Dieppe to Dallas - Photos of the Texan owned Ph1 172

[Yeti_runner]

Hello everyone! Some of you may already know me from my build thread but if not, here is the link: https://cliosport.net/threads/172-phase-1-oem.851529/

A little bit of a backstory, I am prior military and I was stationed in Europe. While there I picked up a Ph1 172 and it is now back in Texas with me permanently. As far as I know, there are only two Ph1 RS’s in the US and mine is the only one in Texas.

This thread, Dieppe to Dallas (really DFW or Dallas-Fort Worth), was a bit of a fun idea I had of taking my Clio around in a sort of way of “showing it things it’s never seen before.” I will be posting photos here of my Clio with iconic Texan and American locations and landmarks.

I hope y’all enjoy this series as much as I enjoy creating it!

This is the Tarrant County Courthouse. Completed in 1895, it stands in the heart of downtown Fort Worth as one of Texas’ finest examples of Second Empire Architecture. Designed by architect Wesley Clark Dodson, the building is instantly recognizable for its pink Texas granite, ornate detailing, and central clock tower. It replaced an earlier courthouse as Fort Worth boomed alongside the cattle trade and railroad expansion, symbolizing the city’s transformation from frontier outpost to major economic hub.

Joe T. Garcias, founded in 1935 as a humble 16 seat cafe, has grown into one of Texas’ most iconic family-owned Mexican restaurants. What began during the Great Depression as a small neighborhood spot in Fort Worth’s Northside expanded over generations into a sprawling compound famous for its lush Fiesta Gardens, brick courtyards, fountains, and twinkling lights. Still run by the Garcia family, it has become a rite of passage for locals, politicians, and visitors alike serving a famously simple menu.

 

[Stay Puft]

Very cool.

 

[Mr Squashie]

Thread should be titled "Oui-hon to Yee-haw"

Very cool having a French shitbox over there though, does it get a lot of attention?

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

So cool. It must feel tiny compared to the big SUVs and trucks out there. Do many people know what it is?

 

[Advikaz]

Cool!

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Love this!

 

[Yeti_runner]

Thread should be titled "Oui-hon to Yee-haw"

Very cool having a French shitbox over there though, does it get a lot of attention?

That’s honestly a pretty good title option as well!😂 It mostly gets overlooked as just another econobox and then there’s a few who see it, notice what it is, and absolutely love it.

So cool. It must feel tiny compared to the big SUVs and trucks out there. Do many people know what it is?

Yes, it is quite tiny. Unfortunately most people don’t even notice it, some are familiar with Renault, and then a select few know exactly what it is. I’ve actually run into 2 different British guys this last weekend who both went crazy over it being here.

 

[Crybert]

That’s honestly a pretty good title option as well!😂 It mostly gets overlooked as just another econobox and then there’s a few who see it, notice what it is, and absolutely love it.

Yes, it is quite tiny. Unfortunately most people don’t even notice it, some are familiar with Renault, and then a select few know exactly what it is. I’ve actually run into 2 different British guys this last weekend who both went crazy over it being here.View attachment 1778388View attachment 1778390

Holy f**k😂😂

The bonnet height is bigger than the clio?!!! Is that genuine or an illusion of the photo?

Clio probably has more space in it

 

[Yeti_runner]

Holy f**k😂😂

The bonnet height is bigger than the clio?!!! Is that genuine or an illusion of the photo?

Clio probably has more space in it

The first photo is an illusion taken on my phone at 0.5x zoom, the second is genuine. The bonnet is slightly taller than the Clio. That is a rig for towing with a 6.6 liter turbo diesel V8 with approximately 1321 nm of torque, 470 horsepower, and rated for towing 10 tons. It’s the most extreme example of the sheer size difference I have taken so far.🤣

 

[DaveDreads]

Have you tried getting it in the back of the pickup?

You could take it to the track without a trailer.

 

[Crybert]

Have you tried getting it in the back of the pickup?

You could take it to the track without a trailer.

I mean with a 10 tonne towing capacity he could tow 9 of them😂

 

[Yeti_runner]

It’s honestly very close to fitting on the back but not quite. It is wide enough but the Clio is just barely too long. I’d also need some very very long ramps to get it up there😆

 

[Poopensharten]

Love this.

