david lloyd Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Hi all, around 2005/6 Autocruise produced the Pioneer Renoir (amongst several other ‘new’ models) and you don’t see many about. I thought it was a ‘special’ build to use up the last few remaining X244 chassis’ before the new X250 came in - but does anyone have any idea just how many were produced? Are they going to be a modern classic? David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 No idea of the answer to your question, but I do recall the van, or more precisely the graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 colin - 2022-09-20 8:08 PM No idea of the answer to your question, but I do recall the van, or more precisely the graphics. Yes, you’re right Colin, I think Autocruise went to town on the model with a full silver paintwork job and twin headlights replacing the original ones. It’s why i thought it may become a modern classic. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 One of the best vans we ever had was an Autocruise Starlet ll of 2006 vintage. The Renoir is the same layout with a bit more luxury and, for us, it all worked really well and we have no criticism at all of the layout or build quality. It did exactly what it said on the tins - as the saying goes - and not all vans do that! The low profile helps it handle better in strong winds, but the LWB Alko chassis gives it a very wide turning circle which can make you look a bit inept when turning in a tight space. It rides well, the Alko rear end being softer sprung than the convential van chassis and ours took us all over Europe - and Morocco - on many trips without ever letting us down. I don't know how many Renoirs were made but coming from a less complex past it is a potential clasic and if it were mine I would value it highly. Good Luck David, and I hope yours looks after as well as our Starlet did us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted October 1, 2022 Author Share Posted October 1, 2022 Thanks Rich - we are loving it too. In 2005 we bought a Startraveller which, again had a pretty similar layout but without the paint job and extras that were to come with the Renoir. At just 6.15m long the Renoir is about six inches longer than our last PVC and not a lot wider but what an amazing amount of space it conjures up. It is the ultra low Alko chassis so not very tall either and a lovely ride - handles like it’s on rails. As you and other long standing forum members may know, we have had a good selection of M/H’s over the last 25 years but I had always thought it would be nice to own a chassis. Didn’t really fancy the bare essentials of an early Ducato type or Bedford CL or Commer as we do like our modern comforts but this may well just become that classic with comfort. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 Hi Make contact on Facebook with the Autocruise Motorhome Owners ,they may be able to help They may be able to pass you on to the secretary of the old Autocruise Club I am sure they will be able to help Safe and happy motorhoming Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted October 1, 2022 Author Share Posted October 1, 2022 Thanks for the suggestion onecal - sadly, I don’t use social media - but of an old stick in the mud. david Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 OK, Just Google the club You may get to come on the Sec' phone number with a little luck I am quite sure they will be happy to answer any of your questions you have posted here Happy Motorhoming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 Just out of curiosity (which may lead to a decision to add this accessory) does anyone know which model towbar would fit the original ultra low Alko chassis? And perhaps details of reliable fitting. David 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 Hi David Did you make contact with the secretary of the Club ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 Not the club but did get a reply from Martin Watts (MMM Classic Motorhome writer) on the discussion about modern classics. I can see there are Alko suitable tow bars on the internet but it’s not clear as to which model would be suitable. For example, many are listed for Alko fitted vehicles from 2007 on. may have to contact Alko to get more advice. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 It's quite possible that an off-the-shelf tow-bar was never available from Al-Ko for the low chassis as fitted to the Pioneer Renoir, even if the chassis itself may have been pre-drilled to take a tow-hitch directly. This link is to an advert for a 2005 Renoir and it will be apparent (image below) that a 'nudge-bar' has been used to allow the tow-hitch to be at a suitable height. https://www.motorhomedepot.com/vehicle/autocruise-pioneer-renoir-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 It may well be that this arrangement is the best solution Derek. Personally, I’m not inclined to think it HAS to be an Alko towbar and haven’t yet seen anything that is made for the ultra low chassis. