Autobleu was a French brand that specialized in 'fast' intake and exhaust systems in the fifties. And was world famous in France.
R4s learn to run
The French had learned how to bend pipes together with companies such as ABARTH and mainly produced for French cars such as the RENAULT 4 CV series, the Dauphine 1093, R8 Gordini, and some Alpine models. Autobleu also made kits for it Citroen, Peugeot and Simca. After a few acquisitions, the brand disappeared in 2009. But it remained 'world famous in France'.
A lot of sports was done with the R4s, the famous 'bowler hats'. In 1953, for example, they competed in the 'Les 24 Heures du Mans'.
From free-range chicken to forest cat
Originally, such a R4 was a slow, small roller. My grandmother drove one. And after my father spotted her once near Hilversum, he decided he never wanted to let his children ride with her again. As an aside: my grandmother was a pioneer when it comes to 'The elderly, a danger in traffic'.
Driving is only dangerous if it is up to the driver. With the simple Picard block that delivered 17-21 hp, an R4tje was about 90 km / h 'fast'. And keep us for the better: that was fast enough. At least if you didn't think it was too slow. That idea was widely supported and soon it was swarming with the faster makers who wanted to unleash the bowler hats. And that could lead to between 55 and 60 (SAE!) Horses rustling under the open bonnets for better ventilation.
With what has become the Holy Grail in Renaultland, a tuned 1063 cylinder head, and a twin Weber 40 DCOE, there were even 70 rabid (SAE) ponies available at a screaming 8000 rpm.
Making it faster as a revenue model
Making R4s faster was a serious business and a widely supported revenue model. Autobleu made inlet and outlet manifolds, Speed Brissonnet made inlet manifolds, Modauto made more breathable inlet and outlet manifolds, Mecanoto Satecmo and Grignard made manifolds for 32mm (Solex32 PBIC) carburettors. Marin and Manzon came up with their own thing for that too. Ferry intake manifolds are locally legendary. Companies like Landelli made enlarged sump pans, because more oil means more cooling, which is always useful when you are in a hurry. Daprar and Ets. Niquet made beautifully ribbed and polished flip covers.
The possibilities were endless
And then there were also tuned heads, hotter camshafts, bigger valves, better connecting rods and pistons with thicker piston pin holes. Plus a whole host of one- and two-man businesses rooting anything and everything Willie.
In the meantime, there is a brisk trade in the survivors of the fast R4 era in France. And gold money is deposited for 'fast' parts. These things usually 'go' via the internet. And then there are often at least two locally operating traders in between.
Also for R8s and Dauphines
All these fun packages were also available for Dauphines and R8s. And with that, very fast copies have also ended up on circuits.
In France, where internet coverage and use is not yet as great as here, there is still a lot to be found. If you are there. And speak the language.
PS
Autobleu has also come up with a complete car: The Autobleu 4CV. Less than 10 of them are known. And for the people who go for the beautiful, there are also the things from Robri, among others.
Also interesting to read:
- Renault 4CV, the 'bowler hat'
- Simca 1000 Rallye, a bomb
- Fiat 128 rally. Beloved variation on a popular theme
- Exceptional Sprite
- Alfa Romeo Dauphine, just like a Renault
Are you already a subscriber? Auto Motor Klassiek is filled every month with fascinating reading material about old-timers, articles that you will not find on the website.
nice article, especially about all the French tuners. Would love to know more about it
The performance of the 4CV was in line with the market in its time. A Duck, Beetle or Minor were really no better, nor were a DKW or 500.
4CV also participated in the Monte-Carlo rally. And won (its class).
In the Alps, one Monsieur Rédélé won, who promptly named his own sports cars, based on the 4 CV 'Alpine'.
In the 60s I drove along as a child in my uncle's 4CV several times. I thought it was a very nice car as a child.
I got the sense of speed while driving by watching under my feet how the street cover passed quickly under the completely rusted underbody.
We were therefore always instructed to retract our feet while driving.