Timeless Renault collection in Kaniva to go under the hammer

Fourteen Renaults and a long list of collectables are listed through Westech Real Estate as part of Roger Mines' online estate auction.

Mr Mines, of Kaniva in Victoria's Wimmera, collected Renaults for his whole life, his parents' sedan included in the collection.

Roger's son Hamish said ideally, he would have liked to keep the whole collection together and have it displayed somewhere close to the Grampians so clubs could come on a weekend drive to visit.

"The huge storage area required makes this very difficult," he said.

"For myself, and the rest of the family, we are very happy to make available the collection to other Renault enthusiasts who could get an opportunity to either start or finish a Renault project with either cars or parts from Dad's collection."

Throughout his lifetime, Roger had 21 Renaults, but had sold some in more recent years.

"The majority of the cars are rear engine cars which is quite unique," Hamish said.

"My father's grandparents and parents had Renault, and that's where I believe his passion started.

"One vehicle, a Renault 1962 R8 1100cc, has Dad's full name and address on the inside of all the hub caps just in case they fell off and could be returned to his home address in Adelaide.

"My Dad was also into the Rally scene in the 60s and 70s as a Rally navigator.

"Rear engine Renaults were highly regarded and won many world and Australian Rally championships."

Growing up with a father so engrossed with a passion brings fond memories for Hamish.

"I remember driving around Adelaide in my grandparents R8 and holiday trips to Victor Harbour," he said.

"We had a Renault 16TS as a family car, one of the first hatchback cars introduced to the market.

"I remember it well as the starter motor used to play up, and Dad gave instruction for my mother to carry a lump of 4x2 timber and a hammer in the back of the car in case it jammed.

"We would have to open the bonnet and help Mum belt the starter motor with the block of wood, and the starter motor would kick into gear and away we would go again.

"Despite the starter motor issues it had plenty of power and was pretty exciting to drive when I was getting my learners."

Of course, Roger had his favourites within the collection, and so does Hamish - although he isn't listed for auction.

"My favourite car is the 1962 Floride convertible which I have one of my mates storing for me," he said.

"It's not in the estate sale.

"The next one is the R5 Lecar which was an Australian French Consulate car.

"I was showing a few people from Melbourne through the collection, and they asked me what my Dad's favourite one was, and I honestly don't know.

"He loved Renault cars and would talk to anyone about them who wanted to listen. Sometimes I think he was a people person rather than a Renault person.

"If I was going to pick one for him it's the blue 4CV that we nearly finished restoring before he passed."

Roger was a past president and life member of the Bordertown Vehicle Restorers Club.

"His number one on the bucket list was to complete the project of the blue 4CV and display it at his club car shows," Hamish said.

"He would have loved to show the blue 4CV at the annual events of the Club Automobile Francais in South Australia and the 4CV Register of Australia in its biannual event in NSW.

"Towards the end of his illness we were able get Roger and his blue 4CV to the Kaniva Car Show."

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Hamish said the interest in the collection had been overwhelming.

"The interest has been huge," he said.

"Not so much from regional Victoria but from SA, NSW, QLD and Melbourne.

"There has been quite a few international enquiries as well.

"I think a lot of Renault enthusiasts have been keen to finish or start their Renault projects during COVID.

"The other attraction is almost all of Dad's collection are in original condition in various states of condition from well-weathered through to stored originals.

"It's been a good choice to list the sale on auctionsplus.com.au through Stuart Kyle, so everybody has the chance to participate.

"My wife and I spent a lot of our earlier careers in Kaniva so we have tried to promote the town as well."