RE: Renault 4 GTL: Spotted
Saturday 14th April 2018
Been watching Top Gear lately? Given that Chris Evans season, we don't blame you if not. But if you have stuck with it, the popular consensus is that the latest shows have been rather good - particularly Monkey's recent film on the Citroen 2CV, featuring his very own.
The 4 has never achieved the widespread recognition of the 2CV (which is probably a good thing for anyone who wants one, as it means prices have stayed relatively low). Yet any visitor to France in the last 20 years or so will know that these things were the lifeblood of transportation, especially in small towns and the countryside, where their ability to haul a whole family across bumpy roads in comfort and for peanuts made them beloved of millions, and meant that Renault was, at one point, building around 1500 of the things a day.
Sounds... awful, frankly. So why on earth would you want to buy one? Well, as Motor put it, "that intangible asset called character". I mean, isn't it cool? This one especially, with its metallic paint job, painted bumpers and plaid interior just oozes Gallic chic. Whether it's been subject to a restoration, the advert doesn't say, but the chances are it has - either that, or it's been incredibly well cared for in its 35-year life.
Then again, there's a lot to be said for the more modern surroundings and 1108cc - as opposed to the original's 850cc - of this later GTL. In addition to that bigger engine, which was set up for low-down torque to make it more sprightly around town, you got bigger brakes, a few more cubbies around the interior, side rubbing strips that preceded Citroen's Airbumps by about 30 years, and - drum roll - reclining front seats. At less than £5000, it's also cheaper than a 2CV in similar nick would be - not to mention rather less obvious and a little less compromised. The perfect, way, therefore to get your fix of Frenchness for fewer francs.
Renault 4 GTL: Spotted
Fancy something French, charming and utilitarian?
Naturally, we were straight into the classifieds the moment it was over to see how much it'd cost to get hold of one ourselves. Too much, as it turns out. But if the idea of a small, Spartan and wonderfully Gallic classic appeals, there is an alternative: the Renault 4.
Indeed, the 4 was so long-lived that mainstream production lasted until 1992, believe it or not, placing this 1983 example currently for sale about a third of a way through the model's lifespan. That said, it felt old even when it was new, a 1980 road test appearing in Motor magazine describing it as "dated despite revisions" and lamenting its "limited passenger accomodation, its poor performance and standards of heating, ventilation, ergonomics, visibility, finish and equipment that that would have seemed outdated in 1970."
That's not the only detail the ad's a little patchy on. There's also no mention of the car's mileage - though, if you squint hard at the dash shot, it looks to be somewhere around the 112k mark, which isn't preposterous. And it's true that dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts will probably prefer the purity of one of the earlier cars, with their smaller, metal grilles and chrome bumpers.
SPECIFICATION - RENAULT 4 GTL
Engine: 1.1-litre 4cyl
Transmission: 4-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 35@4000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 55@2500rpm
MPG: 45.7
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: N/A
Year registered: 1983
Price new: £3049.80
Yours for: £4,750
Discussion
Remember reading an article in the 1980s where a motoring journalist was driven on a Greek Island road by Keke Rosberg in one of these.
Suddenly (in my head) the car became incredibly cool and capable.
Sadly, were I to buy one the driver would be me rather than an F1 World Champion and the Greek Island would be rainy Scotland.
As such, the Renualt 4 would not be nearly as cool and capable.
Suddenly (in my head) the car became incredibly cool and capable.
Sadly, were I to buy one the driver would be me rather than an F1 World Champion and the Greek Island would be rainy Scotland.
As such, the Renualt 4 would not be nearly as cool and capable.
Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Saturday 14th April 08:32
Renault 4 was one of my very first cars. Got it in 1971 and had it for about 4 years. During this time we lived in Northamptonshire and visited our families in Surrey nearly every weekend, taking our baby son born in 1972. Up and down the M1 at a maybe 55 mph if lucky, fully loaded with baby gear etc. Took 2 1/2 hours usually.
Car was very basic, all shiny grey metal inside and rubber flooring, with a push/pull three speed gear lever through the "dashboard" area. Totally versatile car that achieved far more than we ever expected of it.
Where are you now EOO 489B? So many fab memories of you....I'd take you back like a shot.
R.
Car was very basic, all shiny grey metal inside and rubber flooring, with a push/pull three speed gear lever through the "dashboard" area. Totally versatile car that achieved far more than we ever expected of it.
