New Member in South Wiltshire

[Grumm]

I thought I might throw my hat into the ring and introduce my first venture into old Renault ownership in the shape of a LHD Renault 4. It's just been brought over from the Loire and according to the Carte Gris it was first registered in September 1974. It will need the brakes sorting for the MOT and it needs a look at the front foot wells as it's had the usual French metal and pop rivet repairs, but the rest of it is pretty good - including the rear part of the chassis. Strangely enough, it's got hammock type bench seats front and rear (the drivers one needs some serious help!) - the technical among you might be able to help me out with whether they were originally in the car or put in from an earlier 4. It's got black vinyl door cards and it's got the earlier type dash and steering wheel. The chassis number is 0509136 from the diamond plaque and it's R1126 from the oval one. Can someone help me out with the production date if possible. The colour is 410S1B - described as "blue"; I would describe it as a very baby blue!
As I've said, this is my first venture into old Renaukt ownership, but I'm no stranger to the bitter rival - I'm also lucky to own a 1973 Citroen Ami 8 saloon and a 1984 Citroen Acadiane van - both imported in from France. I also own a Citroen Visa L - this one U.S. A UK car and it's waiting to be re commissioned when funds allow!
Here's some pics.

 

[pepper]

Welcome to the forum, I'm also a Visa fan, I'm on the look out for a 650cc one as they are my favorite.

 

[Craig]

Very nice

 

[Chris Litchfield]

Welcome to the forum! Nice car

 

[Stuart Delahoy]

Nice... and if you want to change them I should have some secondhand 70's type seats hidden away in the lock up.

 

[Grumm]

Cheers Stuart, I'll bear that in mind - the seats in it at the moment are similar to the early 2cv ones, but clearly Renault as they fit in all the right places! I was just wondering if they were originally in the car as it has a mixture of old and new as if it was on a changeover. The drivers side of the seat has been duly "French bodged"; the seat material is missing and the canvass/bungee has been replaced with packing straps. The result being no give at all - like sitting on a park bench! I'm looking at using 2cv canvass and bungees as they are readily available and might look like they will fit. Similarly, I'll measure up some 2cv seat covers and see if they will fit.
Are things like rear wings and panels readily available in the UK or via French suppliers? Being new to the Renault scene, I'm still trying to find out where the best places are to source parts. Being in the 2cv scene, I presume the following for the marque is pretty much the same

 

[ggcton]

Cheers Stuart, I'll bear that in mind - the seats in it at the moment are similar to the early 2cv ones, but clearly Renault as they fit in all the right places! I was just wondering if they were originally in the car as it has a mixture of old and new as if it was on a changeover. The drivers side of the seat has been duly "French bodged"; the seat material is missing and the canvass/bungee has been replaced with packing straps. The result being no give at all - like sitting on a park bench! I'm looking at using 2cv canvass and bungees as they are readily available and might look like they will fit. Similarly, I'll measure up some 2cv seat covers and see if they will fit.
Are things like rear wings and panels readily available in the UK or via French suppliers? Being new to the Renault scene, I'm still trying to find out where the best places are to source parts. Being in the 2cv scene, I presume the following for the marque is pretty much the same

Most things available here

http://www.franzose.de/en/Renault/R4/

 

[Grumm]

Thanks, I've had 2cv stuff from them in the past - good quality

 

[Cornish4]

Hi there, there is also a French company, www.melun retro passion.com, who are very good for parts, and a Dutch one too R-Quatre.nl I bought some rear brake parts from them, admittedly at a show in Holland, but they were very helpful, and of course spoke perfect English. Your car looks very nice, and I love the colour.

Regards Brian.

 

[Grumm]

Cheers Brian, I'll take a look

 

[angel]

Hi, welcome to the R4 world!

Your very nice R4 should be one of the earliest 1975 model year cars, and judging from its details (no chrome strips, hubcaps, chromed door handles etc), is the basic model ("Luxe"). So hammock seats are correct, and add to its "untouched" condition.

 

[Grumm]

Hi, welcome to the R4 world!

Your very nice R4 should be one of the earliest 1975 model year cars, and judging from its details (no chrome strips, hubcaps, chromed door handles etc), is the basic model ("Luxe"). So hammock seats are correct, and add to its "untouched" condition.

Angel,
Thanks for the information - that goes with the fact that the Carte Gris is September 1974