Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Thank you Pepper it's one of my favourite colours as well! I definitely cannot wait until it's finished, which isn't going to be much of a wait now
.- Thread starter Jnr-Renospeed
- Start date
Thank you Pepper it's one of my favourite colours as well! I definitely cannot wait until it's finished, which isn't going to be much of a wait now
.
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
After a small hiatus the car is finally done! All we are waiting for is the some number plates and windscreen inserts, then it really will be on the road 
. The car is currently fitted with some temporary winter wheels with the hope of being sat on some 5.5 inch Fergat steels in the spring, just to make it look a bit more beefy 
.
We have sourced some great condition black vinyl seats and door cards, a 5 Gordini steering wheel that my Dad has owned since about 1990 which is equally in great condition, a light up skull gear knob (a family tradition) which came with it's share of problems. The first gear knob we were sent turned out to be a nonworking fake and the steering wheel boss we ordered, though being advertised compatible with a 5 Gordini wheel turned out to just be an aluminium cylinder with some holes drilled in it, so I advise that unless you want to spend hours and hours fabricating an adaptor plate and drilling new holes, which is what we did, steer well clear, ugh Ebay
.
. The car is currently fitted with some temporary winter wheels with the hope of being sat on some 5.5 inch Fergat steels in the spring, just to make it look a bit more beefy .We have sourced some great condition black vinyl seats and door cards, a 5 Gordini steering wheel that my Dad has owned since about 1990 which is equally in great condition, a light up skull gear knob (a family tradition) which came with it's share of problems. The first gear knob we were sent turned out to be a nonworking fake and the steering wheel boss we ordered, though being advertised compatible with a 5 Gordini wheel turned out to just be an aluminium cylinder with some holes drilled in it, so I advise that unless you want to spend hours and hours fabricating an adaptor plate and drilling new holes, which is what we did, steer well clear, ugh Ebay
.
Richnd1974
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 567
- Location
- Bournemouth
Absolutely stunning, love the colour and attention to detail, mine passed its mot today so next year I'm going to tidy up the body work, if I had the money I would respray it. But its got a nice patina, showing its age gracefully, mine looks good on its alloys as well, gives it a better stance, enjoy
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Thank you Rich, the car's more than I could've imagined as a first! Nice to hear yours passed its MOT hope to see it sometime.
Stuart Delahoy
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 516
WOW BOTH...Something to be proud of...
Simon Sapsted
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 63
- Location
- Worthing
Hi Harry , car looks great ! Looks like you have both been very busy ,hope to see you all and the growing R4 collection at the next Kent Run.
Just need to pass your driving test you do have a great incentive now.
Gordini conversion for your 21st ?
Regards Si & Jo ...
Just need to pass your driving test you do have a great incentive now.
Gordini conversion for your 21st ?
Regards Si & Jo ...
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Cheers S and J, it will most definitely be around at events next year. Passing my test is next on the list, along with sorting out the insurance
.Regarding a Gordini swap, it's already on the table ... at least on my end
. Just got to convince Dad ... and the insurance company.
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Just as a quick early stage mod for my car, we fitted a silver painted instrument cluster that Dad had had fitted in his cream-coloured Gordini powered 4 a few years ago but took it out as it did not work with the interior colour scheme. So because I had been eyeing it up for quite a while we slotted it in yesterday and it looks, in my opinion, much nicer than the standard black and stops the inside being a wash of black, giving it a nice sporty feel when inside 
.
The more important point is that I have been using it, on learners plates. At first it was a bit nerve racking, having been given your dream first car and then actually having to drive it with other people on the road. But after a few tries I'm getting the hang of it, it's more of a case of learning to drive a Renault 4 opposed to learning to drive full stop. And with a brand new clutch, no power steering and 4 very long gears you couldn't get much further away from an instructors car if you tried. But now I'm starting to enjoy the quirks of the 4's : the rolling round corners, steering feel etc.
I hope to see many of you soon at events, having driven there myself.
.The more important point is that I have been using it, on learners plates. At first it was a bit nerve racking, having been given your dream first car and then actually having to drive it with other people on the road. But after a few tries I'm getting the hang of it, it's more of a case of learning to drive a Renault 4 opposed to learning to drive full stop. And with a brand new clutch, no power steering and 4 very long gears you couldn't get much further away from an instructors car if you tried. But now I'm starting to enjoy the quirks of the 4's : the rolling round corners, steering feel etc.
