and lustre to it, and it pops, sings and dazzles when the sunlight catches it.

The gold wheels, which are wholly unacquainted with kerbs or other roadside obstacles, offer the perfect aesthetic balance to the rich blue hue, as do the gold-coloured ‘Williams’ decals.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are in irreproachable condition, as are the matching Toyo Proxes tyres.

Faults?

Well, it’s our job to point out deviations and aberrations in any car, but we really struggled here.

The following observations fall firmly into the category of nit-picking.

There’s a very small stone chip on the driver's side door trim, an equally small paint blemish to the bonnet, and a tiny cut to the o/s/r bumper trim.

That’s it. 
 

You won’t be shocked or surprised to learn that the interior is every bit as impressively preserved as its exterior counterpart.

The fabric seats are upholstered in a kind of random monochromatic/grey pattern that looks a little like an electrocardiogram print-out.

We think it’s both attractive and distinctive.

We also think that Renault couldn’t have chosen a pattern that would be better at concealing any blemishes or signs of wear.

Genius.

Anyway, aside from a very small scuff visible on the outer bolster of the front passenger seat squab, we’re confident that there’s no wear to see – even if you could see it.

The ‘W’ monogrammed front seats are comfortable, supportive and fully functional.

The rear seats, as ever, look as if they’ve rarely played host to anything weightier than a small bag of shopping or a Panama hat.

The blue seat belts offer a delightful colour contrast, as do the carpets and the mats, the latter bearing ‘Williams’ logos.

The door cards are in fine fettle, as is the headlining.

The pristine boot is lined with blue carpets which lift up to reveal fresh and unbroken '449' Metallic Sports Blue paint – which is always a good sign.

Aside from one or two scuffs to the grey plastic cowling around the gear lever, the interior plastics on the dashboard and instrument binnacle are unfaded, unbroken and unmarked.

The fat steering wheel, which is blissfully analogue and free of any buttons, dials or paddles, is in fine order, as are the gear lever, handbrake and other controls.

As far as we and the vendor are aware, all dials, knobs, switches, buttons and levers do what they’re told promptly and accurately.

In short, it’s all very good indeed.

We’ve seen grubbier operating theatres than the engine bay and undersides on this car, and we’d give it five stars on a food hygiene rating, never mind a mechanic’s report.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that it had spent most of its life lying on a chaise longue with its feet up.

Everything in the engine bay is squeaky clean and minty fresh. Ditto the undersides.
 

The car comes with a full Renault main dealer service history from new until 2006, when it came off the road and was in storage awaiting restoration to commence in 2021.

There are countless bills, invoices and receipts attesting to the car’s nut and bolt restoration thereafter.

Most of the bodywork restoration was carried out by Motoburo Ltd of Brighouse, West Yorkshire.

The engine was rebuilt, the clutch and braking systems overhauled, and all mechanicals and electrics turned into the best possible versions of themselves by Yorkshire Classic Cars.

The total cost of the restoration is in excess of £20,000 and you don’t need to spend long looking at this stunning vehicle to see how and why.

The car comes with its books, guides and manuals, full sets of keys, a recent HPI report, and a V5C.

The car’s MoT certificate is valid until 22.3.26 and, in common with every other MoT certificate it’s earned since returning to the road in 2022, there are no advisories whatsoever. 
 

The days when you could pick up a cheap MK1 Golf GTi, 205 GTi, RS Ford, etc, are long gone, and prices for a good Clio Williams have followed an equally steep trajectory.

But this one is a quantum leap forward from being merely ‘good’.

It is exceptional in every way and must be one of the very best, properly sorted, no-expense-spared, ready-to-rumble examples of this seminal model you could hope to find anywhere.

Luckily for you, someone else has done all of the considerable heavy lifting to get it into this shape.

All you have to do is enjoy it.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £20,000 - £30,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.