It had many names, the Renault 4 CV. In Germany it was called the "Crèmeschnittchen", in Switzerland the "Renault Heck", the French called it the "motte de beurre" (lump of butter), but it always remained a likeable car that met all requirements for motorized transportation. The 4x4x4 formula worked, because four doors, four cylinders and four seats were exactly what was needed for rapid progress after the war and nothing more. Especially as the car was available to buy for 424,000 francs.
It took a lot of luck for this car to be presented in 1946, and the new book "Renault 4 CV - Das Crèmeschnittchen" by Andreas Gaubatz and Jan Erhartitsch, who have already immortalized themselves in book form with the R16, the R4 and the Renault-Alpine in the past, is all about this.
This time, the two authors have been given 96 pages to describe the first new car created after the Second World War. The book is as modest and at the same time as interesting as the car it is about.
The enterprising Louis Renault
The 4 CV is primarily thanks to Louis Renault, who recognized the direction in which car development was heading even before the war. He had seen the Beetle, but also other early rear-engined cars, admired the self-supporting Opel Kadett and looked at cars from all over the world. And he wanted to be ready with a new range of vehicles after the war, consisting of a large car (11 CV, later Frégate) and a small car (4 CV).
He did not live to see the launch, which he had pushed ahead with against all odds.
Gaubatz and Erhartitsch tell the development story in detail and excitingly in the first quarter of the book. There you also learn that the car had to be developed and tested in secret and that its creation was only possible thanks to a great deal of goodwill from occupiers.
Presented in 1946, soon to be a millionaire
The Renault 4 CV was shown to the public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in 1946, but could only be purchased a year later when the Citroën 2 CV was presented at the same time. The two entry-level cars could hardly have been more different; after all, the "Katchevo" looked very presentable with its chrome bars and American-style curves, while the 2 CV was rightly described as an ugly duckling.
The number of units was quickly increased, soon 100,000, 200,000 were produced and finally the million mark was reached. Gaubatz and Erhartitsch kept at it, describing the new "Commerciale" (van with only one seat) and "Découverable" (convertible saloon) versions. By July 6, 1951, 1,105,547 units had been produced, but the successor, the Dauphine, was to be even more successful.
Sporting career
The 4 CV made a career not only on the road, but also in motorsport.
Accordingly, a separate chapter is dedicated to its use on racetracks and rally tracks, which also mentions a man who launched his own brand with the 4 CV: Jean Rédélé, founder of Alpine.
Still popular today
The Renault 4 CV still has many friends today, more than 70 years after its launch and more than 58 years after the end of production. Gaubatz and Erhartitsch dedicate almost 20 pages to collectors and fans.
A Swiss owner of the Heck, who took part in the Mille Miglia Storico with the black car and successfully completed the 1000-mile race, also has his say. He was one of the few participants on the road. Yes, you can do that with the not exactly powerful 4 CV.
Factory photos and other images
The booklet in 24 x 22 cm format is richly illustrated. The authors were able to draw from the fund of factory photos, supplemented with brochure and sales literature illustrations and added photos from the modern era, which were not always perfect.
Restorers and prospective buyers might have wished for even more detailed photos, technical illustrations and timelines, but you can't cover everything in less than a hundred pages.
At EUR 12.95, the booklet is very reasonably priced, so the lack of an index can be forgiven, especially as there is an appendix with technical data and production figures. So why hesitate? If you are a fan of the likeable Crèmeschnittchen, you will certainly enjoy this no less likeable book. And they certainly won't be annoyed by a few misplaced accents.
Bibliographic information
- Title: Renault 4 CV - The cream slice
- Authors: Andreas Gaubatz / Jan Erhartitsch
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition, January 2018
- Format: Hardcover, 24 x 22 cm
- Scope: 96 pages, 139 color and 36 black and white illustrations
- ISBN: 978-3-613-04064-9
- Price: EUR 12.95
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Motorbuch Verlag or in relevant bookstores