I hope to see many of you soon at events, having driven there myself
.
jjad
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 1,602
- Location
- Herefordshire
Awesome (both the instrument cluster and driving it). I love the direct feeling of steering the 4 and you don't really need power steering in such a light car anyway. The combination of the 1108cc engine and gearbox means that it's pretty forgiving about which gear you're in. Enjoy driving it!
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Taken just at the last glimpses of the setting sun on my second drive of the day ... what could be better 
.
After driving the car a few times and getting used to the way of the 4 and appreciating their rolling around and tall gearing I am definitely enjoying myself. After a few weeks of seat time I can certainly feel the bug and prefer it over an instructors car by a million miles, especially after learning the craft of driving 4's and actually being told to drive it with "more gusto through the gears". More to the point it is showing itself to be economical, an eye catcher and noisy in a sonorous kind of way, I can't think of any old car I'd like to have more as a first.
. After driving the car a few times and getting used to the way of the 4 and appreciating their rolling around and tall gearing I am definitely enjoying myself. After a few weeks of seat time I can certainly feel the bug and prefer it over an instructors car by a million miles, especially after learning the craft of driving 4's and actually being told to drive it with "more gusto through the gears". More to the point it is showing itself to be economical, an eye catcher and noisy in a sonorous kind of way, I can't think of any old car I'd like to have more as a first.
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Despite handling and driving perfectly the engine to say the least was very flat feeling, so as an upgrade in time for the Kent Meeting we swapped out the then current 28MM Zenith Carburettor for another 28MM Zenith Carburettor and now it has noticeably more poke, idles nicer and is far more pleasurable to drive in all areas, not just briskly , and just for a little more zest we advanced the ignition timing a little, both of these tune ups also have the little benefit of making the exhaust pop and burble just that bit more when you let off the gas .
The culprit ... I mean old carb.
Now front spotlights, rear foglight, rev counter and Fergats are next on the list...
, and just for a little more zest we advanced the ignition timing a little, both of these tune ups also have the little benefit of making the exhaust pop and burble just that bit more when you let off the gas .The culprit ... I mean old carb.
Now front spotlights, rear foglight, rev counter and Fergats are next on the list...
Last edited:
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
Nice one Harry. By the way, my exhaust is bigger than yours
Be prepared for a test of sonority then
.
Last edited:
mr-reno-139
AKA Paul Cunningham
- Messages
- 2,261
- Location
- lancing west sussex england
well done young man your dad has taught you well
renault 4s really are a great car and haven seen the time and effort you have both put into this I am sure you will treat this car with much love and affection once you get to drive it on your own
renault 4s really are a great car and haven seen the time and effort you have both put into this I am sure you will treat this car with much love and affection once you get to drive it on your own
Jnr-Renospeed
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 174
- Location
- Newington
As promised we fitted some 5.5'' Fergat wheels earlier today, refurbished then painted in Renault 620 Silver and fitted with 165/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres after ordering Continentals which then were sent ... but were 4 years out of date and are still awaiting their return pick up, also as it turns out the Hankooks have a superior rating anyway. Now we're just waiting for the traffic to calm so yours truly can give them a test .
Unfortunately ... or fortunately depending on who you ask, after a lot of road testing the twin pipe exhaust arrangement has proven very enjoyable around town (obviously) but the hollow background noise has proved deafening at 70 mph and seeing as we have over 300+ miles to do to Thenay that isn't ideal if we'd like to have a conversation. So after a bit of road testing in and outside of the car with the end of a beer can stuck over one pipe the sound quality is just as good with a single tip, so the 4 is getting one large, upturned and slash-cut exhaust tip, but who knows the twin pipes may make a good utensil holder ...
... but to make up for some lost noise we have some air-horns to be fitted
.
.Unfortunately ... or fortunately depending on who you ask, after a lot of road testing the twin pipe exhaust arrangement has proven very enjoyable around town (obviously
) but the hollow background noise has proved deafening at 70 mph and seeing as we have over 300+ miles to do to Thenay that isn't ideal if we'd like to have a conversation. So after a bit of road testing in and outside of the car with the end of a beer can stuck over one pipe the sound quality is just as good with a single tip, so the 4 is getting one large, upturned and slash-cut exhaust tip, but who knows the twin pipes may make a good utensil holder ...... but to make up for some lost noise we have some air-horns to be fitted
.
Last edited: