Vehicle Description
1990 Renault R4 Wagon
The Renault 4, also known as the 4L, (pronounced "Quatrelle" in
French), is a small economy car produced by the French automaker
Renault between 1961 and 1994. Although the Renault 4 was marketed
as a short station wagon, its minimal rear overhang, and single
top-hinged rear opening made it the world's first mass-produced
hatchback car, as well as the first front-wheel drive family car
produced by Renault.
Bonjour! For consignment, a 1990 version of the "Quadrelle" made in
France then exported to the Japanese market. Eventually then making
its way to America where it remains in its left hand drive format.
It has a wonderfully intricate interior use of materials, is a real
gas saver and was built to actually compete with the 2CV for
Citroen, which it resembles to a degree. It has a new expanded roof
sliding canvas for the "open air" feel, and 4 doors with a
hatchback. Transporter loin!
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by
the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws
to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public
highways in your area.*
Exterior
All steel bathed in silver paint which has had a few repairs for
rust remediation is now all solid bodywork. Plenty of tinted glass
with the usual french intricate sliding, opening, and up and down
design for said glass. 4 doors plus a back side glass and a rear
tailgate allow for plenty of access to store your stuff in this
econo-box traveler. The body design is much unchanged since
inception, it has a black front bumper with a rounded over front
quarter and grille in elongated oval format. A single headlight is
on either side and the grille is black with a shiny diamond shaped
central Renault badge. The rockers have a wide plastic molding
attached to them and the roof has a full canvas retractable top to
allow for airflow to the entire car or just the front seat
passengers depending on how far you retract it. The tall rear
tailgate is also reminiscent of the 2CV, has vertical tail lights
on either side, and a large tinted glass on the top. Another black
curved bumper is below. Simple steel wheels are wrapped in
155/80R15 rubber from the 23rd week of 2018 on all 4 corners.
Enchante!
Interior
Any self respecting designer and fabric specialist will just die to
get onto this interior which sports medium blue, turquoise and
orange highlighted plaid inserts within a light blue field of
broadcloth bolsters along with orange piping for the seats. The
door panels and a rear bench use the same pattern and is an
Accroche-regard. To add to the interest, (confusion?), in front
black and red checkered floor carpeting and mats are installed. You
would think it would clash, but in reality it is a design coup.
Plenty of texture for the molded plastic square and rectangle
panels and the equally as intricate as the fabric seating. In front
of the driver is a sweep speedometer and a myriad of round button
style warning lights that if all were to go on you'll think it's
Christmas, (or in the case of this car it would be a true disaster,
but fear not, none are currently lit!). The factory wheel is
fronting this dash and the shifter is also here as well. Below the
dash we note AC vents and controls and in front of the passenger,
in lieu of a glove box, is a storage tray. Above is a black vinyl
headliner which is slightly wrinkly and is everywhere the canvas is
not covering the panoramic skylight opening. The remainder of the
floors are in utilitarian ribbed rubber liner.
Drivetrain
Under the hood within an engine bay that sports more stickers than
a current NASCAR racer, is a mini 956cc 4 cylinder engine. It has a
1-barrel carburetor, and a factory 4 speed manual transmission on
the back. The rear axle is an 4.125 ratio. Battre le fer pendant
qu'il est chaud.!
Undercarriage
Just amazingly clean with no rust just stamped and framed steel in
shiny black Ziebart painted garb. It's literally like new. This car
rides on independent torsion bars all around and has manual disc
and drum brakes on the front and rear as well. A stock exhaust is
on and all is extremely clean although missing the catalytic
converter.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and it came to life with a smooth idle. With a
max of 35hp you will not set the world on fire, but it will
definitely get up to highway speeds, (65mph), and stay there for as
long as one needs it to. Good handling, smooth braking and the
shifter in the dash is unique. I noted the AC is not working and
requires a retrofit to R134A
A not oft seen example on America's roads as it was produced
strictly for the French market. This car found its way to Japan and
eventually to the USA where it can become a unique example of
French Engineering. (Est-ce une contradiction?) Either way you'll
be the only person on your block that has one.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
