Renault 4cv Based Specials 1948-1971

Renault 4cv Based Specials 1948-1971 By Marvin McFalls Idea Development Unveiling Production Unique Construction The Race Begins Variations Index

Renault 4cv Based Specials Specifications: During the summer of 1940, the Germans had successfully invaded France and quickly gained controlled of the entire country including its industrial complex. Louis Renault had been arrested by the Germans and had the option of either going to prison or putting the Renault Company at the service of the German war machine. Renault chose to work with the Germans along with around 40,000 employees from his company. While the majority of the workforce were sent to Germany, a small group remained at the Renault factory just outside of Paris. At the start of the occupation, Renault was only producing commercial and military vehicles at the behest of the German occupational forces. However, Fernand Picard, the Chief Developer of Renault, in his spare time came up with sketches that would eventually become the first rear-mounted engine production French car. So, starting in 1941, in hoping to have an edge on Renault's competitors once the war was over, Picard began to develop plans for two new models. One model was a smaller family car that looked similar to the car of Volkswagenwerk GmbH built by the Germans, while the other was the size of the extremely popular French, Pre-war Citroën Traction Avant. Fernand Picard envisioned a small, economical car suitable for the postwar period. He enlisted the help of fellow Renault employees, CharlesEdmond Serre and Jean-Auguste Riolfo to create a small, economical car, similar to the German People’s Car suitable for the economically difficult years which would inevitably follow the fighting. After the fighting ceased, Louis Renault hoped, that Renault would be able to focus on a new mid-range line of cars, and therefore he was much more excited about the bigger car project. In May of 1941, Louis Renault met with Serre and Picard to see a mock-up of the new small car's engine. Renault then approved the project, and it was then given the code '106E' following the meeting. Since the Germans would not allow work on any new passenger car project, the would-be 4cv development was officially a project to develop a new engine for the Juvaquatre, Renault’s smallest pre-war model. Fernand Picard and his creation Birth of an Idea Manufacturer: Renault Model Years: 1947-1961 Class: Economy Type: Sedan Layout: Rear-engine Engine: 747cc Inline 4 cyl. Trans: 3-speed Manual Power: 21.3 HP @ 4100 RPM Top Speed: 59 mph Wheelbase: 82.5 in. Length: 144.2 in. Width: 56.3 in. Height: 57.9 in. Weight: 1235 lbs.

Timeline: In the midst of the Second World War, Renault was secretly working on the development of a small car. The term 4cv, refers to the cars official rating of only four taxable horsepower. Renault's designers laid the foundations for the Renault 4cv which was officially launched in October 1946 in Paris. 4 doors, 4 seats, 4 CV, 440,000 francs! With this memorable slogan, Renault affirmed its ambitions to make the 4cv compact, comfortable and economical. Renault 4cv was able to carry four people comfortably, its flat floor was kept clear by the rear positioning of the engine. Not only used daily by the motoring public, the 4cv would enjoy many years of competitive racing, from numerous class wins in the Monte Carlo Rally, Mille Miglia, Tour De France, and even at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The name 4cv refers to the French words cheval-vapeur, which translate to 'horse-power' as a unit of power. The 4cv was rated four taxable horsepower at the time when a vehicle's horsepower was used as its tax classification. Jean-August Riolfo, was the head of the test department, so he placed the 4cv's engine on the test bench starting in February 1942 and it proved to be as strong and sturdy as they had hoped. By April of 1942, Renault’s skeleton crew as well as the German overseers caught their first glimpse of the little car, however reviews were mixed of the two-door all-aluminum bodied prototype. Critics claimed the 4cv was too high at the front and the rear was unattractive. Picard went back to the design table and began to work at improving the appearance of the vehicle. Though the plant was bombed on a number of occasions the new car survived and was driven daily around the Renault industrial complex Renault 4cv Based Specials Development Begins The development team continued to work on both the 4cv and a larger 11cv projects, but from this point on it was done in secret. Louis Renault had his team focus primarily on the larger sedan. Though Fernand Picard was not discouraged, as they built a second 4CV prototype. This second car was a little more refined than the original but it still had two doors and was quite similar in size, though the sloped-nosed styling of the German KdF-Wagen was much less prominent. Louis Renault was arrested outside Paris on September 22, 1944 and brought to the Fresnes prison to stand trial for treason, but he died mysteriously on October 24, 1944, before he could be tried. By the time, Pierre Lefaucheux, was appointed as caretaker general, of the Billancourt factories they were nearly destroyed, along with the second prototype it appears, but nearly 13,000 workers assisted in cleaning up the rubble, and the rebuilding. Picard continued on with the development of the 4cv and created a third prototype, this one with four-doors. Lefaucheux then replaced Louis Renault as the CEO of the reorganized state-owned entity. 2nd Prototype First variant from rear

