Renault 4 Sinpar Plein Air 1968-1970 Renault 4 Sinpar Plein Air Terre de Hommes Cars Canadian Registry Conclusion
Sinpar Plein Air Manufacturer: Sinpar Model Years: 1968-1970 Class: Beach Car Type: Open / 0-door Layout: Front Wheel Drive Engine: 845cc Inline 4 cyl. Trans: 4-speed Manual Wheelbase: 96.4 in. Length: 144.4in. Width: 58.5 in. Weight: 1301 lbs. Plein Air Specifications: In 1956, Renault President Pierre Dreyfus, ordered a series of studies for what would be the replacement of the Renault 4CV. His objective was to put an end to the Citroën 2CV persistent incursion into the French small car market. So, Renault ended up developing their new vehicle based on many of the same principles that had made the 2CV a success, while at the same time attempting to make it even more practical and reliable than the competition’s model. The common characteristics between the new Renaults and the Citroën 2CV were numerous: front wheel drive, longitudinal engine, bodywork resting on a frame, four wheel independent suspension, efficient drum brakes, fixed windows on the rear doors, hammock-type seats, etc. The primary difference between the original 4CV and 2CV buyers were the Renault 4CV owners were primarily city people, while the Citroën 2CV appealed more to those who lived in the French countryside. Renault’s management wanted to maintain its urban customers while converting as many Citroën owners into Renault buyers as they could. Renault launched the Renault 3 and the Renault 4 simultaneously in July 1961. Not willing to be outdone by their rival, that same year Citroën introduced a new car, also based on the 2CV. The Ami 6 or Citroën 3CV. Compared to the 2CV and even the Ami 6,Renaults newcomers had: more generous displacements (the Renault 3 was a 3CV like the Ami 6; the Renault 4 was a 4CV and the Renault 4L, was a 5cv. Though the base Renault 3 and the middle of the road, Renault 4 enjoyed only relative success. Compared to the new more powerful version Citroën 2CV and the Ami 6 they struggled to find significant market share. The Renault 3 was withdrawn from the market in August 1962 and the Renault 4 was dropped in September 1965. Ultimately they were disliked by potential buyers, because they were ultimately just underpowered or stripped down versions of the Renault 4L.. Renault President, Pierre Dreyfus 2cv 6 and the Renault 4 L Renault 4
Various Versions of Renault 4 Renault production total. 8,135,424 Known Sinpar serial nos. 133 - 563 Chassis no. R1123 Renault version number. 240 (North America) Date of first registration s. 1968 - 1972 Country of first registration. Canada Color. White 322 Sinpar Plein Air On the other hand, Success was there from the very start with the Renault 4L, the L which stood for luxury, so much so that this car was quickly nicknamed the Quatrelle. The presence of exterior chrome and half-open quarter windows delighted potential buyers. Also introduced in October 1961, the Renault 4 truckette was equipped with a flat floor, a single rear door and as well as an additional opening located above the door making it much easier to load and unload. Along with its additional displacement it was the beginning of the end for the Citroën’s 2CV truckette as a commercial vehicle. The Renault 4L was the best-selling cars in France from 1962 to 1965. While in 1966, it was briefly replaced by the Citroën Ami 6, mainly due to the addition of a station wagon version introduced that year combined with the original sedan. However it was not a position they could maintain, as the Renault 4 was back on top in 1967 and 1968. Renault 4/ Sinpar Tags The Original Renault 4 Range Renault 4 / Plein Air Documentation:
Sinpar Plein Air Sinpar 1968 Unveilings: March of 1968 — The Renault 4 Sinpar 4x4 Torpedo. was first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show May of 1968 — The Plein Air was officially introduced to the motoring press on the fifteenth but was first seen five days earlier at Reserve Africaine in Thoiry, France. October of 1968 — Sinpar’s four-door convertible prototype was first seen at the 1968 Salon de Paris Outside Château de Thoiry Sinpar was originally a French automobile manufactured from 1907 until 1914. The name Sinpar was meant to suggest that the car was ‘without equal’ or ‘sans pareil’ in French. While the company had seemed to have disappeared following the outbreak of the First World War, but more than three decades later Léon Demeester, who had established the business back in 1907, resurrected it in Colombes near Paris. Sinpar began engaging in winch manufacturing and heavy-duty transmission sub-assemblies for four- and six- wheel drive trucks. These specialist items were provided to a range of industrial companies in France until 1975 when heavy equipment manufacturer, Saviem took over the company's activities. In the autumn of 1962 Sinpar launched an all-terrain light vehicle based on the Renault 4L. Initial sales were not substantial, but in 1964 when the French Army requested them to develop a new jeep -like vehicle. This new vehicle was a door-less and roof-less version of the Renault 4F called the Sinpar 4x4 Torpedo. It was first shown in March of 1968 as a prototype at the Geneva Motor Show, equipped with Sinpar's four-wheel-drive system. While the French Military ultimately chose another design by rival Citroen, Sinpar was quickly given a contract to build a front-wheel-drive version for Renault. However, a limited number of the Plein Airs were also converted to four-wheel drive before leaving the facility. Besides on their home soil, Plein Airs were also sold and delivered into Canada, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands and The UK. Sinpar’s revised front wheel drive version first appeared on May 10, 1968 at the Château de Thoiry in connection with the opening of their African Safari Park, called Reserve Africaine in Thoiry, France where they were to be used them to transport guests. Though it was officially introduced the motoring press five days later. Called the Renault 4 Sinpar Torpedo Plein Air, the term ‘plein air’ translates to ‘open air’, as its name suggests, while the front of the vehicle remains identical to the 4L, they then lowered the Sinpar Original Publicity photo
Léon Demeester first started Sinpar in 1907. Sinpar was sold to Saviem, the heavy truck division of Renault in 1975. The 4door Plein Air was first introduced at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, the picture below shows the same car 45 years later after a full restoration. This car is still owned by the Demeester family, who kept it after it Parisian unveiling. Sinpar Plein Air windshield, cutting off the roof, removed the hatchback and the door openings were profoundly modifying the overall appearance of the car. Renault and Sinpar were attempting to ride the buggy craze of the era by marketing it as a fun, beach car. If there was a significant complaint about the Plein Air, it was the ease of access for rear passengers, so in the fall of 1968 they attempted a possible fix to this issue. Introducing the Sinpar fourdoor convertible prototype at the 1968 Salon de Paris. While it definitely was easier to enter and egress, the motoring public preferred the panoramic views of the original Torpedo so no further four-doors were constructed. However, the original car is still owned by the Demeester family, who originally founded Sinpar, and brought it back after World War II. In 2003 the family had a complete restoration done, and the one off, four-door Sinpar Renault 4 is by far the rarest example from the series. During the later 1960s and early 1970s, Sinpar’s business increasingly focused on four-wheel drive conversions for various Renault models, notably the Renault Goélette, a van primarily used by the French army, along with the Renault 4L, and the Renault 12. The 4 –door Plein air on the Sinpar Stand in Paris Plein Air 4-door and the Demeesters
Sinpar Plein Air Additional Specifications: Although most of the cars produced by Sinpar were sold in France, a fair amount were sold in the more mountainous regions of the nearby Alps and Pyrenees. Prior to the arrival of Japanese makers of all-wheel drives, there was a demand for reasonably priced vehicles capable of traversing all terrains, however the larger European automakers had made little effort to fill this niche. After Sinpar itself ceased its activities in 1975, Renault created a subsidiary of its own, based in Chassieu, France, this facility produced the modified all-terrain Renault 4 based vehicles, and other Renault models would soon follow, most notably the R18 4x4. The new business was still called Sinpar, but now SINPAR was an acronym which stood for "Société Industrielle de Production et d'Adaptations Rhodanienne". Approximately 500 Plein Airs were produced by Sinpar until it was withdrawn from the market in March of 1970. The lowest Sinpar production number known today and registered in the Plein Air Registry is 133, while the highest is 563. Each Sinpar Plein Air was given a unique Sinpar production number, put on a round Sinpar identification plate as well as the Renault oval R1123 plate and next to the diamond VIN number plate under the hood. Only factory original Sinpar Plein Air are fitted with the round Sinpar plate. Unfortunately, the Plein Air records of Sinpar, have become lost over time which makes verification of information and production totals by no means a certainty. Starting in 1971, Sinpar began to offer Plein Air conversion kits for homebuilt Plein Airs, but it is not known the total number of kits sold either. Original R4 Sinpar Documentation Suspension: Four-wheel ind. Steering: Rack & Pinion Brakes: Four-wheel drum MPG: 35 city 42 Hwy Top speed: 62 mph Tires: 135 R 13 Electrical: 12 volt Body: Steel Safety: Euro/U.S. Spec One of Military Versions made Outside Sinpar Factory
