Welcome back to Forgotten Sporty Cars at The Garage! In this space we recall an era where small, economy car-based based vehicles were sold with zippy styling. Whether there was any substance to the sizzle we’ll leave for you to judge.

1987 Renault GTA

The Renault GTA was a limited production model based on the Alliance (which was based on the Renault 9). Built in the last full year of Alliance production, the GTA was available as a coupe or convertible. 

The GTA was distinguished from the Alliance by its more powerful engine, a 2.0 liter four cylinder rated at 95hp. A five-speed manual was the only transmission available. Externally, the GTA featured side skirts, front air dam, rear spoiler, no chrome trim and 15″ Ronal alloy wheels. Inside, the GTA featured full instrumentation, well-bolstered seats, and a steering wheel from the European-only Renault R5 Turbo.

The GTA lays claim to the shortest-lived Sporty Car profiled here in The Garage. I actually owned a red GTA coupe when I was 17 years old, until a UPS truck rear-ended me on I-95, which totaled the car. At the time, the GTA was sort of an eccentric alternative to a GTI, Civic Si or Corolla FX-16. The car looked the part, was quick enough, handled well and had quick steering, as I recall. Compared to the competition, fit and finish wasn’t even close; the GTA felt cheap and tinny.  When Chrysler took over AMC in 1987, the Alliance, and the GTA along with it bit the dust.

The Garage thanks AMXFiles for providing information contained in this article.