C L A s s I C A N d C o L L E C T o R sRodeo 40 th AnniversaryThe <strong>Renault</strong> Rodeo was a series ofsmall open-top automobilesproduced between 1970 and 1987by ACL, later called Teilhol, for<strong>Renault</strong>. In total there were fourgenerations of the Rodeo.At first the car was called ACL Rodeo andthe name was changed to <strong>Renault</strong> Rodeoin July 1976. Car was front wheel drivebut could be ordered also with four wheeldrive technic supplied by Sinpar.Rodeo (1981-1987) Also known as Rodeo5Rodeos were a number of similar ideas forcars, both made as “production” vehicleslike the Plein Air - a 4 seat open top<strong>Renault</strong> 4,Semi Production like the JP4 - aShortened Plein Air in ItalyThe production dates for the Rodeo wereas follows:Rodeo 4 (1970-1981)A new model with a smaller and entirelynew body replaced the Rodeos 4 and 6 in1981, simply called the Rodeo. A limitedseries of all wheel drive versions werebuilt in 1984 only, called the RodeoHoggar.and low volume specials like those basedon the JP4 were made for the UK market.The original Rodeo 4 was based on theplatform of the <strong>Renault</strong> 4 van, with an845 cc engine.Rodeo 6 (1972-1981)In 1972, a second model appeared, nowknown as the Rodeo 6. It was still basedon the platform of the R4 van, but withthe 1108 cc engine of the <strong>Renault</strong> 6. In1979, the Rodeo 6 was improved andadopted the 1289 cc engine of the <strong>Renault</strong>5. The Rodeo 4 and the Rodeo 6 coexistedfrom 1972 to 1981.The "Trafic" RodeoThe Rodeo name was also used by<strong>Renault</strong> in Argentina to designate a localvariant of the <strong>Renault</strong> Trafic (1st.generation), which had a flat rear chassisand a flatbed with dropping sides and rear(similar to a pick-up). The flatbed wasdesigned to be removable, allowingRodeo buyers to use it as a rolling chassisfor mounting specific rear compartments.Production 1970-1987 60,000 producedLength3,660 mm (1<strong>44</strong>.1 in)Width1,589 mm (62.6 in)Height1,595 mm (62.8 in)Kerb weight 645kg 860 kgFollowing on and in parallel to theThese were not marketed as Rodeos andunlike the Rodeo retain the shape, if notthe majority of the panels, that were onthe original vehicle and look like thedonor vehicles that created them. Alsothere was a <strong>Renault</strong> 5 as a half top.Some were produced simply to use up thelast remaining vehicles when productionchanged or ended.Alasdair Worsley18 R E N o T E s m A G A Z I N ER E N O T E S M A G A Z I N E
C L A s s I C A N d C o L L E C T o R s<strong>Renault</strong> 20/30 - 35 th AnniversaryBetween 1975 and 1983, <strong>Renault</strong> In the mid-1980s, the then state-owned largely the same as the R20 GTL.produced its executive class Romanian manufacturer Dacia produced a (october 1978) - Introduction of the R30“grand tourer” models, the “20” small number of <strong>Renault</strong> 20s under the TX. It had a more powerful Bosch K-and the “30”. The first had a name Dacia 2000, which were reserved Jetronic fuel-injected 1<strong>44</strong> PS (106 kW)choice of 1.6- and 2-litre petrol, plus a 2.1-litre diesel engine.The second had a 2.7-litre V6 petrolengine. Equipped with power-assistedsteering, independent suspension, seatcombinations, which could providebetween 14 and 49 cubic feet of storage; itoffered four-door central locking with animpact de-activator, internal headlightlevel adjustment, sumptuous seats andcarpeting, six armrests (in the 30), theycould carry five people very comfortablyand were the flagships of the <strong>Renault</strong>range.In 1981 the 20/30 range, for the UK wasmodified. The new 20TX was introducedwhich had a 2.2-litre petrol engine, alloywheels, an updated dashboard , infra-redentirely for the dignitaries and secretpolice of the Communist government ledby Nicolae Ceauşescu. A speciallyprepared <strong>Renault</strong> 20 Turbo 4x4 driven byBernard Marreau won the Paris-Alger-Dakar Rally in 1982.production figures:R1270: 20/30 Turbo-D - 27,601R1271: 20 L/TL/GTL - 187,001R1272: 20 TS - 201,401R1273 No figures availableR1275: 30 TS - 68,401R1276: 20 TD/GTD - 84,801R1277: 20 LS/TS - 100,401R1278: 30 TX - 40,401R1279: 20 TX - 33,801Timeline:(march 1975) - Introduction of the<strong>Renault</strong> 30 TS, a large 5-door hatchbackpowered by the 2664 cc V6 PRV engine(developed jointly between Peugeot,<strong>Renault</strong> and Volvo), with a choice ofeither a 4-speed manual or 3-speedautomatic gearbox. It had power-assistedsteering, two twin round Quartz-Iodide(QI) headlights, electric front windowsand central locking.version of the 2664 cc V6 engine with 5-speed manual or 3-speed automaticgearbox. It offered alloy wheels, allroundelectric windows, electric sunroof,velour upholstery, and all-round headrestraints.