The Plein Air had a relatively small engine. An 845 cc naturally aspirated 4-cylinder developing 30 horsepower and 43 ft-lb of torque. Fortunately, the vehicle weighted only just over 1300 pounds. The manual four-speed gearbox, takes a bit to get used to. The shifter is, located in the dash to the right of the steering wheel, to engage the transmission into first gear, you have to pull away from the dashboard, then push towards the dash and slightly over to the right for second gear, pull away for third, and toward and slightly over to the right until reaching fourth. The steering wheel, has a relatively large circumference but is fairly thin in diameter. Facing the driver, is a large beige plastic dashboard with only a speedometer, a fuel gauge and four indicator lights so it is quite Spartan. The only other integrated component of dash is the ashtray. For some reason they did choose to include a heater, as well as a defrosting system which consists of two plastic rectangular tubes to be rotated manually in the direction of the windshield. After pulling the choke, the engine starts with relative ease and quickly stabilizes to its set idle speed. The exhaust pipe is plumed to the left side of the vehicle, but it does seem to prevent all occupants from breathing in noxious fumes. As no forms of pollution controls had been developed yet. Sinpar Plein Air Original Publicity photo Plein Air Engine Compartment
Sinpar Plein Air Plein Air Speed Estimates: The Plein Air takes off quite smoothly, working the clutch and accelerator pedals in tandem the gears shift easily while the speed climbs slowly. With two passengers on board, the Plein Air can quickly reach a steady cruising speed of about 30 mph, but it is not likely that you would want to attain its maximum speed of around 60 mph due to a significant amount of drag caused from most of the body being removed. Even though it only has a manual rack and pinion steering, the steering is relatively light due to its light weight and its small tires 135 R 13 tires. But the flip side of that coin is that its overall turning radius is surprisingly large for a vehicle of its size. The same cannot be said for the brakes, while they are only four drum system they are more than sufficient. However of note, be careful not to catch the accelerator pedal when braking, the two are fairly close to one another. A good description of the overall driving experience would be not powerful, but a lot fun For rainy days, a folding soft top and a side canvas with clear plastic initially allowed a significant amount of water to enter the cabin, but the side curtains were improved giving some protection from the weather. However, once the roof is fairly easily folded away, you quickly determine that safety was not given much thought when the Plein Air was being developed and in production. The car has no roll bar, no seatbelts and only a small metal chain as a means to attempt to keep occupants inside the vehicle. Original R4 Sinpar Documentation Estimated Renault acceleration times: 0-60 mph in 30.6 sec, 0-100 km/h in 35.4 sec quarter mile time is 23.3 sec. The Miniscule 135 R 13 Tires Convertible top with roll up side curtains
Sinpar Plein Air View of the site from above. Following the incredible success of Expo 67, The City of Montreal decided to set up at the time what would be billed as a permanent summer exhibit which would continue to attract visitors to the islands of Notre-Dame and Sainte-Hélène. The new exhibit was called Terre des Hommes which translated means Man and his World, and it was inaugurated by Jean Drapeau on May 17, 1968. While only two days prior, Renault had had its official Launch of this unusual little beach car, whose history would soon become entwined with that of Terre des Hommes Exhibition. Although the Plein Air was never officially sold in Canada, it was there, working to support the efforts of the Exhibition as well as transporting employees and VIPs around the park. While on the other side of the world, it seems to have had a similar life as primarily a work vehicle and not a pleasure craft as Renault had initially marketed it. Whether it be for the post office, the police or even the fire department, a large number of French municipalities had used these, utility vehicles over the years. Much like its donor, the 4L, was best known for its practicality and versatility, so was the Plein Air. Some point after the Plein Air was first introduced, examples began finding their way to Montreal. Approximately twenty Plein Airs were exported into Canada over the next year or so to be used on the site of the Terre des Hommes World Exhibition in Montreal. Terre des Hommes Cars Geodesic Dome at the Terre des Hommes Exposition
