Last weekend was Auto Motor Klassiek present in Flowerdome Eelde. Traditionally, Eelde Classics was held there. For me, a feast of recognition, and a wonderful fair to walk around. And to extensively search for special classics, automobilia, parts, brochures and miniatures. Within the last two categories I succeeded as usual. At the end of the day I went home with an original Dutch Saab 96 GL brochure (from the model year of my own Saab) and a NOREV model of the Ford Mustang '68. And with another trophy: the Renault 4 GTL in the scale 1:43, and in the 1993 Monte Carlo rally performance.
The scale model of Vitesse won from a beautiful Estafette bus, which was also scaled down 43 times. I bought it at the Renault in Miniature stand. Freddy Vossebelt had made something special of it, and he sold exclusively Renault models. I will tell you more about the magic of the papspoon, but you can count on a nice conversation at the stand with small Renaults. So I bought my model from him. And boy, I am as happy as a child with it. The Renault 4 Monte Carlo miniature is a true scale replica of the R4GTL with which the Monte Carlo rally was driven during the nineties, including color scheme, decals and roll cage.
What makes it so special: this Viertje represents the original from 1993. And then you know. That was the last full year of construction of the icon of Renault, which has been one of my ten favorite cars in history for a lifetime. Functional and characteristic French uniqueness at its best, unpretentious and from there able to offer everyone the maximum that minimalism has to offer. And that was a lot, a whole lot, with the R4. In all circumstances. Still.
It was not without reason that the Renault 4 also participated in tough rallies. It participated in the Dakar rallies, and the R4 was also sometimes on the starting list for other tough trials. Such as in the Monte Carlo rally of 1993, the entry list of which was also filled with other Renault models. The R11, which had long since ceased to be built, the R5 GT Turbo and the Clio 16 S were also at the start of one of the most beautiful rallies on the calendar. It was the time when Toyota had become very big in competition and had a cracking competition weapon in the house with the Celica Turbo 4WD. It was the time when Lancia had just taken a step back in the WRC. The era taught us that Peugeot made an impression and that the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO and the masterful Ford Escort RS Cosworth became icons, and already were. And it was the era that the WRC arms race was dominated by drivers such as Juha Kankkunen, Carlos Sainz, Miki Biasion, Didier Auriol and Francois Delecour. Like yesterday, that's how it feels. And it really has been over three decades.
Within that perspective, one of the most sympathetic cars ever acted during the last days of January 1993. Renault had already decided to take the R4 out of production, the Twingo was eager to take over. Jacky Cesbron and navigator Paul Giroud were at the start in Reims with the richly stickered (among others, coachbuilder Heuliez linked the name to the rally R4GTL) and equipped Renault, and were ready for the adventure. The expedition lasted a long time, and the team managed to complete twenty of the 22 special stages. Of course: there was a role in the margin, but the upward trend was certainly there.
In special stage 21 (on the Col de Bleine) the crew of the modest rally weapon gave up the fight. But the Renault and its team had fought bravely. For me the surrender was somewhat symbolic. It felt as if the Renault 4 had now definitively handed over the baton, that the end was inevitable. The end that was embraced with verve and heart. Because the Renault had persevered for so long. Just as the R4 also had stamina. Don't forget: Renault built the R4 from 1961, and production in Morocco stopped at the beginning of 1994. The zeitgeist had long since overtaken the Viertje, but the legend will last forever. Because with the R4 the French manufacturer got the most out of the basics of motoring in extremis. And made the R4 the best-selling French car in history.
That was what I felt when I held the Vitesse model in my hands on a beautiful Saturday in Eelde. I decided to leave the Estafette miniature for what it was. The scale model of the R4 GTL in Monte Carlo 1993 livery went with me to Leeuwarden. That was my decision, and without delay I paid the asking price. Because I knew that the symbolism of this 43 times smaller model was worth gold to me.
In Spain our “daily” car is a 1981 R4 built by FASA in Spain (“cuatro latas” they call it here). I am also a big 2CV enthusiast and have one in Belgium, but the R4 drives so much better than the duck. I never thought the R4 was that special, not even in my youth, but now I am completely converted!
I drive R6 with great pleasure. Now. Was in 1979 my first car and since 2022 my last. Also in the same color. Agree with Paul de Wit. Bigger brother of the R4 and smaller of the R16. Such a wonderful and practical car where you can do a lot yourself. Enjoy!
Very tasty piece by Erik, in the well-known tone. My freshly made cappuccino with a piece of artisanal pastry stick. The crackling candle and the mix is completely complete. Oh well, and then there is also a 'quatrelletje' that plays the leading role, so you make the average Tuesday evening more than bearable. Because yes, I have been eaten to my knees more than once for these kinds of 1/43 models of the 4L. Thanks for this Erik.
Nice story, I myself had the Renault 6 at that time with the same great and comfortable torsion suspension. Still a pity that you don't read anything about that fine car here. That you don't read much about the Daufine is understandable, they started to rust in the brochure.
The R6 was indeed a very nice car to drive, but it lacked the character that the R4 had in abundance.
I drove the R6 and found it more mature than the R4, more of a bigger brother…