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 David, I'm not sure on your location but we had a full width bumper bar/tow bar manufactured and installed by TowTal in Stoke on Trent when we purchased our AT. The fit and quality is excellent but was let down by the paint finish as it was made and fitted in a day so only appeared to have had one quick coat of paint. I have since had it powder coated. https://towtal.co.uk/towbars/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 Hi David, Did you get an answer on how many were actually built ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 I'm pretty sure that accurate/credible information about the number of Pioneer 'explorer/artist' models built by Autocruise will be unavailable nowadays. This 2006 article refers to Autocruise Pioneer models https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/articles/general/pioneer-paints-a-pretty-picture Swift acquired Autocruise in late-2007 and some Pioneer 'explorer/artist' models (eg. Pizarro, Joilette) were marketed based on an X250 chassis - but I don't know if these were 'genuine' Autocruise or Swift-era vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 Thanks Keith - we are at Guisborough in North Yorkshire - I know Armitage trailers at Knottingley do a good job had work done there before. onecal - as Derek says above there isn’t really any valid information on numbers but my own suspicion is that relatively few of these ‘specials’ were built in this guise (silver paint, alloys etc) to make the last of the X244 chassis versions attractive at a time when many were simply waiting to order new Motorhomes on the new X250. All I do know is there are not many! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 The Boxer/Ducato/Relay 'X250' base vehicle did not begin to be built in Italy until mid-2006, so any motorhome constructed in the Autocruise factory in 2005/2006 had to be on the outgoing 'X244' chassis, whether it was Autocruise or Pioneer badged. Pioneer-badged models were Autocruise 'Star' models in drag (a Pioneer Renoir and an Autocruise Starburst have virtually the same DNA). In 2005/2006 Autocruise were building Pioneer models using either an 'explorer' or an 'artist' model-name. All of these had white paintwork as standard, but silver was an option for the Monet and Renoir 'artist' models. 2005/2006 'Star' and equivalent Pioneer models all had alloy wheels and all 2006 Pioneer models had Hella 4-headlamp units irrespective of their paintwork colour. Having inspected a few more 'Star'/Pioneer adverts, it may be that a tow-bar could have been specified as a factory option. This 2005 Renoir image shows a tow-hitch that looks like it may connect tidily to the Al-Ko chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snail Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 Nothing to do with your model autocruise although I remember looking at it when it came out being very smart, We owned a starquest from new in 2002 they were sold by marquis motorhomes, met Gordon Bently when we attended the factory visit weekends in Mexborough, they all seemed well built and designed by people who used them, think the original swing wall shower was their design? Like autotrail there were loads of choice in different layouts something for everyone. Consider if you have a tow bar made having it galvanised instead of paint, as we did, it looks a bit shiny to start with but mellows, never had to touch ours on the Hymer for 15 years we had it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 Ok As the original question was "How many of this model were produced " I really thought with contacting the club someone just might know Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 It's most unlikely that anyone could provide accurate build-number data for pre-Swift-takeover Autocruise motorhomes, and - to muddy the waters further - some "Star" models were Autocruise/Pioneer hybrids. This advert is for a 2005-registered "Starburst" (name on side-view photo) but the rear-view photo clearly shows the Pioneer brand. https://www.webuyanymotorcaravan.com/product/autocruise-starburst/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 Interesting , I think this came up some years back and information was obtained from the owners club secretary by a member of our Club I do believe it may have been a small number , I have no record and i have asked a few in the Motorhome Club as one couple had one but sadly no joy as to exactly "How many were actually produced" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted July 3, 2023 Author Share Posted July 3, 2023 You are a mine of information Derek. Around this time Autocruise were building the same models badged as Pioneer or Autocruise but with different model names. In fact we bought a new Pioneer at one of the shows (can’t recall it’s model name) but, like many people, I hadn’t heard of Pioneer and was a little concerned that it may affect any future resale price so asked for it to be badged as Autocruise. In line with their branding the ‘Pioneer’ model we got was produced as an Autocruise Startraveller. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snail Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 The name Pioneer goes way back, when we had our ci autohomes Bedford c.f. there were Pioneer, Advantura, Landliner vans sure Derek will remember them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted July 3, 2023 Author Share Posted July 3, 2023 Was it (Pioneer) a manufacturer then perhaps before Autocruise took it over? Or was it a model name of another manufacturer? David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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