Where are you now EOO 489B? So many fab memories of you....I'd take you back like a shot.
R.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Remember reading an article in the 1980s where a motoring journalist was driven on a Greek Island road by Keke Rosberg in one of these.
Suddenly (in my head) the car became incredibly cool and capable.
Sadly, were I to buy one the driver would be me rather than an F1 World Champion and the Greek Island would be rainy Scotland.
As such, the Renualt 4 would not be nearly as cool and capable.
Suddenly (in my head) the car became incredibly cool and capable.
Sadly, were I to buy one the driver would be me rather than an F1 World Champion and the Greek Island would be rainy Scotland.
As such, the Renualt 4 would not be nearly as cool and capable.
Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Saturday 14th April 08:32
I bought one of these unseen in Slovenia for peanuts a few years ago - flew out, picked it up and drove it home. Possibly the least sporty vehicle I've ever attempted to hustle up a series of alpine hairpins, with body roll of maritime proportions and an engine which, while kinda torquey, had a total lack of enthusiasm for revs. Still a fun, unique thing to drive though, with a charm all of its own.
My appreciation for all things quatrelle may have been dented somewhat when I got back to the UK, only to find the chassis was basically made of expanding foam and positive thoughts, necessitating a pretty extensive restoration, but still, can't hold that against it...
My appreciation for all things quatrelle may have been dented somewhat when I got back to the UK, only to find the chassis was basically made of expanding foam and positive thoughts, necessitating a pretty extensive restoration, but still, can't hold that against it...
Wonderful cars. That 1108 engine runs like a sewing machine.
I have lost count of how many of these I have welded / fitted clutches / replaced head gaskets upon. But I would just love to own one. Perhaps find a rusted out R5 Gordini turbo to rob the engine from?
The French have a race series for them - more like a mini Dakar. Now THAT has to be fun!!
ETA
There you go! Yours (or mine) for €3200!!!
I have lost count of how many of these I have welded / fitted clutches / replaced head gaskets upon. But I would just love to own one. Perhaps find a rusted out R5 Gordini turbo to rob the engine from?
The French have a race series for them - more like a mini Dakar. Now THAT has to be fun!!
ETA
There you go! Yours (or mine) for €3200!!!
Edited by V8 FOU on Saturday 14th April 10:23
These were incredibly popular in Italy back in the day as they were bigger inside than the contemporary Fiat 127 and were infinitely more reliable. Also, they sit very tall which made them very useful when going through unpaved roads/fields etc.
They handle like a heavier 2CV, same scary body roll and all that. I'm fond of them as a childhood memory.
They handle like a heavier 2CV, same scary body roll and all that. I'm fond of them as a childhood memory.
The R4 really is one of the unsung heros of motoring. Mention French utility cars and it's always the 2CV which comes up - fair enough, if was there first and is a truely incredible piece of design. But the R4 absolutely monstered the Deux Chevaux in the sales charts, outselling it by more than 2:1. Even if you include all the 2CV spin-offs and variants, the Citroen only just exceedes the R4's total over its much longer production run.
I love the 2CV but if I'm honest the R4 has all the loveable character of the Citroen (low-power, rev-happy, unburstable engine, push/pull gearchange, soft long-travel suspension, huge body roll but immense grip, minimalist design, removable seats) but in a more refined, more spacious, more practical and (relatively) higher performance package. There comes a point where you get fed up of endlessly shoving grease into bits of the 2CV's suspension or having to remove bits of the bodywork to do routine servicing, or patching up under-specced electrics and tracing faults in a bird's nest of entirely green wiring. A disc-braked R4 GTL is simply a hugely better car.
The French knew it, and as soon as the R4 was available basically turned away from the 2CV. By the 1980s France was the third-biggest market for the Citroen behind West Germany and the UK. The Francophiles who wanted to live the French rural idyll in Islington didn't realise (or care) that the French countryside ran on the backs of R4s, not 2CVs and had done for decades. You can still find GTLs (usually in sun-bleached white with bent bumpers and dented wings) in regular use in the less rust-prone bits of France. But try and find anyone still using a 2CV as a functional piece of daily transport.