(1979) - Revisions to all models: driver'sside rear fog light and rear seat belts. TheR20 TS received a new cooling fan,inertia reel rear seat belts, a newwindscreen wiper switch, and the choiceof a 5-speed gearbox. The R30 TS wasfitted with a more powerful 130 PS (96kW) engine, and small pocket in thedrivers sun visor. Introduction of the R20LS, having the same mechanicalspecification as the R20 TS, but theequipment specification of the R20 TL.(september 1979) - Introduction of theR20 diesel (in TD and GTD forms) withnew 2068 cc diesel (67 PS (49 kW))engine, 5-speed gearbox, negative offsetfront suspension, and larger four-studwheel rims.(1980) - All models were given apantograph driver’s side wiper, and acompletely restyled interior, with newcentral "plip" locking, cruise (November 1975) - Introduction of the dashboard and instrument panel from thecontrol/speed limiter, headlight and rearscreen wash-wipers, remote external doormirror adjustment and four head-rests.Although the 30TX had been unveiled atthe 1978 Paris Motor Show, it, too, had itsspecification up-graded, with additionalsix door central "plip" locking (rear hatchand fuel filler flap), rear passengercourtesy light, 15 seconds interior lightdelay, an “overhead” bulb and doormonitor, disc brakes all around and BoschK-Jetronic fuel injection to feed its V6unit.The new breed of TX were produced foreighteen months only until October 1983,when the 20/30 range was superseded bythe R25. In eight years, approximately750,000 Grand Tourers were created, yetthere are probably less than half-a-dozenworking examples, in the UK andcertainly more in Europe.Andy Mitchell<strong>Renault</strong> 20, in L, TL and GTLspecifications, with the smaller 4-cylinder1647 cc (90 PS (66 kW)) all alloy R16engine and 4-speed gearbox. The L hadvery basic trim and no hubcaps. The TLhad a better equipment level, while theGTL had much the same equipment levelas the TS. Automatic transmission wasoptional on the R20 TL and R20 GTL.Quartz Iodide Headlights optional on allR20 models.(1976) - The R20’s 1647cc engine had thepower rating increased to 96 PS (71 kW).All models received a restyled instrumentpanel visor. The R30 TS’s power droppedfrom 130 to 125 PS (96 to 92 kW).Optional wheels with steel and alloybecoming available with Michelin TRXtyres.(July 1977) - Introduction of the R20 TS.It had a new single OHC 1995 cc engine(rated at 109 PS (80 kW)), with the choiceof a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automaticgearbox. The equipment level remained<strong>Renault</strong> Fuego. All petrol models receiveda new type of automatic transmissionoption. The R20 TL/GTL were fitted witha new alternator with built-in electronicregulator and new 3-spoke alloy wheelrims. The R20 TS now had the wheel rimsfrom the R30 TS. The R30 TS/TX wasfitted with a chrome grille surround.(1981) - All R20 models received newdual-circuit braking system and negativeoffset front suspension. The R20 GTL wasdiscontinued.(1981) - R30TS discontinued. A new 2.2-litre engine rated at 115 PS (85 kW) wasintroduced in the new 20 TX. A new 2.0-litre diesel engine rated at 60 PS (<strong>44</strong> kW)was added to the R20 range.(1982) - A new turbo-diesel enginedelivering 85 PS (63 kW) and derivedfrom the naturally-aspirated diesel enginewas introduced in the new R30 Turbo D.(1983) - The R20 and R30 ceaseproduction, to be replaced by <strong>Renault</strong> 25.Alasdair Worsley & <strong>Renault</strong> resources.R E N o T E s m A G A Z I N E195
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