The Renault 12 was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1969 and its production stretched from 1969 until 1980 in Western Europe, and until 2000 in Turkey.

The model was popular with the European motoring press for its design styling and economic fuel consumption, although American journalists took issue with its steering system.

Despite the love hate relationship with the motoring press, the Renault 12 was a highly successful small family car, ultimately selling some 2.5 million vehicles.

In January 2011, a Mr Robert Doran purchased this particular 12 TR from a breakers yard, of all places.

It had been recovered from a garage where it had been in storage since 1990; the family of the deceased owner wished for the motor car to be removed and dealt with as swiftly as possible and clearly presumed the Renault to be of little cultural or commercial value.

Mr Doran was alerted to its new home at the scrap yard and paid the handsome sum of £150 after a quick inspection that showed the c...