Got an old Renault? You can now buy official spare parts and get free repair manuals

If you’re in possession of an old, classic Renault, firstly – congratulations! Double congratulations if you’ve managed to keep an old Dauphine from eating itself on your driveway.

Though, if that’s the case, Renault’s new ‘Originals’ service might be able to help. Via a trio of specialist aftersales vendors, Renault’s making official spare parts available. Stuff for its old mainstream biffers comes from Melun Retro Passion, for its old sportscars via Arnaud Ventoux Pièces, and for interior upholstery through ASCI Sellerie.

There are also 50 repair manuals available free of charge from Renault’s own archives, along with online tutorials to help owners and collectors service and repair their cars.

It adds to the certification and documentation service launched by Renault back in 2022 – allowing owners of classic stuff to procure official details on their chassis, engine and gearbox numbers, and even original paint and colour options. Exciting times.

Renault will launch eight ‘Originals’ garages in France, with an eye on extending that to 25, to cover 80 per cent of the country so that owners can “find an expert within 100km of their home”. It also wants to launch it internationally after that.

“It's a way of protecting our shared automotive heritage, so that we can pass it on to future generations,” said Renault branding boss Arnaud Belloni. Time to uncover that old Dauphine and see what’s left…