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Renault 4 (1961-1992): Books - History and Models

A book on Renault 4 (1961-1992) cars? Explore here illustrated books on the history, types and construction of Renault cars.

Renault 4

Launched in 1961 as Renault's answer to the Citroen 2CV, the Renault 4 went on to become one of the most successful French cars ever made.
In this readable and highly informative book, Renault 4 expert Mark Bradbury uncovers the history of the Renault 4, including the early design developments under Renault chairman Pierre Dreyfus and the ambition to build a car for the people when car ownership was soaring. This was to be a 'blue jeans car'.
Apart from its practical design, the Renault 4 also incorporated several technical 'firsts', including a sealed cooling system.

Building on its success, the Renault 4 went through several design changes and engineering improvements as well as a number of special editions. The author covers the motorsport successes, including the Paris to Dakar rally and a remarkable journey by four women in a Renault 4 through the Americas. The Renault 4 was also adapted into commercial variants such as small vans.

As Renault prepares to unveil the first ever replacement for the Renault 4, and marking the sixtieth anniversary of its first launch, this book is a timely tribute to one of the most iconic French cars.

Information

Author:Mark Bradbury
Details:96 pages, 23.5 x 16.5 x 1.4 cm / 9.25 x 6.5 x 0.55 in, paperback
Illustrations:100 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Amberley Publishing (GB, 2022)
ISBN:9781398113350

Générations 4L - 60 ans (tome 2)

Who would have believed, sixty years ago, that the Renault 4L would have such a career? With its eight million units produced between 1961 and 1992, it has known how to evolve: rustic in the countryside, it will become elegant in the city with the Parisian version, utilitarian with the van, sporty with the 4x4 Sinpar, trendy with the Plein Air...

Sixty years already and not a wrinkle! This book traces the journey of this popular car with an international reputation, which will have marked the history of the automobile of the 20th century and which continues to be part of our daily lives.

Information

Author:Philippe Berthonnet, Bernard Cannone
Details:128 pages, 24 x 27 cm / 9 x 10.6 in, paperback
Illustrations:b&w and colour photos
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2021)
ISBN:9791028304683
Générations 4L - 60 ans (tome 2)

Générations 4L - 60 ans (tome 2)

Language: French

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La Renault 6 de mon père

It never claimed to revolutionize automotive technology, nor to win the grand prix d'elegance, nor did it want to turn the tables by proposing a new way of understanding the automobile, as some of the Régie's cars did. No, the Renault 6 simply had the ambition to offer Renault 4 owners (for example...) who wanted to change their vehicle something a little better finished, a little prettier and a little more comfortable.

In short, a car that was above all practical, habitable and accessible to almost all budgets. With also, certainly, the idea behind its head to cut the rumps of the new rival "opposite": the Citroën Dyane, which appeared a year earlier. Of course, like this rival, it never really overshadowed its glorious predecessor, whose career continued long after it was retired.

But for all that, the Renault 6 did not disgrace itself, with nearly 1 750 000 units on the clock. Popular in France, in cities as well as in the countryside, the Renault 6 also seduced many motorists for export, particularly in Belgium, Spain, Argentina and Colombia, where it was assembled.
It is ultimately a rich career that the Renault 6 has had, and that we invite you to discover through this book.

Information

Author:Bernard Vermeylen, Michael Thivet
Details:120 pages, 22 x 25 x 2 cm / 8.7 x 9.8 x 0.79 in, hardback
Illustrations:300 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2021)
Series:De mon père
ISBN:9791028304850
La Renault 6 de mon père

La Renault 6 de mon père

Language: French

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Générations 4 L

It has been seen on the roads for over fifty years. Fifty years that it has transported, conveyed, carried men, women and children. Fifty years during which it will have served the army, the post office, the electricians of EDF-GDF and even the firefighters.

Fifty years of work in the hands of artisans and farmers, fifty years of more or less good treatment in the good care of penniless students...
Fifty years and not a wrinkle! To the point that one would think it was still in production. A must that will have conquered the hearts of all motorists.

Come and take a ride in a 4L, or rather in the 4Ls of the characters, complete strangers or celebrities, illustrating this work, to discover one of the French cars that will have most marked the history of the automobile of the 20th century.
A work not to be missed for all fans of the Renault 4L.

Information

Author:Philippe Berthonnet, Bernard Canonne
Details:128 pages, 24 x 27 cm / 9 x 10.6 in, hardback
Illustrations:250 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2010)
ISBN:9782726893074
Générations 4 L

Générations 4 L

Language: French

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Générations 4L - 60 ans (Tomes 1 et 2 - Coffret)

On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Renault 4L, this work retraces its journey through a magnificent box set composed of two volumes. Practical, modern, almost timeless, it has been with us for sixty years and certainly for a long time to come.

Delve into the history of its genesis, its development, discover the little anecdotes that made its great history. Appreciate to what extent it will have participated in the progress of a society in full mutation.
Take a seat at the wheel of the 4L, our famous car with an international reputation, which will have marked the history of the automobile of the 20th century and which continues to be part of our daily lives.

