I spotted this immaculate Renault 4 in Lagos, Portugal last
week. It took me back to the mid '80's when we visited the country and hired one
to explore the Algarve.
The Citroen 2CV is seen as the post war French "peoples
car", but there were twice as many Renault 4s made and at 8 million it is the most produced French car. The 4 was manufactured from 1961-92
in a remarkable 17 plants around the world.
The car I drove would have been a late model built in
Portugal with a four cylinder 1,100cc engine producing a modest 34 bhp (a third
of my FJ!) but it weighs only 600kg. In its day it would have
provided basic family transport in what was then (and still is now) a poor
country. It has four doors, four seats, good luggage space and it was the first
volume produced hatchback.
I recall the car as being quite pleasant to drive despite
its lack of power. The engine was smooth as was the long travel suspension that
coped well with the rough roads. The gearlever stuck out of the dashboard and
looked like an umbrella handle. It was very basic - not even winding windows.
No air con in a hot climate must be a pain and it won't be a good idea to be in
a crash in one.
***Update***
I found this photo of me and the 4 in 1985 - I'm dressed like tennis player for some reason
***Update#2***
I haven't seen a 4 in the UK for many years (I assumed they'd all rotted to dust in the British climate) but I came across this one at Ken Bridge today. D reg indicates 1986/7
