PetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlogPetrolBlog
  • Home
  • 70s cars
  • 80s cars
  • 90s cars
  • 00s cars
  • Manufacturers
    • CITROËN
    • PEUGEOT
    • RENAULT
    • Alfa Romeo
    • Audi
    • Dacia
    • Daihatsu
    • Fiat
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Lancia
    • Matra
    • Mazda
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
    • Opel
    • Proton
    • Saab
    • Seat
    • Skoda
    • Suzuki
    • Talbot
    • Toyota
    • Vauxhall
    • Volkswagen
    • Volvo
  • Features
    • 10 of the best
    • CarTunes
    • General Bunk
    • It’s time to appreciate
    • Major Waffle
    • New cars
    • Regrets
    • Reviews
    • Save Our Scrap
    • Shatchbacks
    • Shednesday
    • The Barn
    • Whatever happened to?
  • Garage
  • Shop
0

As seen on PB: Renault 4 F6

Published by Gavin Big-Surname at 29th April 2021
As Seen on PB Renault 4 F6

Friend of the show, Club PetrolBlog member, Mk1 Renault Twingo owner and Lobster Diecast supremo David Austin asked if he could write some words on his Renault 4 F6. Of course he can, so it’s over to David.

In our formative years, when we were less old and more impressionable, young boys would have pictures of exotica such as Ferrari Testarossas, 911 Carreras or girls playing tennis while wearing implausibly short skirts.

These influences shape our lives and desires as we get older, when that classic sports car becomes within reach. Though it seems that Wendy James from Transvision Vamp, who a teenage David lusted after, still proves elusive.

But the objects of my automotive affection have proved easier to attain. That’s because, unlike the Aston Martins and other exotica loved by my classmates, my bedroom walls were covered in pictures of #FrenchTat. That’s good, because apart from anything else, the running costs of older French cars are far lower than those of more supposedly exotic machinery hailing from Stuttgart or Modena.

And it also goes to explain why the love of my automotive life, well one of them at least, is a Renault van.

Something Beautiful

Renault 4 F6

Why a van? I don’t know, but I’ve always liked French vans of a certain age. Perhaps it was the family holidays in the 1980s, walking around the typical French street market. Because there, in amongst the baskets of chickens, wheels of brie and enticing mountains of pain au chocolat, there was always an assortment of Citroën H vans, Peugeot J7 vans and of course, the Renault 4 F6.

Bought in 2007, my F6 has history. Apparently it was used in a Robbie Williams music video, although I’ve never seen any evidence. If you think I’ve got nothing better to do than sit through hours of Robbie videos on YouTube then you’re very much mistaken. The van did come from a London-based film production company, so who knows?

Back in 2007 I casually mentioned on a Renault 4 forum (OK, not that casually) that if anyone happened to have a Saviem Blue, late production F6 van in good condition then I might be interested. Needless to say, within a couple of days, one was found and bought, replacing my Alfa 145 QV as the love of my life.

No Regrets

C-reg Renault 4 van

Since then it’s led a relatively easy life. Getting married in 2008 saw it bedecked with ribbons as our wedding car. It has also enjoyed a few visits to its homeland, almost without incident.

Almost you say? Well, yes. The 1108cc motor and four-speed gearbox aren’t happy playmates on the autoroute. After disembarking the ferry at Calais and attempting motorway speeds on the way to the Loire Valley, after about an hour the air adjustment screw on the carb made a bid for freedom and probably still sits at the side of the A1 near Abbeville.

A repair of sorts was improvised with cable ties and a rubber grommet from a floor mat which did enable the journey to be completed where a replacement carburettor was bought and fitted; fortunately we were on our way to a Renault show.

It is, as the more eagle-eyed might have noticed, not entirely standard. Under the bonnet lives a bigger carb – from a Renault 5 TS, no less – which allows an extra 9bhp to flow through its veins. It also sits on Fergat steel wheels from a 1984 5 Le Car 2 Turbo, partly because I like them and they look good, but also because the increased grip actually does make a difference – the F6 was the only vehicle in the Renault 4 range to get front and rear anti-roll bars, so it actually handles reasonably well.

The word ‘reasonably’ is doing quite a bit of heavy lifting here as it’s entertaining rather than the sort of B-road weapon we tend to get excited about. Inside, the standard, fixed-back rear seats were ditched in favour of Mk1 R5 seats with the ability to recline. A Renault 5 GT Turbo steering wheel completes the upgrade, this being the nicest steering wheel ever made, as everyone surely knows.

She’s the One

Lobster Diecast Renault

Back to the here and now. The last 12 months have obviously meant a lack of Renault 4 F6 activity – it has barely ventured out. Our plan to get back to France this summer for the bi-annual ‘4L International’ show has been shelved due to the pandemic. Hopefully we should get to Festival of the Unexceptional (unless a Twingo decides otherwise), before making our indoor show debut at the NEC Classic Motor Show this November.

There’s a couple of little jobs to do and a few bits of bodywork to tidy up before then. Beyond that, the plan is just to enjoy it. I never thought I’d be in a position where a humble French commercial vehicle would become ‘the one’ but there we have it. I can’t imagine parting with it.

PetrolBlog Score

Everything needs a score. It’s how it works. So dusting off the old PetrolBlog Score, let’s see where we come out.

The Pint Of Milk test

Well, yes. Although it should probably be a bottle of red, shouldn’t it? 6 out of 10 I think.

