I had previously owned the phase 1 Clio v6 230 bhp version and couldn't fault it in any way. Many slated the early v6, took lots of pictures but never actually drove one for more than five minutes to find out just how great this car really is.

Sadly whilst parked in the road briefly, a driver of a stolen car collided with a few parked cars in his attempt to get away. The damage to the v6 was beyond economic repair and it was declared an insurance write-off. By this time I had the Clio v6 bug well and truly spreading through my veins, so time for a phase 2 replacement.

Enter the Renaultsport Clio v6 255 in Deep Bronze.

"Not many of those about", I hear you say. Well you'd be right, only 354 phase 2 V6s in total came to our shores, and this particular car is also a one off in the UK as it's the only one finished in Deep Bronze illusion paint. Just one of the 'special' colours offered by Renaultsport with their personalised I.D. options plan.

The moment I caught a glimpse of the Deep Bronze I immediately thought this was the right choice for me. Different but not too strikingly youthful. As it turns out I was the only person to order this colour.

Renaultsport had made many changes to this version. Reading the technical jargon I was in for a treat and their tweaks were indeed noticeable. More power improved handling, and the most obvious luxury styling enhancements of a later model Clio. Who could ask for more?

I found the improved power of +25bhp was certainly obvious, but I felt the car still had potential for more or perhaps I had mastered the art of driving this unique car and was ready for a bit more fun. So having a rough idea of what I was after, it was time to do some research into what could be available. I soon found myself looking for the right people to turn my ideas into reality.

Enter the 'professional' car tuners............

I found a recommended tuner in Kimbolton, Cambridge - Grey Devil Industries (GDI), a long way from home here in Essex. I ran my ideas past them and they were very much up for the task. They put their heads together and came up with an upgrades package which suited my needs, to increase the power, but keep the car looking as standard as possible. As much as I admire them, a stripped out throttle bodied track car was not my goal.

The tuner's plans failed badly, some of this down to their lack of management and poor customer service, and some of it down to their shear inability to take good care of the car. No proof of any of the power increases was given, or could be found. Suspect engine failures and rebuilds were all charged to the customer, as this was "unknown territory". Many months and even years passed with me loyally holding on and hoping for the best, but sadly the car was going through the dreaded one step forward and two damaged steps back syndrome that I had feared.

The day of collection found the car in a barely running state, with less than two miles of petrol in the tank, many body parts simply missing or broken. My patience had run out, so it was time to get the car back in good order.

Even further away from home is a Clio v6 specialist I had come to know of SG Motorsport. From Essex to Wiltshire was certainly going to be a long haul for me. I gave Scott a brief outline of the car, it was in tatters and running very poorly. Scott pulled out all the stops. On a very snowy Sunday he came all the way to Essex, uplifted the car and assured me it would given everything needed to undo the damage, and he'd have the car in A1 condition ready for that year's car club gatherings.

True to his word, he managed to undo all the very bodged and somewhat dangerous work done by GDI. All the broken and missing parts were replaced, and in just a few weeks the car looking as good as new.

With the car running extremely well and safely, the past couple of years have been stress free and enjoyable as it is meant to be.

Future modifications will be of an aesthetic nature.