VENTURI Atlantique 300 Bi Turbo - Online Auction

It appears that my advertised price from a couple years ago was not so far away.

Good luck to the new owner of the Venturi.

The auction website from Paris doesn't show the results yet. But I'll contact them and find out.

Glad to see everyone knew of this auction. I was one of the hopeful bidders but glad in a way I didn't win as I am not sure I would want to be the custodian of such a rare car. I hope the person who bought it isn't going to flip it for instant profit or send another RHD to France.

Nothing wrong with being a custodian of such a rare car - take it from me! Lots of the parts are generic Renault stuff, and the more rare items can generally be sourced from the ex-factory stock, now at Extreme Limite in France. I bought a few bits and bobs for mine when I was down there in September. I'm planning another trip there for next summer, so will probably book mine in for a "factory" service and few minor fettles.

If you see another one come up for sale within your budget, don't let the rarity factor put you off. Indeed, for me, the rarity is a big draw. Why be just another 911 owner when you can be an Atlantique owner?!

Quick update. The Atlantique 300 for sale at Aguttes in France sold for EUR 60,000.

Oooh, good price. But how did you find that out as the Auction site still reads " Resultat non Communique"? I thought the Auction House was being a little Coy!
The Transcup made e30k. I wonder what the only RHS one might be worth? It would be nice to return it to the UK. Looks as if it might still be for sale...see.... http://www.fa-automobile.com/liste-par- ... &model=241
....and Philippe's old 300!
Ewan... did you get any response from Walker Singleton as to who bought the BiTurbo and whether he/she would be interested in joining us?

For the price of the car in France I contacted Aguttes direct. The only unsold car is the Trophy. I think that maybe the deal on the 300 was concluded just after the auction, rather than during it.

I did request WS give the new owner of the RHD 300 my details, but they've not contacted me as yet.

Hi guys, glad to introduce myself at the ecstatic now owner of S877KGC, residing in Suffolk, would love to have some info as to history from simonsays74 . It came with a leaky water pump so having clutch and cam belt done while engine is out. Nearly had a disaster as there is an electronic water pump override button on the dash by the ignition with no info about it, looked like it was part of imobiliser, anyone know why this was added (why would you switch off the watt pump). Glad of any feedback. Steve

Hi Steve - welcome to the world of Venturi ownership! You've chosen well as you have a great car at a good price. IMHO it could have made £10k or so more at a specialist sports car auction.

I have the only other RHD twin turbo Atlantique so it would be good to keep in touch so we can learn from each other's experiences. Out of interest, who do you intend to use for servicing?

I'll be taking mine down to Extreme Limite at the Atlantique test track near Nantes in the summer, so if you fancy coming in convoy let me know. (This garage is staffed by ex Venturi mechanics and bought all the tools and spare parts when the factory closed.)

Feel free to get in touch with me via my office (www.coppercoat-superyacht.com)

Ewan

Hi Ewan, road trip to Nantes sounds like a great idea, might have to take you up on that. I have a local garage that looks after our business vehicles, and from reading through all the posts here the past couple of days, shouldn't be anything complicated, they are all enthusiasts of the older car, mostly Ford RS and 90's BMW. Did you bid on the auction? I did make the cardinal sin and bid over my max ( by about 5k) but I really had to have it. I also was following the Brooklands auction earlier in the year, and had been hunting for it since. It has amazing power, when my mechanic took it out he thought the speedo was kmh! I have Spectre R42 a1998 built in Dorset by Ray Christopher and have been speaking to one of the original build team at Redmist autos, so I could be in your neck of the woods. Steve.brown@ipswichglass.co.uk
Any info you have learned would be appreciated as I mentioned engine is currently out for leaky water pump, having clutch and cam belt replaced at the same time, and checking alternator and starter motor, as when the car arrived the battery was dead, but the new battery drained very quickly. Any similar issues? The driver seat needs a little attention and the dash lights are very dull, fuel dash light out completely and the rear view mirror boss is broken, all original glass though,
Kind regards
Steve

[BIG_MVS]

Have the Bi Turbo's still got the UN1?

I would be interested to know which clutch you are installing Steve if that's the case?

Also I would love to see pics of your Spectre?

What clutch would you suggest, I am afraid I am no mechanic, I know where the fuel goes and the key goes, after that, my skills are limited. I use a pretty good garage near our factory, they look after all my cars pretty well, but pleased to take any advise. The blue car is the Spectre R42, of 19 made this was the last one, my car was featured in classic + car mag google "britains forgotten 170 mph super car" the yellow car is Spectre R45 one of 2 prototypes the only road going one, all carbon fibre both cars have same ford 4.6 V8, my Facebook Stephen light brown has an album called "cars" with more pics

I remember going to the Spectre factory (well, small industrial unit) here in Dorset maybe 20 years ago. But I wasn't brave enough then for such a left-fixed choice so bought a Maserati Ghibli Cup (itself hardly mainstream!). In those days the Maserati importer was based in Dorset also (Meridien Modena).

To check what clutch you need for the Atlantique send an email to Tony at Extreme Limite and include your chasis number.

And do as much work as you can afford while the engine is out, as you don't want to have it out again in the near future. As a small example, change the spark plugs, as access to them is not straight forward!

[BIG_MVS]

Nice Spectre's!

I'm pretty sure the 300 Atlantique has the UN1 and uses an A610 clutch. Not sure about the Bi Turbo ones..

The reason I ask is that the 610 clutch is still unavailable ( and my car needs one soon). I read on the french forum that a 300 owner has put a GTA Clutch in and it's holding up so far. He did say he only uses it for high days and holidays and not track days etc. That's probably where I am with my A610 so may have to go for a GTA clutch if the 610 one doesn't come back available.

Friction plate for A610 clutch is the same as the GTA.