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Renault 4 CV or Renault Heck - France's approach to popular motorization

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Created on August 1, 1991

Reading time 10min

Written by:

Armin Doetzkies und Rob de la Rive Box

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

1

Bruno von Rotz

4

Archiv

34

Daniel Reinhard

1

Bruno von Rotz

4

Archiv

34

Solitude Revival 2011 - Jubiläums-Corso - Renault Heck

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - Luftballons aus einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1957) - für sportliche Leute - Abbildung aus einem Prospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1957) - das waren noch Farben - Abbildung in einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4-CV Prototyp (1942) - Am 26. April 1942 konnte der 4-CV-Prototyp seine erste Probefahrt absolvieren

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Renault 4-CV Prototyp (1942) - Auch beim ersten Prototyp befand sich der Motor schon im Heck des Wagens

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Renault 4-CV-Prototyp (1943) - Als der erste Prototyp als zu hässlich empfunden wurde, entstand die Nummer zwei

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Renault 4 CV (1950) - Werbung aus dem Jahre 1950 -

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Renault 4 CV (1948) - die früheren Modelle hatten eine grössere Anzahl von Chromverzierungen am Bug

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Renault 4 CV (1954) - da kann man schon stolz darauf sein

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Renault 4 CV (1954) - einfache Bedienung - Blick ins dünne Handbuch

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - auch die Polizei bediente sich der '1063'-Version

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - bereits mit vereinfachtem Kühlergrill

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - betörende Offenheit - Abbildung aus einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - bewährt im harten Rallye-Einsatz - Abbildung aus einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - hübsches Auto, sympathisches Design

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - macht auch am Strand eine gute Figur

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - macht auch in Paris eine gute Figur

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - Schnittzeichnung - die einfache Technik transparenz gemacht

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Renault 4 CV (1955) - Version '1063' im Rallye-Einsatz

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Renault 4 CV (1956) - eine Neuerung war der einstellbare Vordersitz

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Renault 4 CV (1956) - Invaliden-Renault mit besonderer Kupplung

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Renault 4 CV (1956) - Version 'Affaires' bei der 400-m-Strecke - ob da die Sportler nicht zu sehr abgelenkt wurden

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Renault 4 CV (1957) - die Frau wählt Renault - Abbildungen in einem Prospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1957) - Schnittzeichnung des Heckantriebs - aus einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1957) - viel Platz für vier Personen

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Renault 4 CV (1959) - ein spätes Modell - Abbildung aus dem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1959) - für Frau und Hund - Abbildung aus einem Verkaufsprospekt

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Renault 4 CV (1960) - eine 'Sport'-Version

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Renault 4 CV (1961) - auch für winerliche Verhältnisse geeignet

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Renault 4 CV (1961) - charakteristisch ist die Dachlinie

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Renault 4 CV (1961) - die 'Sport'-Version im Grünen

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Renault 4 CV 'Affaires' (1961) - eine praktische viertürige Limousine

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Renault 4 CV (1961) - Version 'Affaires' - Blick ins freundliche Interieur

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Renault 4 CV 'Sport' (1961) - den Heckmotor sieht man dem kleinen Renault nicht an

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Renault Heck (1959) - den Motor im Heck wie der Käfer - am OSMT Corso Zug 2011

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Solitude Revival 2011 - Jubiläums-Corso - Renault Heck

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Renault Heck (1959) - die Käferalternative Ende der Fünfzigerjahre - am OSMT Corso Zug 2011

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Oldtimer Sunday Morning Meeting in Zug - Mai 2011 - Renault Heck

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Summary

The first drawings for the Renault 4 CV "rear" were produced in 1941. Twenty years later, the last 4 CV rolled off the assembly line. Over a million cars were produced, more vehicles than - all added together - had previously been manufactured under the management of Louis Renault. The beginning had been more than rocky, but in the end all expectations were exceeded and the Renault 4 CV became the French Volkswagen. This report summarizes the eventful development history of the Renault 4 CV, supplemented by many historical illustrations, several sales brochures and the owner's manual.

This article contains the following chapters

Development steps in secret
With the boss's blessing
English bombs as catalysts
First longer test drives
Improvements to the engine
Survival of the prototype in the hail of American bombs
Defeat against the 11 CV Primaquatre
Prototype no. 2 with four doors instead of two
The Lefaucheux era
4 CV at the first post-war Paris Salon
Continuous evolution
Further information

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The first drawings for the Renault 4 CV "Heck" were produced in 1941. Twenty years later, the last of this type rolled off the assembly line. Over a million cars were produced, more vehicles than - all added together - had previously been manufactured under the management of Louis Renault. On October 22, 1940, Louis Renault was arrested by the Gestapo on suspicion of hiding gold bars and weapons in his country residence near Herqueville. After six hours of harsh interrogation, Renault was convinced that he had to show understanding towards Germany. This "collaboration" with the enemy was to cost him his life in 1944. In 1939, the Renault factories had employed over 40,000 people, who produced 17,802 cars that year. Now, in 1940, part of the workforce was unceremoniously transported to work in Germany. Those who remained were occupied with building trucks for the German army.

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