Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup | PH Auction Block

Every car collection needs at least one hot hatch of some kind in it. Doesn’t matter if the portfolio is 30 vehicles strong or a two-car garage, there has to be something small, practical, easygoing and exciting in there. They just suit too many situations to not be included. And they come little better than a Clio 172 Cup. You know that, we know that; the world knows that. But as the Renault rebirth continues apace – remember the Turbo 3E is on the way – so the classics must be looked upon even more fondly. 

The raw stats of a Cup stunned in 2003, so they look even more startling these days. Taking 90kg out of an already svelte 172 was one thing (including the removal of the ABS), but then charging just £12,995 for it guaranteed attention. Even today, that’s only £23k – the Cup was the bargain of the early ’00s, the ultimate giant killer. Because it was so light and so agile, nothing could keep up. And even if it could, such was the fun factor of the Clio that you wouldn’t want to swap anyway. 

The popularity was enough that Cup Clios continued after the 172, but none were quite so extreme in their weight-saving measures or as outrageously affordable. As is often the case, original is best when it comes to stripped-out Renaultsports. When you hear someone say ‘Clio Cup’, it’s a Mondial Blue 172 on Speedline Turinis that comes to mind. It just is. 

As with so many other cheap, fast, fun French cars, many a Cup has fallen by the wayside. It was inevitable, really. But it does make the survivors hugely covetable in a sanitised, safe new car world. This one is going under the PH hammer next week, and looks an absolute gem. The current owner has had it for six years, the mileage is really low, and the modifications are modest. 

Indeed, now is as good a time as any – with such a nice example on offer – to remind ourselves what a perfect-looking little supermini the Clio II was. Not too big, not too small, not too dainty and not too aggressive – just the right kind of attitude for a wannabe tarmac rally car. Even for just 60,000 miles, this one has exceptional paintwork, plus all the right Cup badging and the original lightweight glass. 

The upgrades are all the little things you’d probably do anyway, with an underbonnet brace, new springs, and a K-Tec exhaust to bring the 2.0-litre 16-valve to life. Just as importantly, the vital (as well as all-too-regular) cambelt and water pump change was done last August. These days any 172 Cup is of interest, just as has been the case since 2003, but opportunities to get one this good are surely only going to get rarer. What better time to relive a misspent youth than right now?