oldrevellfan Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 20 hours ago, Faust said: Wow! Now THAT is some French ugliness!!! You know I love Hellers, and I love to hate French cars, and this one... that's so disgustingly ugly that I'm going to be getting one if I can find it. I truly don't get the Renault design philosophy. Some of their cars are okay. The rest.... like the 5, the 14, 16 and lots of others are just hideous. This thing looks like a constipated puffer fish. You know that makes me want it. I don't agree with you, the 5 is a variation of the AMC pacer... the 16 as a sort of 64 barracuda grill shape, and should make a great lowrider.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 2 hours ago, oldrevellfan said: I don't agree with you, the 5 is a variation of the AMC pacer... the 16 as a sort of 64 barracuda grill shape, and should make a great lowrider.. Athough AMC sold the R5 as the Le Car, it was nowhere close to a Pacer. Whole different car. There was a bit of a joke here in the US that Renault could sell the Pacer calling it the The Voiturette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faust Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I think comparing that repugnant little toad the Renault 5 to the bloated bullfrog that was the Pacer is an egregious insult. The problem is... I don't know who should feel worse! Sorry... can't buy in. So much gag reflex when I see many different French cars, but the 5 has always given me the creeps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, I love the design of the French cars, they dare to think outside the box and spend a bit more time on the design than other manufacturers did. Nowadays that is not really happening anymore as most cars can basically be brand-switched with different lights and emblems. I have to say that there is quite a difference between the American 5 (leCar) and the original 5 (the European). The American version is a European one, with a lot of modifications to meet the required american laws, which wasn't counted for in the original design and that shows. But the European version is in balance and quite stylish, compared to other European cars from that era, especially compared to the German counterparts. I am a second-generation 5 (super5 or super-cinque) owner and I do love the design of that small car. I have the sporty version, which has a small turbo-charged I4 engine, but generates enough oomph to have fun. even though it has only 120 hp, it also weighs about 1600 pounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Janssens Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 5 hours ago, The Creative Explorer said: I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, I love the design of the French cars, they dare to think outside the box and spend a bit more time on the design than other manufacturers did. Nowadays that is not really happening anymore as most cars can basically be brand-switched with different lights and emblems. I have to say that there is quite a difference between the American 5 (leCar) and the original 5 (the European). The American version is a European one, with a lot of modifications to meet the required american laws, which wasn't counted for in the original design and that shows. But the European version is in balance and quite stylish, compared to other European cars from that era, especially compared to the German counterparts. I am a second-generation 5 (super5 or super-cinque) owner and I do love the design of that small car. I have the sporty version, which has a small turbo-charged I4 engine, but generates enough oomph to have fun. even though it has only 120 hp, it also weighs about 1600 pounds. A good friend of mine had a Turbo, (his trade-in was a Golf II GTI), it was fast as hell, later he got a Clio turbo, but then got married and a kid, so his next car was a Megane Diesel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 3 hours ago, Luc Janssens said: A good friend of mine had a Turbo, (his trade-in was a Golf II GTI), it was fast as hell, later he got a Clio turbo, but then got married and a kid, so his next car was a Megane Diesel I got married, have 2 kids and......: My other car is a Megane diesel......... ? But, I bought this back in 2002 and still have it. Just bought a place where I can have it actually at home and the plan is to get it back on the road this year. It hasn't been since 2006. They feel quite fast, and the turbo lag is very entertaining ? It is still a honest ride, steering is responsive, handling is like it should in a hot hatch and they smell like petrol ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 On 1/17/2021 at 7:01 AM, The Creative Explorer said: I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, I love the design of the French cars, they dare to think outside the box and spend a bit more time on the design than other manufacturers did. Nowadays that is not really happening anymore as most cars can basically be brand-switched with different lights and emblems. I have to say that there is quite a difference between the American 5 (leCar) and the original 5 (the European). The American version is a European one, with a lot of modifications to meet the required american laws, which wasn't counted for in the original design and that shows. But the European version is in balance and quite stylish, compared to other European cars from that era, especially compared to the German counterparts. I am a second-generation 5 (super5 or super-cinque) owner and I do love the design of that small car. I have the sporty version, which has a small turbo-charged I4 engine, but generates enough oomph to have fun. even though it has only 120 hp, it also weighs about 1600 pounds. Good for you! Looks like a fun ride (especially with 120 hp under the hood for its weight). I don't see anything ugly about your car. You are rigth., U.S. government regulations in the '70s ruined the looks of many foreign cars. The 5 MPH bumpers and the sealed-beam headlights just to mention the main reasons for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Janssens Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 It's here!!!!! Much more (kit review and build) on Guido Kehder's website.... Pic courtesy of Guido Kehder. Heller/ Glow2b Renault ESTAFETTE Gendarmerie M 1:24 - Die Leitplanke (die-leitplanke.de) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 Not really here yet, it is only a testshot. Might take a while before it is really 'here'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Well, Patience is a virtue! After (I believe) 6 years after it's first announcement, both versions of the Heller Renault Estafette are finally at the workbench! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 And for the info; bot kits are identical in parts! The ONLY difference is the decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hall Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 1 minute ago, The Creative Explorer said: And for the info; bot kits are identical in parts! The ONLY difference is the decals. Interesting...from the box art, it looks like the police one is a window van while the other is a panel van. So they have inserts for the window openings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 6 minutes ago, Rob Hall said: Interesting...from the box art, it looks like the police one is a window van while the other is a panel van. So they have inserts for the window openings? No, it is even weirder than that. The panelvan sides are molded in grey plastic and included in both boxes, but the passengervan sides are completely molded in clear plastic! and also included in both boxes. So, it doesn't matter which version you want; just go for the cheapest box you can find, unless you want the specific decals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hall Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 13 minutes ago, The Creative Explorer said: No, it is even weirder than that. The panelvan sides are molded in grey plastic and included in both boxes, but the passengervan sides are completely molded in clear plastic! and also included in both boxes. That reminds of how Heller does interior door panels on some kits---clear pieces w/ the window molded as part of the inner door panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Creative Explorer Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Just now, Rob Hall said: That reminds of how Heller does interior door panels on some kits---clear pieces w/ the window molded as part of the inner door panel. and I don't like that...., but no choice 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Janssens Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 A new version... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrb124@sbcglobal.net Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 Typically so French weird and fun. Some way some how it begs for customization and hot rodding. Would have to really figure out a plan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64Comet404 Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 They need to add the camper conversion interior to that one! I don't know if there was one, but it looks the part. I'm not going to consider getting the highroof version until I finally get the regular kit in my hands. Hopefully it shows up in the mail this week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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