Parade celebrating Canadiens 1971 NHL Title Some point after the Plein Air was first introduced, examples began finding their way to Montreal. Approximately twenty Plein Airs were exported into Canada over the next year or so to be used on the site of the Terre des Hommes World Exhibition in Montreal. However at the end of 1970, when the not so permanent exhibit, was ended, it appears that all but possibly six of the Plein Airs were returned to Renault of Canada. While these unusual looking vehicles must have caught the eye of many a spectator who visited, only a single photo has be discovered of one of the vehicles in service on site. So it did not appear that the Plein Air had left much of an impression on either the attendees of Terre des Hommes, or the residence of Montreal for that matter. That is until the day after the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, on May 19th 1971, it appears that at least, six Plein Airs were photographed in a parade in Montreal helping to celebrate the team’s championship victory. Once these final remaining vehicles were returned to Renault Canada and then distributed throughout the sales network of Renault dealers, most of these vehicles stayed in the Province of Quebec, but at least one made it as far west as Victoria, British Columbia. While another remained on the islands of Notre-Dame and Sainte-Hélène in Montreal. Eventually renamed Parc Jean Drapeau, it was used around the site until it fell into a state of disrepair, and then remained there untouched for decades. It appears that most of the Canadian Plein Airs were not only used but often abused by their new owners , Sinpar Plein Air
Sinpar Plein Air Known Canadian Plein Airs: primarily as utility vehicles. By the turn of the new millennium, it had been years if not decades since one had last been sighted on Eastern Canadian roads. Car #434 owned by Tim Koster While this might have be the end of the Canadian Plein Air story. It’s not that there were not plenty of resources to repair and rebuild these cars, as tens if not hundreds of thousands of the durable and reliable Renault 4L were still on the road in other parts of the world, as well as numerous part suppliers offering nearly every major components. At that time, the chief concerns for Canadian Plein Air owners; were that nearly all of the remaining Canadian cars were in either poor to very bad condition, and Renault had left the Canadian market in the 1980s leaving little to no resources locally. But as the internet began to make the world a smaller place, these once forgotten cars started to resurface. In 2010, Tim Koster, of The Netherlands, started an online registry attempting to find as many of the remaining Plein Airs as he could. Little did Tim know at the time, as he was discovering these lost relics, he was also building a community. It was not long before the motoring press started to write about them. As this news began to spread, more and more cars began to turn up, particularly in Canada. Tim’s registry is now up over sixty cars, of which ten of these are original Canadian models. It is relatively easy to identify a Canadian model from a French spec car. The Terre des Hommes examples had sealed beam headlights, solid red tail lights and 1968 Dodge Charger / Plymouth Satellite side marker lights, as well as standard R4 front and rear bumpers. With Sinpar Serial Numbers: #426 #434 #435 #442 #467 #490 #491 #495 #509 #524 Canadian Registry Car #509 owned by Renault Classic, the heritage department of Renault SA
Possibly the first Canadian Plein Air to undergo a major restoration was found near Estrie, Quebec. As it turns out this example is also the earliest known Canadian example with Sinpar serial #426. It was brought back to life thanks to Mario Brisebois, a travel agent from Cowansville, Quebec. The vehicle was purchased in 2002, then refurbished in 2003. Given the terrible overall condition of the original body, the reassembly and finishing work was quite impressive. Mario first searched for used replacement parts available in Canada, however a significant number of new pieces also had to be directly imported from France. After enjoying the car for a while, it was eventually sold to a private collection in the Netherlands, who then sold it to a collector in France. Not certain if it is still with the French owner or if has changed hand again. Sinpar Plein Air SERIAL NUMBER: 426 PRODUCTION #: 690035 CHASSIS #: R1123 4489519 COLOR: Red LOCATION: Netherlands CONDITION: Repainted but remains N.A. Spec. Owners Name: Anonymous Last Known Owner: Mario Brisebois Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Another survivor formerly in Quebec SERIAL NUMBER: 434 PRODUCTION #: 690863 CHASSIS #: R1123 4489518 COLOR: White LOCATION: Netherlands CONDITION: Original, new paint, new top Owners Name: Tim Koster Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners One of the reasons why Tim Koster, of The Netherlands, had started the online registry http://www.renault4pleinair.com/, was because he had acquired and exported Sinpar #434 back across the Atlantic Ocean. Along with sister car #435 and #509 they are the only other Canadian car that had been discovered in overall good condition. After receiving the car, all Tim had to do was some welding repairs to the structure of the car, it had already been repainted and the top replaced. He has owned the car for more than a decade now and participates in Renault 4 gatherings in the Netherlands and France regularly.