I love the 2CV but if I'm honest the R4 has all the loveable character of the Citroen (low-power, rev-happy, unburstable engine, push/pull gearchange, soft long-travel suspension, huge body roll but immense grip, minimalist design, removable seats) but in a more refined, more spacious, more practical and (relatively) higher performance package. There comes a point where you get fed up of endlessly shoving grease into bits of the 2CV's suspension or having to remove bits of the bodywork to do routine servicing, or patching up under-specced electrics and tracing faults in a bird's nest of entirely green wiring. A disc-braked R4 GTL is simply a hugely better car.
The French knew it, and as soon as the R4 was available basically turned away from the 2CV. By the 1980s France was the third-biggest market for the Citroen behind West Germany and the UK. The Francophiles who wanted to live the French rural idyll in Islington didn't realise (or care) that the French countryside ran on the backs of R4s, not 2CVs and had done for decades. You can still find GTLs (usually in sun-bleached white with bent bumpers and dented wings) in regular use in the less rust-prone bits of France. But try and find anyone still using a 2CV as a functional piece of daily transport.
MJK 24 said:
Still in use as everyday transport in The Algarve. I saw three or four each day when I visited.
Having owned a couple of 2CVS and driven thousands of mostly rural miles in 4s I think you'd need to be on drugs to pay near 5K for one.Sure they have lots of character, I love their simplicity and they are surprisingly good fun to drive but 5 grand? f
king insane, I guess that's the price of nostalgia, perhaps I should go and dig out the example we've left rotting in our chicken shededit to add: the Algarve is where my car is located, we used to use them as hacks to get around our land and pick up waste food for the pigs. Our neighbours still use one for similar purposes.
Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 14th April 10:40
I had one as a first car and seeing this makes me want one all over again. Mine was a white Gtl 1.1 with red interior. Alas a combination of rust and going 6 up over a speed bump resulted in the near side trailing arm coming off. The clutch was ridiculously heavy, holding it down for any length of time could result in Elvis leg. Many great memories in that car.
A check of eBay must be in order...
A check of eBay must be in order...
This car brings back bad memories. At university I had this girlfriend....
Her mum and Dad came for the weekend and rocked up in what I guess was a late model one of these. It was plastered with window stickers from local radio stations, steam railways and "funny". "I do it in a Renault" "We Arnott insured" type of things.
Her Dad was a dead ringer for the Harry Enfield character that wore a flat cap.
https://youtu.be/eH56UOjDQ4A
He called his wife who looked like the mother of the Viz character "Spoilt bd" "Mum" She called him "Dad"
Not forgetting the jailbait teenage younger sister who i understand taught one friend of mine a thing or two that weekend.
This was the days before digital cameras, so it was unusual to be continually snapping film. This guy always had a SLR round his neck and continually photographed everything and anything.
It was suggested that I take him for a drink with my friends. We got him olivered on his tipple of choice, Southern Comfort, and while he was having a Pee two friends got his camera nipped outside and took pictures of their arses.
It was clear the family had plans for me. I ended the relationship a short while later and went out with a Colonel's daughter for the remainder of my time at University. (He drove a new Mitsubishi Pajero.) So I never found out old Flat Cap's reaction when he got the film developed.
So, the Renault 4. You can keep it thanks very much.
Her mum and Dad came for the weekend and rocked up in what I guess was a late model one of these. It was plastered with window stickers from local radio stations, steam railways and "funny". "I do it in a Renault" "We Arnott insured" type of things.
Her Dad was a dead ringer for the Harry Enfield character that wore a flat cap.
https://youtu.be/eH56UOjDQ4A
He called his wife who looked like the mother of the Viz character "Spoilt b
d" "Mum" She called him "Dad"Not forgetting the jailbait teenage younger sister who i understand taught one friend of mine a thing or two that weekend.
This was the days before digital cameras, so it was unusual to be continually snapping film. This guy always had a SLR round his neck and continually photographed everything and anything.
It was suggested that I take him for a drink with my friends. We got him olivered on his tipple of choice, Southern Comfort, and while he was having a Pee two friends got his camera nipped outside and took pictures of their arses.
It was clear the family had plans for me. I ended the relationship a short while later and went out with a Colonel's daughter for the remainder of my time at University. (He drove a new Mitsubishi Pajero.) So I never found out old Flat Cap's reaction when he got the film developed.
So, the Renault 4. You can keep it thanks very much.
Edited by Wildcat45 on Saturday 14th April 11:14
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