The Renault 12 is one of those cars that was mass-produced when it was new and mass-destroyed as soon as it became outdated. Although Renault sold hundreds of thousands of 12s from 1969 to 1980 (and many more under the Dacia banner until 2006), both the sedan and the wagon variants of it have become a very rare sight on western European roads. Even at car shows, the odds of finding a non-Gordini 12 are slim to none.
We photographed the metallic green example pictured below in a small town located in central France a couple of weeks ago. It immediately stuck out because it was parked among dozens of late-model crossovers, sedans and people-movers, providing a sobering analysis of exactly how much automotive design has evolved over the past four or so decades.
Time has not been kind to the 12 and nearly every body panel is rusty and / or dented. It’s hard to tell exactly when it was first registered because the license plate isn’t original but the post-facelift front end indicates it was built after 1975. Although it’s rough on the outside, the 12 started right up without the slightest puff of smoke, a sign that the engine is still going strong.
Very popular sight on the roads of Turkey in the 1980s, too! Along with the Murat 124.
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In Argentina Renault 12 is still pretty popular and undestructible.
This car clearly does a job for its owner even after 40 years. Improved accident/crash credentials of newer cars cannot be denied however whilst new cars are “greener” surely getting at least 40 years out of a motor instead of scrapping and building new replacements every 3 – 4 years massively reduces the carbon footprint?
Is there not a case for keeping cars going for longer rather than the relentless pursuit of fashion and fad?
Also the R12 was a good car !!
I agree. It always makes me laugh when someone tells me “my car’s getting old!” Yeah? How old is it? “Oh it’s a 2004.”
The R12 was a great car, they’ve completely disappeared though. No one seems interested in saving them, the only 12s you see at car shows are half-assed Gordini replicas.