R4 - Terje's cars

Renault's "La Quatrelle" (4L) was presented for the first time at the Paris show in 1961. At Renault, the celebrations have already begun, even though the car was only presented in September of that year.

Toutes Parisiennes

Two days ago, a new album was released, called "Toutes Parisiennes", which pays tribute to the Renault 4 - and the special "Parisienne" edition of the Renault 4 that came in 1963. The title refers both to the car - and to all "Parisiennes" - i.e. Women from Paris. The album is one of several posts within French culture and lifestyle that aim to mark the Renault 4's 60th birthday. The album Toutes Parisiennes contains hits from the period -60s and 70s, sung by current singers - in great sound quality. When it comes to La Quatrelle, one can allow oneself to be a little too Francophile on the music front. Besides, you have to be very old to remember French songs like Dalida – Love in Portofino, Joe Dassin – À toi og France Gall – Laisse tomber les filles. These have therefore been recorded in a new format.

The album "Toutes Parisiennes" is published by the lifestyle magazine IDEAT on 21 May. You can listen on Spotify (best sound quality), Apple Music or on YouTube by clicking the link below.

Toutes Parisiennes on YouTube

"A picture, a memory, a scent, a kiss, a moment of happiness, the taste of freedom, of life, of happy people".

The words above are used by the French lifestyle magazine to recreate memories that we all have of the Renault 4. When I think of my own time in the R4, it might not be too far from the truth. Because who doesn't remember the Renault 4? Maybe the car that the teacher at school had, the postman, or someone in the family or neighborhood? Perhaps it was the car you used to explore life and the world yourself?

Share your Renault 4 stories!

When the Renault 4 beat the Volvo PV

Anders de Lange knows the Renault 4 very well and has fond memories of it. His father bought his first in 1964. Anders PO raced with it. And there was a prize! The Volvo PV guys had to look beaten. The outrage was great at having been beaten by that "tin box"!

Anders manages the site Bilhistorie.no and has written a lot about cars and car history. He shares photos from his archive from when the cars were popular.

Renault 4 – a versatile Frenchman

Many have memories of experiences with the Renault 4. Many have owned one, and perhaps exchanged it for a car that was bigger and stronger. If you have a good story or memories or photos with the Renault 4, share it here on Terje's cars! Use the comment field for short posts, or the contact page (click here) - and if you have pictures, you can send them to this email address: post@terjebjornstad.com

It had a number of novelties. Such as child-proof locks on the rear doors, a thermostatically controlled cooling fan and brakes with pressure equalization between the front and rear brakes. As one of the first family cars on the market, it had a closed cooling system – no control of water and antifreeze.

You have to go all the way back to 1898 to find the start for Renault. It happened in Paris, and the man was Louis Renault.

The first car was built in a small shed in his parents' garden outside Paris. As for other start-up car factories, it was important to participate in car races, and Renault won its first victories before 1900. The next models followed the development of the market, bigger cars with stronger engines. In 1923, a small car appeared to take on the competition with Citroën. The theme of small cars was followed up in 1946 with the model 4 CV. It was one of the smallest 4-door passenger cars that has been serially produced. It was followed by the Dauphine in 1956. One of the most famous models, the R4 came in 1962 with front-wheel drive. In the future, a number of new family cars arrived. Some with rear-wheel drive (R8) and others with front-wheel drive (R5/R6/R12/R16). There have been many popular family cars from Renault and that is still the trend.

Renault 4

The Renault 4 was presented in September 1961. It was a simple and practical car to compete with the Citroën 2cv. With a practical and simple interior, this was a real utility vehicle. It had a number of news items. Such as child-proof locks on the rear doors, a thermostatically controlled cooling fan and brakes with pressure equalization between the front and rear brakes. As one of the first family cars on the market, it had a closed cooling system – no control of water and antifreeze. A typical French car with good comfort and good driving characteristics. It was Renault's first front-wheel drive passenger car. But unlike the popular Morris Mini, the R4 engine had longitudinal seats. When the NAF tested the model in 1962, it was praised for easy maintenance (no lubrication points) and low fuel consumption. Like most French cars at the time, there were leaks and poor installation. Gradually, new models came with better interior design and larger engines.