As it turns out there is one example of the Canadian Plein Air that has had the same owner since it was returned to Renault of Canada and sold by the local Renault Dealer in Duncan, British Columbia. Owned by Martin Hergt of Victoria since 1971, but being 2500 miles from Montreal, no one outside the local British Columbia Renault community was even aware of it prior to the registry. Having Sinpar #435 tag, this car is still in original North American Spec known as Renault Version 240 in their vernacular. With the exception of a roll cage added for safety, and a respray and new upholstery at some point. It is possibly the most original example of the Terre des Hommes type Plein Air. Sinpar Plein Air SERIAL NUMBER: 435 PRODUCTION #: 693501 CHASSIS #: R1123 4499331 COLOR: White LOCATION: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. Owners Name: Martin Hergt Identification: Registry of Cars and Owners
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Sinpar #442 is a survivor, this car was originally listed for sale in 2010 as Tim Koster was first setting up www.renault4pleinair.com/, and it was still for sale as of 2017 when Nicolas Reichenbach looked at it before buying his current Plein Air. At the time Nicolas inspected it, he was told the car’s owner was in very poor health, so not certain if it found a new home or not or even if it still exists today. It was in very poor overall condition and missing a number of its original Plein Air components. SERIAL NUMBER: 442 PRODUCTION #: 684553 CHASSIS #: R1123 4487917 COLOR: White LOCATION: Quebec, Canada CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. in need of complete restoration Owners Name: Anonymous
Car #490 from the Plein Air registry is another Canadian Sinpar model that has made its way back to Europe. It was imported at the same time Tim Koster imported his car. From the photograph the car looks to be in above average condition. It is currently owned by Remko Kort of the Netherland and his intention is to restore it, but not back to original, but rather original French Specifications, and not Canadian. Mr. Kort has now owned the car for many years but its not certain what the current status is on the restoration. Sinpar Plein Air O SERIAL NUMBER: 490 PRODUCTION #: 735488 CHASSIS #: R1123 4531061 COLOR: White LOCATION: Netherlands CONDITION: Original, Plans to be restored to French Spec. Owners Name: Remko Kort Identification: Registry of Cars and Owners
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Another survivor still residing in Quebec SERIAL NUMBER: 491 PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 4557937 COLOR: White LOCATION: Montreal, Quebec, Canada CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. Restored Owners Name: N. Reichenbach Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Sinpar serial #491, like many of the other Canadian cars was in very poor condition and painted a horrible hue of pink when Nicolas Reichenbach discovered it. After numerous years of searching, he was finally able to buy one of these northernmost surviving Plein Airs, and with the help of good friend and mechanic, Stephane Larivee completed an amateur restoration during the Covid lockdown. Even including the Terre des Hommes original color scheme and logos. While the car is by no means restored to its original level, mechanically it is as good, or better, than original, and is still as much fun to drive as it was when it was new.