The Petrol Station Forecourt test

I absolutely adore it and think it looks perfect, so do I glance back as I walk into pay for my super unleaded? You bet I do. Has to be a good, solid 9 out of 10 on that one.

Renault 4 F6 PetrolBlog Score

The ‘You Don’t See Many Of Those’ test

The one thing you find if you own a Renault 4, especially a van, is that they make you a lot of new friends. All of whom tell you that exact thing. The PB scorecard says that if there’s between 10-99 left in the UK then we get 9 points. I’ll take that.

The Bangernomics test

This is a difficult one. You can run a Renault 4 for a pretty small sum and parts availability is pretty good. I bought this back in 2007 for £2000 which was pretty strong money back then. Buying one today will set you back a multiple of that amount so while actual running costs are lowish, it’s the buying one that isn’t.

PetrolBlog’s style guide offers points based on purchase price. So it’s 8 points based on what we paid, versus 6 points if you want one today. I think we’ll need an independent adjudicator to rule on that one.

The PetrolBloggyness test

This is a more emotional thing than anything else. But I adore it and can’t imagine a time when I could sell it so it’s got to be a 10 for me.

The verdict

We’ll err on the side of caution with respect to the Bangernomics category but that still gives (an entirely self-awarded) 40 out of a possible 50 PetrolBlog points. I’m happy with that. Now, presumably there’s a trophy somewhere?

Big thanks to David Austin for the words and pictures. An AS SEEN ON PB sticker is winging its way to Lobster Diecast HQ. Don’t forget to follow David on Twitter for more French car goodness.

Also read:

  • David has bought a Mk1 Renault Twingo
  • Vantastique! Volkswagen Polo Transfer
  • The man who bought NINE Renault Avantimes
Share
0


Related Waffle


Club PetrolBlog most beautiful

Club PetrolBlog members at their most beautiful

Aug 20, 2021
Renault Avantime in Geneva

You won’t believe these facts about French cars

Aug 19, 2021
Renault 14 Safrane

The Renault 14 Safrane was a hatchback for the aristocracy

Jun 15, 2021
1993 Clio Baccara for sale

Buy this Renault Clio Baccara and be like PetrolBlog

May 14, 2021

1 Comment

  1. MARINETTI says:
    3rd May 2021 at 6:05 pm

    Sacré bleu 💙

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

JOIN CLUB PETROLBLOG

Club PetrolBlog

Latest PetrolBlog Videos:

https://youtu.be/0Yi-RNS8gQw
https://youtu.be/z5-FKWwes_4

PetrolBlog in print!

Classic.Retro.Modern

Support PetrolBlog – Buy Stickers

  • Too Good to Scrap TOO GOOD TO SCRAP window sticker £3.00
  • My car is the goat bumper sticker My car is the G.O.A.T bumper sticker £3.00
  • PETROLBLOG laptop sticker PetrolBlog laptop sticker £3.00 £2.50
  • Tollfoolery sticker Tollfoolery car bumper sticker £3.50
  • French Tat bumper sticker #FrenchTat bumper sticker £3.50
  • French Tat window sticker #FrenchTat window sticker £4.00
  • Waffle & Bunk laptop sticker Waffle & Bunk laptop sticker £3.00 £2.50
  • PetrolBlog sticker PetrolBlog car sticker £4.00
  • GOAT My car is the G.O.A.T window sticker £3.00
  • Club PetrolBlog 2021 to 2022 Club PetrolBlog membership 2021/2022
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    £15.00

What you’re saying

  • 22nd June 2022

    David Cooper commented on Whatever happened to the Talbot Matra Rancho?

  • 8th June 2022

    Astra commented on Has Top Gear wrecked a Matra Bagheera?

  • 30th May 2022

    Joss commented on Britain, stop getting the Reliant Robin wrong

  • 19th May 2022

    Mr Anonymous commented on Whatever happened to the Daihatsu Applause?

  • 13th May 2022

    Ben H commented on PetrolBlog: the chump is coming back

Fresh waffle

  • Citroen 2CV resting on the back of a truck1
    PetrolBlog: the chump is coming back
    13th May 2022
  • 2022 Dacia Jogger in Terracotta1
    The Dacia Jogger is a practical remix of the Matra Rancho
    14th December 2021
  • Toyota Land Cruiser No Time To Die2
    No Time To Die in a Toyota Land Cruiser
    13th December 2021
  • Fahnome Knight Rider build your own KITT0
    Sponsored: K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider is now available as a kit
    17th November 2021
  • Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur rear light7
    The Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur is the future we want
    12th November 2021
  • Club PetrolBlog most beautiful1
    Club PetrolBlog members at their most beautiful
    20th August 2021
  • Renault Avantime in Geneva0
    You won’t believe these facts about French cars
    19th August 2021
  • 2008 Citroen C51
    Berlin or bust: the Unmistakeably German ad campaign
    12th August 2021
  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres1
    PetrolBlog looks at Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres
    11th August 2021
  • Toyota Camry V6 and Porsche 9243
    An unexceptional day out in the Toyota Camry V6
    2nd August 2021

Newsletters

PetrolBlog
ABOUT | ADVERTISING / SPONSORSHIP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS | CONTACT US

The world’s least influential car blog since 2010.

Copyright © PetrolBlog.

0
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and analyse site traffic. We also share information about how you browse our site with our advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you have provided to them or that they have collected for your use of their services.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT