Although the Citroën 2CV is considered France’s iconic “car of the people,” its sales figures pale in comparison to those achieved by the Renault R4. In fact, during a much shorter production run, the R4 outsold the 2CV by over 2:1. This 1988 R4 Savane recently arrived on local shores after spending its life in the Netherlands. It presents extremely well and is a turnkey proposition with no apparent needs. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder JDC for spotting this French classic listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Ashburn, Virginia. The seller set their price at $12,000 for this wonderful survivor.
Renault released the R4 in 1961, breaking new ground in vehicle design. Although originally considered a short estate, the R4 is now recognized as the world’s first mass-produced hatchback. It remained on sale until 1992, selling in enormous numbers during that period. Our featured R4 left the line in 1988, ordered by its first owner in White. It is unclear when it arrived in North America, but the seller confirms it spent most of its life in the Netherlands. The car presents extremely well for an original survivor, with no major paint or panel issues. I can’t spot any evidence of rust, with the lack of surface corrosion in the engine bay a positive sign. The glass and trim are in good condition, while the Cibie spotlights will turn night into day.
The R4 was typical of French vehicles from the 1960s, featuring a relatively small engine producing moderate power and torque. As the Savane variant, it has a 956cc four-cylinder engine that delivers 34hp and 46 ft/lbs of torque, which is enough to propel this R4 to a factory-declared top speed of 73mph. The power feeds to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, revealing why the R4 was so versatile and successful. The drivertrain layout maximized interior space in what is a relatively small car. It also allowed Renault to engineer the vehicle with a low, flat cargo area floor. That made loading easy, allowing the R4 to cart some pretty bulky items. The seller recently replaced the tires and carburetor and described the Renault as fun to drive. Therefore, flying in and making the return journey behind the wheel of this classic is a viable option.
Trimmed in White vinyl with subtle, contrasting stripes, the Renault’s interior is extremely impressive. There is no evidence of wear or abuse, and the cargo area looks remarkably clean. The dash and plastic haven’t succumbed to UV exposure, and the rubber floor mats enhance the vehicle’s inherent practicality. The seller includes a radio console, and since it doesn’t actually contain a radio, the buyer could install a retro-style Bluetooth stereo for a more modern touch.
I will never downplay the importance of the Citroën 2CV, because it was effectively a tool that brought affordable mobility to the population and stimulated France’s economy following the ravages of World War II. However, the Reanualt R4 was a game-changer. It was more refined than the 2CV, offered greater versatility, and still fell within the affordable category. The sales figures tell us much, because while Citroën sold 3,872,583 examples of the 2CV between 1948 and 1990, the R4 found 8,135,424 buyers during its thirty-one-year production run. Our featured R4 Savane is a wonderful survivor, ideal for someone seeking a quirky, practical classic. Do you fall into that category?
Well, let’s see,,,quirky design( I realize the irony as an AMC fan), check, 3 bolt wheels, check, tall roof,( to clear Gendarmes hats) check, unusual body panel proportions, check, dash shifter( hate to hit that thing with your head), yep, it’s French alright. Here’s another example of such a popular car in Europe, and here, bupkis. We were lucky to see a R8 or 10. At least it has a plausible motor, I think 73 mph is a bit of a stretch, but the French aren’t stupid, they engineered the car for where it would most likely be used, going around and around the roundabouts of Paris. For a little “puddle jumper”, I’d love to have it.