Sinpar Plein Air Terre des Hommes trim with Expo 67 Tag Stephane Larivee and his son Guillaume
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Another survivor still residing in Quebec Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Sinpar tag #495 is yet another Canadian Plein Air that has returned to Europe. After serving at Terre des Hommes it found ownership in Canada, before eventually heading south of the border to a new owner in the state of New York, before moving on to Jonathan Burnette, a well-known Renault collector in Austin, Texas. Jonathan planned to fully restore the car, but was unable to find the parts so far from both Canada and France. Ultimately selling it in 2011, to private collector with assistance from Tim Koster. Jonathan then had the car shipped to Antwerp, Belgium, and has not heard anything more about the car since the sale. SERIAL NUMBER: 495 PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 4541948 COLOR: White LOCATION: Netherlands CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. in need of complete restoration Owners Name: Anonymous Last Known Owner: Jonathan Burnette
Car #509 is a Canadian Plein Air that has made its way home to France. It was returned by Tim Koster in his second shipment from Canada. In this case literally home to it manufacturer, Renault SA. They had forgotten to keep one for themselves when they were made by Sinpar and wanted it for their collection for Renault 4’s 50th anniversary in 2011. Tim made the adaptations to French specs before it was acquired by Renault. This car was in excellent original condition, the best unrestored Plein Air, Tim had come across. Renault Classis, the historic division of the large French manufacturer, maintains the car along with more than 500 other Renaults at their facility in Flins, France. The car is regularly displayed and driven by members of the Renault Classic team. Sinpar Plein Air SERIAL NUMBER: 509 PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 4541934 COLOR: White LOCATION: France CONDITION: Has been converted to French Spec. Owners Name: Renault Classic Identification: Registry of Cars and Owners
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Back in 1996 and Today SERIAL NUMBER: 524 PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 4541936 COLOR: White LOCATION: Montreal, Quebec, Canada CONDITION: Part N.A. Spec./ Part French Spec. Restored Owners Name: City of Montreal Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Preciously kept in a warehouse, the car purchased by the Société du parc Jean Drapeau and owned by the city of Montreal bears the Sinpar #524 tag. With just over 15,000 km on the odometer, it was used to transport people and equipment when Terre des Hommes was still in operation. Restored in 2017, for the 50th anniversary of Expo 67. Gilles Lafond, owner of the East End workshop, was entrusted with the restoration. It took Gilles and his team countless hours of research to unearth as many original parts as they could find, but they could not find an original grille or headlights so replacements had to be imported from Europe. Since its major reconstruction and the Anniversary celebration, it has hardly been used. This is the last known Canadian car built and one of the last overall Plein Airs produced that are known to exist today. According to its Quebec registration certificate, the Terre des Hommes car is a 1970 model, which makes sense since Renault ceased production of them in March of that same year.
Sinpar Plein Air For some unknown reason the car has a motorcycle tag Lafond and Christian Dubois, with the finished product Gilles Lafond before restoration
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Another survivor brought back to life SERIAL NUMBER: ??? PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 ? COLOR: White LOCATION: Drummondville CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. Restored Owners Name: Stephane Girouard Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Besides the cars identified by their Sinpar Serial numbers, there are a few others that their tag numbers have yet to be verified. The first of which was in very poor condition when found but its current owner, Stephane Girouard, went to great lengths to bring it back to like new condition. This car resides in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. Hopefully at some point it can be added to the registry. This restoration would not have been possible if not for the fact that Stephane also owns a second Canadian Plein Air. Of which numerous parts were used not only in the restoration of this car but also in the resurrection of car #491.
Another recent discovery was found in a storage locker far away from the Expo site where it originally served, in the Province of New Brunswick. It appears to be in overall better condition than some of the earlier finds, but there are signs of significant corrosion issues. It is currently for sale, but the current owner did not receive any documentation with the car, so to date he has struggled to find a new owner as there is no easy way to export it, and no Canadians thus far have been willing to meet his asking price. At this point, Tim Koster, has not yet been added to the registry. Sinpar Plein Air Car is still in New Brunswick SERIAL NUMBER: ??? PRODUCTION #: 467 CHASSIS #: R1123 ? COLOR: White LOCATION: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada CONDITION: Older restoration Owners Name: Anonymous Identification: Registry of Cars and Owners
