Masinile Renault 18 de la Comitetul Central / Renault 18 cars for the Central Committee

Patru poze exceptionale, luate de dl Romulus Cristea in decembrie 1989 la garajele CC si puse pe picasaweb. Am scris acum ceva timp despre un Renault 18 care putrezeste in Holboca, judetul Iasi. Se spune ca ar fi fost masina de serviciu a lui Elena Ceausescu - greu de dovedit, dar numarul 1-B-180 oricum semnifica o origine importanta. In afara de exepmlarul alb, si un exemplar greu vizibil intr-o poza cu Cercul Militar in 1986, nu stiam despre alte poze cu Renaulturile 18 aflate in Romania inainte de 1989 ... pana acuma. Se pare ca masinile dn doatarea statului (in primele patru poze) sunt Renault 18 GTL (adica, cu dotari suplimentare dar motor de 1,4 similar cu cel de Dacie) ante 1982. Existau si in Bucuresti si in judete, de obicei pentru primii secretari. R18 de mana a doua a fost importat la greu in anii 90 si majoritatea inca in existenta sunt cazane. Le tin minte pe post de taxiu pana prin 2003: designul nu mi-a placut niciodata, dar scaunele erau extraordinar de comode... O masina, uitata astazi in mare parte, care a avut o istorie mica dar importanta.

Four exceptional images taken by Mr Romulus Cristea in december 1989 at the Central Committee Garages, and placed on picasaweb. I have written about one such car quietly rotting away in Holboca, Iasi county. It is alleged to have been Elena Ceausescu's official car - difficult, though, to prove, although the "small number" plate was certainly for VIP use. Except for this white car, and another example dimply visible in a 1986 photo of the Military Club, I knew of no other images of Romanian Renaults 18 before 1989 ... until know. It seems that the state-owned cars (first four photos) are Renault 18 GTL (ie higher trim level, but with a 1.4 engine similar to the Dacia's), pre 1982. They existed in Bucharest and also the counties, mainly at county party secretary level. The R18 was heavily imported second-hand in the 1990s; the ones still existing are invariably wrecks. I remember them as taxis until about 2003; the design seemed to me to be ugly, athough the seats were unbelievably comfortable... A largely forgotten car - and one with a small but important history.