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The Renault 4 1961 to 1993
The Renault 4 was in production prior to 1976 and therefore owners of ALL Renault 4s are eligible for club membership we feel this car has a real future as a classic, this car has fond memories for many people and was an innovative workhorse in it's day.We are very keen to develop an active R4 section within the club and welcome new members.R4 Register a New Era Derk Flavell
Hello fellow Classic Renault Owners, my name is Derek Flavell and I have taken over the position of R4 registrar from Liam who’s reports were very much appreciated. I would like to give a very brief account of my involvement with Renaults and particularly the Renault 4. I started working for my elder brother back in the mid 80s as a mechanic. My brothers garage serviced and maintained a variety of vehicles with a good helping of 70s and 8s Renaults. The firm’s runabout was a 1973 R4TL which was thrashed mercilessly to collect spares or run trips to the shops. On one occasion we pilled 50 or so old car batteries inside to take them to the scrap man, this made for an interesting drive it was on the bump stops and handled like it was drunk but it did it and lived to tell the tale. I now run a small garage myself where I indulge my passion of fixing and modifying R4s.I drive an 1985 F6 van pictured above as my daily commuter. I have fitted it with an 45 Gordini engine and a five speed gearbox which makes the motorway journey of approximately 400 miles per week a lot easier. It is still noisy and cold but it is great fun. My previous F6 ,a white one also did me proud I used it for five years and racked up over 70,000 miles before selling it back to the original owner who had first refusal on it. That van has a 1397cc type 847 engine fitted and when I recently serviced it I was pleased to see the milage had just tripped the 300,00 mark. The Renault 4 is a fantastic vehicle. it is the urban runabout,it is a mini MPV or a van. The R4 was once regarded as boxy and dull but now it is having a renaissance and is regarded as cute, chic, and eminently practical .it is anti the modern trend towards big ugly and heavy. If you have never owned an R4 go out and get one now as the prices are going up and up. You won’t be disappointed with your purchase. I am aware that we have a number or R4s in the club but apart from Mark we rarely see them at the events, when an R4 is on the club display it always attracts a lot of public attention so we would be very glad to see you out there enjoying the events with other club members. Best wishes Derek
A Short History by our Registrar Derek Flavell.The Renault 4 was launched at the 1961 Paris Salon ,its new layout of engine and transmission all at the front was a first for Renault at this time. The car featured many new ideas including a flat rear floor and hatchback configuration. La Regie Renault was so convinced that the new model was a winner that the hatched a plan to get the sceptical man on the street of Paris behind the wheel. " Prenez le Volant" offered 200 special cars to the general public to drive at there will and leave for the next person to have a turn such was the success that by march 1963 sales were strong and 50,000 examples were produced. Sinpar had already produced a four wheel drive version and Renault had given us the "Super Confort" but the idea of a more Haute Couture model was realised with the introduction of the "Parisienne" , This model had extra chrome work and plastic decals replicating wickerwork applied to the sides and rear hatch. 1966 saw the 1 millionth R4 as the "Plein Air" was created, this model was a true convertible it had no doors just a windscreen and a flimsy canvas roof. 6 Volt electrics gave way to 12 volts and 1972 say the first 4 speed gearbox on the R4. The R4s wide appeal across France was amazing it was a classless car and was driven wy well to do city types and country folk alike. The establishment also embraced the car with the Police, army, La poste. and fire service all finding a use for the versatile design. With a thirty one year production run the R4 was and still is Frances most prolific car ever and was the 5th biggest selling car of all time with a total of 8135424 units produced. Obviously with such a long production run there have been many updates and modifications but in essence there were three different font grill The loaf shaped aluminium, the oblong shaped aluminium and the oblong shaped plastic. There are two engine sizes you are likely to encounter the 845 cc and the 1100cc but there were more as can be seen in the following table .
If you would like to know more obout owning a Renault 4 please contact Derek on 07816 586642
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