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Manic Identification: Registry of Canadian Cars and Owners Along with two other cars restored by the Drumondville donor car used in the restoration of Stephane Girouard car and car #491. there is a second donor car. It is believed that this car still exists but has not be confirmed. At this point, very few of the original Sinpar parts are still with this car, and along with just using original Plein Air components, in the case of the City of Montreal's car, it also received the engine and transmission from this donor car. Below is the most recent Canadian Plein Air discovery. This was found in Bing image search and it appears to be a somewhat recent image, but not certain if this car still exists. It is definitely a Canadian Spec Plein Air due to the tail lights and Side markers. SERIAL NUMBER: ??? PRODUCTION #: ? CHASSIS #: R1123 ? COLOR: White LOCATION: New Brunswick, Canada CONDITION: Original N.A. Spec. unrestored
While it is possible that there are one or two more Canadian Plein Airs still to be discovered, but it is not likely they will be back on the road without significant restoration. The fact that no less than thirteen or possibly fourteen cars have been identified, out of what seems to nearly be a consensus, that somewhere around twenty units were used for the Exposition. Speaking with someone who had ties to Renault of Canada, they believed that the cars had been leased to the City of Montreal for a two year period. Being that the known Plein Air serial numbers range from the 100s to the 500s and all of the identified Canadian examples are in the 400s to 500s it is most likely initial deliveries began in 1969 and could have possibly carried into early 1970. The appearance of only six or possibly seven Plein Airs, in the May 19, 1971, Championship Parade, supports the notion of a two year lease period, where the cars that had been delivered prior to May of 1969 had already been returned to Renault of Canada. Though all of this is strictly speculation, as no documentation has been found that confirms it. With a production of most likely not more than 500 cars, the Plein Air is generally not considered to be a commercial success. While, the now famous publicity photo of a Plein-Air on the beach, with an attractive young lady in it, speaks volumes to its intended audience. So, in 1968 the Plein Air was offered for sale as a beach or resort car, or a toy for the rich, rather than an everyday multi-purpose vehicle like some of its much more successful, direct competitors. Sinpar Plein Air One of the Plein Airs on Parade Conclusion Final remaining Terre des Hommes car
Sinpar Plein Air Plein Air as intended In particular, the Citroën Méhari, which was launched the next day, on May 16th of 1968. Citroën had brought to market a commercial version of their military vehicle, based on the 2CV, the Citroën Méhari, equipped with a body in ABS plastic that was color blended directly into the material. However the competition was just not limited to fellow French constructor Citroën. Also battling for market share were: the British Mini Moke, as well as the German VW Thing and the Italian Fiat 600 Jolly. Possibly even more of a factor, price wise compared to the Méhari, and other competitors, the Plein Air was on the far end of the scale. This probably explains Renault's decision to discontinue production in March of 1970, and replace the Plein Air with the new cheaper fiberglass bodied Rodeo. Whether the Plein Air, was just a second attempt at the beach car movement, which Renault had taken an initial bite of in 1961 when they produced a modest run of fifty Renault 4cv Jollys, or if they had just taken advantage of Sinpar’s failed bid for a new lightweight French military vehicle, by having them create a commercial version, in very short order, with little to no development costs. With more than eight million examples made, the Renault 4L had proven itself one of the most practical vehicles ever built. While the Plein Air had quickly proven not to be commercially viable like it’s fully dressed older brother, as a stripped-down beach cruiser of sorts with no doors and no roof. That did not detract from the fun that the lucky few owners of these unique vehicles have had for more than a half century. Manic PA-II racer 4cv Jolly Beach Car
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Early Publicity photo of the Méhari The Mini Moke Fiat Jolly 600
Sinpar Plein Air Image of a VW Thing The Renault 4 Rodeo, the Plein Air’s replacement
Sinpar Plein Air One of the pre-production cars Renault 4 Sinpar Torpedo Military Commercial version of the Torpedo Renault 4 Sinpar 4x4
Sinpar Plein Air Original Publicity Photo Plein Air driving by a group of French businessmen One of the earliest images
Plein Air 1968-1970 In 1964, the French Army requested a new jeep-like vehicle. This new vehicle was a door-less and roofless version of the Renault 4F called the Sinpar 4x4 Torpedo. While the French Military ultimately chose another design by rival Citroen, Sinpar was quickly given a contract to build a front-wheel-drive version for Renault. Besides on their home soil, Plein Airs were also sold and delivered into Canada, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands and The UK. Sinpar’s revised front wheel drive version first appeared on May 15, 1968 and called the Renault 4 Sinpar Torpedo Plein Air, the term ‘plein air’ translates to “open air” as its name suggests, while the front of the vehicle remains identical to the 4L, they lowered the windshield, cutting off the roof, removed the hatchback and the door openings were profoundly modifying the overall appearance of the car. Renault and Sinpar were attempting to ride the buggy craze of the era by marketing their new creation as a fun, beach car.
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