Repost: African Turbo

1982 Renault 20 Turbo 4x4 Paris-Dakar

First published in December 2012


"Fait attention au vaches!"... "aaargh" ... "C'est bon. C'est bon"

Short shorts, t-shirts and unfastened helmets mixed with much gallic arguing, it's hard to believe these two managed to get anywhere, much less win the Dakar outright.    In fact Claude and Bernard Marreau were by then veterans of the first three editions of the desert classic and had a long previous experience in African Rally Raids.

A 1982 GoPro equivalent...

Cheers then for the brothers who 30 years ago, not only dodged african cows, managed not to strangle each other  or kill their Safari edition 4WD Renault 20 Turbo but also made this film without the aid of  a single GoPro!

The soundtrack gets pretty silly at times but stick with it and keep in mind that in the 80's turbos were a new and somewhat dodgy technology,  ballsy by Renault to have the confidence their turbo engine would prove reliable in that hellish torture test.

The engine in the car was a carburated 1.6 L  out of an R18 Turbo,  good for 132 hp.  5 speed transmission, rear locking differential.     Front suspension was  double a arms, rear was a solid axle.
It has been restored, you can find that story HERE

Dakar, 30 years ago

(Photo:Porsche AG)

You might be following the 2015 edition of the Dakar as it winds its way through the scorching high deserts of Argentina and Chile.   In 2015 you have the luxury of high definition video clips delivered via YouTube and timing information in real time.

 Dakar is now an international media event.

Thirty years ago it was quite different.  In 1984 the Paris-Algiers-Dakar race was just becoming known outside adventure rally enthusiasts circles and Porsche mounted a first manufacturer effort to conquer the deserts of West Africa.   Races were immortalized in long form documentaries.  

Dakar is still epic, no doubt, but watching Jackie Ickx trying to fix an electrical issue on his 953 with a folding knife just makes you wonder if this was not epic on a whole other level.

Like this?  Make sure you check out the amazing 1982 edition film HERE

African Turbo

1982 Renault 20 Turbo 4x4 Paris-Dakar

"Fait attention au vaches!"... "aaargh" ... "C'est bon. C'est bon"

Short shorts, t-shirts and unfastened helmets mixed with much gallic arguing, it's hard to believe these two managed to get anywhere, much less win the Dakar outright.    In fact Claude and Bernard Marreau were by then veterans of the first three editions of the desert classic and had a long previous experience in African Rally Raids.

A 1982 GoPro equivalent...

Cheers then for the brothers who 30 years ago, not only dodged african cows, managed not to strangle each other  or kill their Safari edition 4WD Renault 20 Turbo but also made this film without the aid of  a single GoPro!

The soundtrack gets pretty silly at times but stick with it and keep in mind that in the 80's turbos were a new and somewhat dodgy technology,  ballsy by Renault to have the confidence their turbo engine would prove reliable in that hellish torture test.

The engine in the car was a carburated 1.6 L  out of an R18 Turbo,  good for 132 hp.  5 speed transmission, rear locking differential.     Front suspension was  double a arms, rear was a solid axle.
It has been restored, you can find that story HERE