(Discontinued) Renault RE-20 Turbo 1980 with Rain tires, Winner, Grand Prix of Austria, Drivers: Jean-Pierre Jabouille

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manufacturer brand, id & category

Exoto 97092 (Grand Prix Classics)

scale

1:18

color

Yellow / White with decals

category

out of stock
This model is discontinued!

The Model

1980 Renault RE-20 Turbo Technology Champions

Renault returned to Grand Prix racing in 1977, having won the very first Grand Prix ever in 1906!

The comeback was built around a superb iron-block, belt driven, four-cam, V6 engine. Although their idea did not produce the hoped for Championship, it did win many races, and they did win on technology: for they led the way for all others to follow.

Furious detail!

Our miniature replica, designed in grand 1:18 scale, is a thing of rare beauty. Special features include a removable cowling to showcase an unprecedented level of furious detail: fully wired and plumbed V6 Renault-Gordini engine, twin turbos coupled to accurate intercoolers, water and oil cooling radiators in photo-etch, fully detailed cockpit with suede-like covered seat, all aluminum tub, pipes, hydraulic hoses, wires, and much more.

Functioning features include: true-to-the-original suspension system with genuine coil springs and mechanical links, sophisticated steering mechanism, and rotating disc brakes.

The Original

1980 Renault RE-20 Turbo Winner, Grand Prix of Austria driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille

Jean-Pierre Jabouille was nearing the end of his Formula One career in 1980, but the popular French driver had paid his dues to the national team, Renault. After enduring the company's debut World Championship season in 1977, with a car of singular power, Jabouille helped develop reliability of the ground-breaking Renault-Gordini 1.5 litre twin-turbo V6. An evolution of this engine powered Renault's 1980 RE-20, liveried in bright yellow and white and sponsored by Elf. In 1979 Jabouille brought Renault its first victory of the modern era, along with four pole positions, raising expectations for championship contention in 1980.

Although he attained two pole positions in 1980, Jabouille's only win of the season came at Osterreichring, the race later famous as the debut of Lotus driver Nigel Mansell. In high altitude the Renaults had a natural advantage, and Jabouille qualified second behind his teammate, Rene Arnoux. Behind them on the grid were the Williams-Cosworths and the Ligiers. At the start Alan Jones pressed his Williams past Jabouille and Arnoux for the lead. By the third lap it was clear that the Renaults' power superiority remained. On the fourth lap the order reversed, Arnoux leading from Jabouille and Jones. As dicing continued behind them, the Renault drivers drove away only to find that pit stops dropped Arnoux into 10th place, and gave Jabouille the lead. As the race waned, Jabouille developed tire problems but handled the car skillfully to take victory by one second over Alan Jones.

( Courtesy of exoto.com )

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