Restore a R4

[monty]

I need a car restoring to a high standard.

I'd like to use somebody with a good reputation.

can the Forum recommend anyone?

Thank you

Monty

 

[malcolm]

What year is it and can you post some photos? The only dedicated Renault 4 restorer in the UK is Renospeed. He is capable of nice work and is honest so might be worth an ask.

 

[monty]

thanks

Hey Malcolm,

Thanks for the link. I'll look at the renospeed site, and post some images.

Its a bit rough, but I'm sure it can be restored.

It's a GTL Ocean (?) Blue

 

[RichardIRL]

What a coincidence!
My Renault 4 GTL is also Ocean Blue (430) and I also had it done up by Derek of Renospeed.
He did a great job and I would highly recommend him

 

[pepper]

Richard, I've seen some great pictures of your restoration, can you put a link upto them at all?

 

[RichardIRL]

All my restoration photos are in my photo album on this forum. I'm not sure how to put a link up here though...

 

[pepper]

Ahh ok, I was just being polite and trying to let you put them up.

Let me help you. :smile:

http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/album.php?albumid=56

http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/album.php?albumid=55

Hope that helps

Kind regards

Pepper

 

[RichardIRL]

Thanks! I should add there was no cometic work done on it though

 

[angel]

Off-topic on this, on-topic on something we discussed earlier!
Look at the front suspension height, even though it is a GTL it seems to sit high and I bet camber value will be correct on Richard's car!

 

[monty]

GTL Restoration

I've put some photos in the Gallery of my Renault, I have its MOT failure ticket and more photographs of the engine but not the underside.

 

[jjad]

Thanks for posting the photos.

The MOT failure should reveal more info. The main concern for me would be the (rear) chassis, especially the rear inner suspension mounts. These seem to be the Achilles heel of the R4.

You should be able to get new front and rear wings (and possibly inner front ones too, if you need them), although the genuine Renault ones are expensive now and non-genuine ones can take a bit of adjusting to fit perfectly.

What is the engine like?

Doesn't Richard's car look stunning?

Good luck!

 

[malcolm]

Here are the photos: http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/album.php?albumid=90

It's not possible for a Renault 4 to be beyond repair!

From the photos the tape over the rear of the roof suggests a hole there. That's a fiddly area to repair properly. I've repaired one on my car. You've got the other normal spots in the wings and tailgate, but they are replaceable for maybe £300 in parts. The RH upper wing will probably need a repair too if you are bothered with cosmetics. Though the basic body structure doesn't look bad apart from the roof.

Has the look of a car where investments haven't been made in the chassis department. For a C reg normally the inner rear suspension mounts and the sides of the chassis under the APEX panels in front of the front doors will need work. Otherwise they were quite good for rust proofing of the chassis.

What are your aims? If you only wanted an MOT then it could be fairly cheap to get back on the road. Post the MOT fail list and we'll help with that. If you want a shiny example of immaculate Renault4ness it would probably be cheaper to buy a less rusty one.

 

[monty]

MOT Refusal,

Mot refusal

1. Nearside windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively
2. Offside windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively
3. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
4. Registration lamp not working
5. Registration lamp insecure
6. Offside front lamp position lamp (s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp
7. Offside headlamp aim too high
8. Nearside headlamp aim too low
9. Front registration plate character (s) likely to be misread
10. Rear registration plate character (s) likely to be misread
11. Tailgate passenger door does not latch securely closed
12. Nearside rear shock absorber has negligible damping effect
13. Offside rear shock absorber has negligible damping effect
14. Nearside rear (door step) body has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength with 30cm of the body mountings
15. Nearside front (inner wing) body has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength with 30cm of the body mountings
16. Offside front (inner wing) body has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength with 30cm of the body mountings
17. Offside front (bulk head behind wheel) body has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength with 30cm of the body mountings
18. Nearside rear subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
19. Offside rear subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
20. Nearside steering rack gaiter split
21. Offfside steering rack gaiter split
22. Nearside (steering rack) drag link end ball pin shank loose
23. Exhaust emmissions carbon monoxide content excessive
24. Offside rear tyre has ply or cords exposed
25. Front wheels brakes imbalanced



advisory note

26. Exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated
27. (all) brake pipe slightly corroded
28. Front wings rusty


june 25th 2008

 

[monty]

what should i photograph underneath?

i can drive it up a ramp against a low wall

and photograph the underneath.

which bits should i photograph?

 

[monty]

Achilles heel of the R4

ah just seen this page 'Achilles heel of the R4.'

I know what to photograph,