Renault 4, A Quirky French Classic: 2022 Hagerty Bull Market List Part 9 | Carfection 4K

Does rarity always equate to higher value? The Renault 4 may challenge that notion. Henry Catchpole and John Mayhead explains in this instalment of the Hagerty Bull Market 2022.

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[dfxl]

As a soldier in the 1980’s had a Renault 4 GTL whilst stationed in Northern Ireland. My reason for ownership may well be the most obscure here?

As a soldier there was a risk that someone would leave a nasty present under our vehicles. As our Family owned a Renault garage in Sudbury, I took notice that the Renault 4 had great ground clearance as well as a flat bottom, this meant it was easy to check the underside of the vehicle from across the street without getting on my hands and knees which shouted “security forces” to all and sundry who may be in the vicinity.

It certainly gave me confidence when out and about, as well as being a lovely simple and reliable Family car. I would love to own another one.

[SVCS]

I had one for about 7 years, did everything with it, including 2 rallyes. I did overturn mine, which is not easy :) Incredibly light, reliable, simple and funny car. Great to see it receiving some love and attention.

[howardbarnard]

Fantastic little cars. Taught me a lot about driving & preserving momentum to carry speed- as it had pretty much zero acceleration. Think we had a total of 21 of these in our family…

[andreshates]

I grew up in Colombia and you'd see these everywhere, everyone had one at one point of their lives.

[souheib]

I have one that I restored (still restoring technically), it's painted in the Citroën vert printemps, and I do think of it as the most beautiful car in history and I love it to bits down to every single bolt. It just brings me joy

[AdamJRichardson]

Learned to drive in one of these when I was about 12, a van version that my grandparents had for their farm in Lincolnshire. Grandpa took me and my younger brother out to an old air strip and we learned how to drive, struggling with the gear shift. Great times!

[SmallBlogV]

The reason there's a big metal umbrella handle reaching over the engine bay to the front-mounted gearbox, is that the powertrain was lifted wholesale from the rear-engined 4CV that preceded this car... and they just plonked the whole assembly at the front end instead without rearranging it.

Dad had one of these little cars. He even taught me how to drive on his R4 in 1998. I absolutely loved it. But dad hated the fact that the French used not-so-common standard screws and nuts on their cars. He always had to repair somewhere. It eventually went to scrap because the framework rusted beyond rework and repairing it became expensive to us. If we could preserve it I'd happily ride it today.

[quicknickdriver]

Yes Henry! This is the review I’ve been waiting for, possibly my favourite and earliest car memories, my Father had one mid seventies and a very good friend had one late eighties in which we used to carry unreasonable amounts of momentum thanks to that lightweight and supple suspension. Heady days...

[iDymff]

For some reason this funny little renault fits him perfectly 😄

[rotormasher]

That brings some memories, my Youth in Portugal had plenty of hours on those!
Simple cars simple times but timeless memories! :)

[henryhol]

What a car! My Uncle had one in West Africa. It was commandeered at a military checkpoint. When the soldiers realized that they couldnt fathom the gearchange they returned it back to him!

[BAKERAGUSTINIANO]

Thanks for the mention of the Amigo Fiel.
Greetings from Colombia.
And yes, the F4 Washington widely used by Laundries, post and telephone companies, repair services and so.

Long life the Amigo Fiel!

[Stevieboy]

I visited Colombia last Christmas for a month. It's amazing how many of these are still running around Colombia. Clever, clever design.

[anguselliott]

6:09 I never thought I'd see someone pick a Renault 4 over a Ferrari 458. Love it

[Sergio_Math]

You were right about these being popular in Colombia. My dad had one! Every time he sees one in good shape, he gets all nostalgic. Hell, me too! If you want one, you'll still find good ones in nice shape in Colombia. Charming little cars!

[NickHarman]

I have an 87 ex Gendarme R4, so it has leather seats, non opening rear windows ( so les criminals under arrest could not escape) a siren button and a hole in the roof where the light went. And it's blue, of course.

Absolutely great fun to drive on any surface and easy to maintain with a small engine in a large engine bay and no more complicated than a petrol lawnmower.

400 euros ten years ago, even if it was worth no more today it would still have been worth every cent

[noelstephenryan]

Had a 4tl in late 70ies. Best car I ever owned, ultra reliable, ecominical, went places other cars got bogged down. I LOVED that gem.

[johnsellsorlandorealestate]

That was a treat to see such a once common car appreciate in value!

[sdry]

I had a holiday in Croatia in 2017 and passed quite a few on the road - I owned one in the 80s - great fun to drive.