Who will maintain it? Is there any Renault specialists in the states?

 

[Yeti_runner]

Love this.

Who will maintain it? Is there any Renault specialists in the states?

Well, Renault specialist are very very few and far between here. There is a small niche Renault community scattered across the states as well. I will be doing all of the maintenance on it though which is quite overwhelming at times since if I get stuck on something there’s no one to bail me out but I find it beyond worth it in the long run. Luckily it does have a freshly rebuilt engine and there are only 119k km on the chassis and absolutely no rust or rot.

 

[Matt Cup]

Well, Renault specialist are very very few and far between here. There is a small niche Renault community scattered across the states as well. I will be doing all of the maintenance on it though which is quite overwhelming at times since if I get stuck on something there’s no one to bail me out but I find it beyond worth it in the long run. Luckily it does have a freshly rebuilt engine and there are only 119k km on the chassis and absolutely no rust or rot.

Try and get a camshaft locking tool kit shipped over for the eventual belt change 👍

 

[Yeti_runner]

Try and get a camshaft locking tool kit shipped over for the eventual belt change 👍

This will eventually be my biggest undertaking on the car. Luckily I can wait a little while before then as I only drive the car on weekends and nice days and it stays in the garage the rest of the time.

 

[Typhoon]

Awesome mate! Looking forward to the updates!

 

[Flob]

@Yeti_runner the company I work for has a small office in Houston, I know its not close to Dallas! But if you ever need parts and can't source them then drop me a message - we often ship things between offices and if theres space in a box I can add some Renault flavoured bits

 

[Yeti_runner]

@Yeti_runner the company I work for has a small office in Houston, I know its not close to Dallas! But if you ever need parts and can't source them then drop me a message - we often ship things between offices and if theres space in a box I can add some Renault flavoured bits

That would honestly be amazing! I will definitely let you know! I do go down to Houston every month or so for rallycross so that could work out well!

 

[Matt Cup]

@Yeti_runner the company I work for has a small office in Houston, I know its not close to Dallas! But if you ever need parts and can't source them then drop me a message - we often ship things between offices and if theres space in a box I can add some Renault flavoured bits

Top man 👏

 

[Yeti_runner]

I went out again tonight for some more photos!

7-Eleven’s story began in Dallas, Texas, in 1927, when the Southland Ice Company started selling milk, bread, and eggs from its ice docks for customer convenience. By 1946, the stores adopted the name “7-Eleven” to reflect their extended opening hours from 7 am to 11 pm which was revolutionary at the time. The brand went to pioneer the modern convenience store concept and eventually expanding worldwide.

My hometown, Midlothian, was founded in 1888 and began as a small rail town in Ellis County, Texas, growing around agriculture and later becoming known as the “Cement Capital of Texas” due to its major cement plants and limestone industry. Founders Row is a recent downtown revitalization project that pays tribute to Midlothian’s origins. The illuminated arch and surrounding space were designed to celebrate the town’s founding year and provide a central gathering point for events and community life.

 

[McGherkin]

Awesome thread. The Ph1s are such great cars, and it’s even better seeing one in the US.

Liking the writeups with the pictures too - more please!

 

[Darren S]

Must be impressive to know that your car is 1 of only 2 in the country.

I tend to think that my 'most-common-colour' 182 is a rare sight on the roads, but this is on another level.

 

[Yeti_runner]

Awesome thread. The Ph1s are such great cars, and it’s even better seeing one in the US.

Liking the writeups with the pictures too - more please!

I genuinely love my Ph1. Every time I drive it, it brings me so much joy! I do have quite a few more locations planned but they may be spaced out a bit!

Must be impressive to know that your car is 1 of only 2 in the country.

I tend to think that my 'most-common-colour' 182 is a rare sight on the roads, but this is on another level.

It’s honestly a very cool feeling knowing there’s an extremely high chance I’ll not see another one when going to shows and meets. It’s so unique here.

 

[Jonnio]

This thread is awesome. 👍

Midlothian will stir some kilts on here I imagine. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