…well, in the context of 21st century Seattle, that is. Everyone knows the famous VW Type 1, and some car nerds know the Renault 4CV, but this gorgeous seafoam specimen (shot by runningonfumes) will still leave many scratching their heads. As a slightly larger car with a shape which emphasized its roundness, the Beetle looks a lot more normal to most bystanders than the Renault’s mini-American car shape, even when taking the Volkswagen’s familiarity into account. It’s hard to appreciate just how little and cute these are without seeing one in person, and the perspective of this photo upholds an illusion of greater size.
The 4CV’s traditional-for-1946 styling is in keeping with Renault’s reputation as a conservative automaker (relative to the likes of Citroen and Panhard), but in terms of minimalism, it has the Beetle beat by about 250 pounds, even with four doors. Not that it doesn’t actually share a great deal with the famous People’s Car, with an rear-engined layout, unibody construction and independent suspension. While accounts of the car’s development do mention that Ferry Porsche participated in its conception, it was so well into its development by the time of his involvement that whatever impact he had must’ve been minimal.
More likely, the KdF-wagen which had inspired the Renault engineers who worked on the 4CV in secret during the war already represented state-of-the-small-car-art in the ’40s, owing to its own Tatra-inspired engineering. It’s a shame that both Renault and VW stuck with the formula well past its sell-by date (oddly enough, the other famous Czech carmaker, Skoda, were inspired by the rear-engined Renault Dauphine when designing their mid ’60s cars and would later consult Porsche when creating its late ’80s replacement; an incestuous world, car design).
Is cohort contributor runningonfumes especially tall? Or does does this picture do a better job of emphasizing the car’s short stature? I’m betting that the latter is true, as the striking narrowness of these cars when seen in person barely registers in this shot. It appears to be a post 1958 model, judging by its wheels, though the badge on the back which says “Renault Special” doesn’t tell me much about the car. A search for those terms brings up many results, but nothing about a specific 4CV with that model designation. If someone knows more, please share. As it is, in 2014 USA, where a Superbeetle will turn heads, this pastel Renault practically defines what it is to be special.
Related reading:
Storage Yard Classic: Renault 4 – French Basics,
Curbside Classic: Renault R10 – When Being A Better Volkswagen Isn’t Good Enough
Design/style wise I like this better than the Beetle. The 4cv would actually be a cute “reto” style to revive.
The new Renault Twingo comes pretty close, also rear-engined and rear wheel drive. And very small.
What a cool little car this 4CV is and I like the reverse Suicide Doors. The gutter running along the edge of the roof and down to the rear fenders sure is interesting.
I’ve heard that back in the day in France there was occasionally intense rivalry between owners of these Renaults and Citroen 2CV owners. I remember seeing a photo of one tipped over on a Paris street, allegedly by 2CV driving thugs. The 4CVs were more refined than the 2CV, but the rear engine design combined with narrow track led to a reputation for dangerous handling near the limit.
It’s cute, but as far as durability go’s I’ll take the VW. I used to have a 66 dual carb fastback. I don’t know how hip it would be today, but it would still be a unusual car with decent reliability and you can get most mechanical parts fairly easily. This car would be cool, but hard to maintain especially if you used it for a daily driver..
The larger front windshield gives it better forward visibility than a VW.
These things were so slow I think rear visibility was more important.
Great to see one in the States; There weren’t many that survived into the 60s here even back in the day, but I suppose I probably saw a few still. Dauphines were very popular here for a few years in the late 50s, and were the #2 selling import car for a while.
Porsche’s direct involvement was very minimal, as the 4CV was almost production-ready when he was in France in 1945.
I spotted this one driving off the ferry. Was able to catch up to it at the stoplight and walk into traffic to get a couple of shots. It was facing uphill, so that skews the height view as I was downhill of the rear of the car. It is a lovely little “Cat Say Vay”. From the rear it looks exactly like what it is, a French Beetle.
Despite my comment earlier, I do like the car. In fact I miss them times when you had the choice of various drive configurations and engine configurations. I could tell from the engine noise what car was going by. That is impossible today.
I also like that it has no metallic paint and possibly no clear coat.
I didn’t realize the Twingo has a rear mounted engine. It ‘s nice to see this concept is still alive (beyond Porsche).
Only the new model/concept is rear engine
The new Twingo will be available at the dealerships in september. Always 3 cylinders and 5 doors.
Great find. These were hardly ever seen where I lived. Interesting to see it side by side with a beetle. Thanks for the article.
I rode in one once as a child a school friends father drove one I could tell even then it had the engine in the back like a VW but without the chaffcutter noise of the beetle, I havent seen on in a long time though. Good catch.
It’s cute and ugly,like my French bulldog.I’ve never seen a 4CV in the metal
And you could hand crank them (at least the early models):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w_FqGwmrOs
I still saw a few Dauphines around SoCal when I moved here in 72; a friend had just traded hers for a VW around that time. But I don’t think I’ve seen one of these cars outside of Europe.
There was a DKW Sonderklasse (3=6) in the back ground of the video. It is about as opposite to the Renault 4CV as it gets.3 cylinder,2cycle FWD. Back then you had true choices.
It’s hard to appreciate just how little and cute these are without seeing one in person,
Size is relative. I went to an “air cooled” car show today. Compared to the VWs, Porches, and Corvairs, the Daffodil made even the Trabants look big.
So cute and love the period color. I remember the Dauphine as a child in Pittsburgh, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one of these on the road.
The Fiat 500 is available in a very similar green (almost certainly clear-coated, but not necessarily metallic).
I can’t imagine driving such a car in Pittsburgh, home to some of the world’s steepest streets.
Nice ! .
A buddu of mine found one of these in ‘ survivor ‘ condition , blue , only minimal surface rust , he got it running and driving etc. , a fun little car .
I used to have a Renault Dauphine with the weird electric ” Ferlic Clutch ” system that Tom Mc Cahil loved so much , I wasn’t fond of it .
-Nate
There is a hint to a “4CV Speciale” at http://www.oldtimer-tv.com/oldtimer/DE/oldtimer/index.php?Seite=334 (in German only)
According to that source Jean Rédélé (the founder of Alpine – c.f. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_R%C3%A9d%C3%A9l%C3%A9) once built a “4CV Speciale” and won a class victory at the Mille Miglia in 1952 with this car..But that was a 4CV with an aluminum body and I doubt that the above green 4CV features that.
Interesting article!
The mother of a classmate drove one of these. Even when I was seven and eight I thought it cramped, but great fun.
What a fantastic little car! Certainly rare to nonexistent here in the States…kudos to its intrepid pilot and it’s a great addition to the scenery wherever it travels!
Back in the 1950s our family doctor used to make house calls in a 4CV. It was always fun to watch him get in or out of the car, he was over 6′ tall.
The first production cars came in a dull yellow colour, which was due to using up war surplus paint intended for the Afrika Korps, The 4CV was also built in Japan by Hino.