Information

Author:Philippe Berthonnet, Bernard Cannone
Details:256 pages, 25.5 x 28.5 x 4.1 cm / 10 x 11.2 x 1.61 in, paperback
Illustrations:600 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2021)
ISBN:9791028304690
Générations 4L - 60 ans (Tomes 1 et 2 - Coffret)

Générations 4L - 60 ans (Tomes 1 et 2 - Coffret)

Language: French

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La Renault 4 L de mon père

Who would have believed, in 1961, the year it first appeared on the scene, that the Renault 4 would have such a career? More than thirty years later, the figures - eight million units produced between 1961 and 1992 - and the facts speak for themselves; with its rough-hewn silhouette, its fifth door that would set a precedent and its technical innovations, it managed to attract attention and seduce.
It also managed to evolve: rustic in the countryside, it became elegant in the city with the Parisian version, utilitarian with the van, sporty with the Sinpar 4x4, trendy with the Plein Air...
It was even found as a daredevil on the Paris-Dakar tracks.

  • Richly illustrated, this book is dedicated to the famous Renault 4 L, produced in more than 8 million units between 1961 and 1992.
  • Retraces in detail the history and evolution of the Renault 4 L.
  • This volume of the collection "La voiture de mon père" is not only a source of in-depth information for the owner, but also a concise guide to originality.
  • The technology, variants, modifications and special versions are described in detail.
  • Also deals with manufacturing abroad.
  • Contains more than 200 period photos, often unpublished.

Information

Author:Dominique Pascal, Marie-Claire Lauvray
Details:120 pages, 21.5 x 24 cm / 8.5 x 9 in, hardback
Illustrations:200 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:ETAI (F, 2017)
Series:De mon père
ISBN:9791028301873
La Renault 4 L de mon père

La Renault 4 L de mon père

Language: French

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Les années 4L - La folle histoire d'un modèle mythique

Even today, the Renault 4L remains one of the most popular cars ever, more than 50 years after its launch in the 1960s. With its urban design and great comfort, it enjoyed great success with consumers, rising to the rank of second best-selling French car, with some 8 million units sold in 30 years of production.

Still alive in the hearts of vintage and retro enthusiasts, the 4L is enjoying a second youth. A privileged and diligent witness to the history of this timeless car, L'Auto-Journal has gathered in this extremely comprehensive work numerous documents and tasty authentic anecdotes.
R3, R4L, La Parisienne, R4 Export, 4 TL, TL Savane, 4 GTL, all the legendary models that have made the history and legend of the 4L are brought together for the greatest pleasure of lovers of this extraordinary automobile.

Information

Author:L'Auto Journal
Details:136 pages, 28.5 x 22 cm / 11.2 x 8.7 in, hardback
Illustrations:numerous b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Editions Solar (F, 2016)
ISBN:9782263148132
Les années 4L - La folle histoire d'un modèle mythique

Les années 4L - La folle histoire d'un modèle mythique

Language: French

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Renault 4 (Schrader Typen Chronik)

The book by Andreas Gaubatz and Jan Erharditsch about the legendary R4 from Renault is a monument to this incredibly popular French small car. Simple and reliable, suitable for everything and not too good for anything, the Renault became a symbol of the French way of life "savoir-vivre".

Pages of the book Renault 4 (1)

During its 31-year production period, the R4 was sold over eight million times. Even today, this small car from France is still extremely popular with collectors and classic car enthusiasts.

Pages of the book Renault 4 (2)

Information

Author:Andreas Gaubatz
Details:96 pages, 22 x 24 cm / 8.7 x 9 in, hardback
Illustrations:33 b&w and 109 colour photos
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2014)
Series:Schrader Typen Chronik
ISBN:9783613036857

Renault R4 - Alle Modelle von 1961 bis 1992 (Autos, die noch Typen waren)

The "jeans on wheels" were built for 33 years, mobilized millions at a reasonable cost and have been much more than just the practical little four-door car with the revolutionary tailgate for decades: anyone who drives an R4 shows that they don't need horsepower and ostentation. That was true for an enormous number of people: 8 135 424 R4s were built. It is still the best-selling car from France.

For the German book series "Autos, die noch Typen waren", Renault expert and R4 expert Heribert Hofner invites you on a journey through time that is as entertaining and amusing as it is informative. Automotive history is always a piece of contemporary history, and so you will not only get to know all the variants of the small space miracle from France. You will also find out what made the R4 a global car with cult status.

Illustrated with many contemporary pictures as well as a whole series of previously unseen photos from private photo albums, the book presents the many faces of the former million-seller, which is slowly becoming a sought-after rarity and still has a loyal following almost 55 years after its launch.
A wonderful homage to a special piece of automotive history.

Information

Author:Heribert Hofner
Details:128 pages, 27.5 x 21.5 x 1.7 cm / 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.67 in, hardback
Illustrations:200 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2013)
Series:Autos, die noch Typen waren
ISBN:9783868526035
Renault R4 - Alle Modelle von 1961 bis 1992 (Autos, die noch Typen waren)

Renault R4 - Alle Modelle von 1961 bis 1992

Language: German

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The TMB Bookshop presents not only general books on Renault . Click here to discover all books on Renault (including technical books like workshop manuals, restauration manuals, driver's handbooks, parts catalogues, etc.).


Last update: 2024-12-27