Renault 4cv Based Specials Timeline Continued: The Germans signed their document of capitulation on May 7, 1945 and General De Gaulle officially had the Renault works nationalized. Following France's liberation, the two secret projects rapidly picked up steam. Pierre Lefaucheux decided it was time for the production of a new car, but which one? Following a drive of the third 4cv prototype, the decision was made. Compared to the larger 11cv the small car could be produced with much fewer materials have better mileage and cost less to maintain. Pierre Lefaucheux was very excited about the affordable compact car and made every effort to launch the model onto the market as soon as possible. A total of three prototypes were built for initial development, which were then followed by forty pre-production examples which were produced by Picard and his team for rigorous testing in North Africa. The first Renault 4cvs were nicknamed “pat of butter” due to their shape and yellow color. This color choice is said to come from paint stocks recovered from the Germany army Afrika Corp. Renault 4 CV’s style changed over time, the original six-slat front “moustache” was later replaced by a three-slat style. The 5-year development process led to 14 years of successful Renault 4CV production, a total of 1.1 million cars being built from 1947 to 1961. Production Begins Renault affirmed its ambitions to make the Renault 4cv a compact, comfortable and economical car. Renault 4cv was able to carry four people comfortably, its flat floor was kept clear by the rear positioning of the engine. On the 4cv's launch, it was nicknamed La motte de beurre or the pat of butter, due to the combination of its shape and the fact that early models were painted with sand yellow-colored surplus paint that was believed to be intended for the German Afrika Korps vehicles. On August 12, 1947, the first R1060 4cvs left the newly rebuilt Billancourt factory assembly line with a target of 300 cars per day. More than 50,000 units had been produced by March 1949, with 37.000 sold by June of that year, making it the most popular car in France, and eclipsing the 100,000 cars produced mark by January 1950. It would continue to be produced until July 1961. when the last of 1,105,497 cars came off the Île Seguin assembly line. Additional 4CVs were assembled in England, Spain, Australia, and by Hino in Japan. Public Unveiling Public Unveiling First developed by being classified as a new engine for a pre-war model, eventually turning into a clandestine undercover operation, the Renault 4cv was officially debuted at the 33rd Paris Motor Show on October 3, 1946. This was the first Auto Salon held, after the fighting had ceased. It almost immediately became a symbol of France's rebirth and new-found liberty after the war. Third 4cv Prototype One of three original 4cvs Test Mules

The 4cv featured a grille-like nose that was actually made up of six thin horizontal chrome strips that were meant to differentiate it from any similarity of the car's appearance compared to the German Volkswagen. The car is often described as a shrunken down version of the design of many of the late pre-war front-engined Detroit built passenger cars, which today are some of the most coveted vehicles from the period. Initially offered in just one body style, with just one color, and one engine spec officially referred to as the Normale. The car starving French public, nonetheless were thrilled with the economical little four-door sedan with a monocoque body shell with front suicide doors, built on a framed chassis and a floor, while measuring just under twelve feet long. The original Renault 4CV known as the model R1060, eventually came in several versions, including the original: R1060 Normale: Produced from 1947 to 1950, this was the standard version of the R1060. Next was the R1060 Luxe: Produced from 1948 to 1950, this was an optioned-up version of the R1060. R1060 Grand Luxe: Produced only in 1950 offered even more options than the original Luxe. The R1060 Luxe Découvrable: Produced from 1949 to 1950, this was the premium version of the R1060 with a factory convertible top. A small commercial version of the 4cv featuring no rear windows and back seat was produced starting in 1948. The R2070 Commerciale was based off the R1060 and was made between1948-1950, and replaced by Renault 4cv Based Specials Production Continues Early Ad and Logo

Renault 4cv Based Specials Additional Specifications: the improved R1062. Models included the R1062 Luxe: Produced from 1950 to 1951, this was the base version of the R1062. R1062 Grand Luxe: Produced only for 1950 and 1951, this was the premium version of the R1062. Grand Luxe Découvrable: Produced from 1950 to 1956, this was the version featuring a factory convertible top. R1062 Affaires was the base version produced from 1951-1961, however an even more stripped down version was sold as the R1062 Service in 1953, but it was built only from January to August of that year, while the R1062 Sport was the premium model offered from1951-1961. Also starting in 1950 for the 1951 model year the R1063 was introduced. This was the most desirable version, built specifically for competition. Only 80 examples were built between 1950-1954 of which fourteen were retained by Renault for their own racing efforts. Though Renault produced more than one thousand, R1063 spec engines, and an unknown number of R1063 ‘punts’ which were a complete chassis with floor pan and drivetrain but no bodies, which were used for either one-off creations or limited production concepts and prototype racers. Following the war, France's forty million citizens collectively owned around 100,000 cars. The few cars at the time were owned mostly by the wealthy, but rather than target consumers with new models, most manufactures continued to slowly and expensively hand build pre-war models. So the French automotive industry needed to change. A number of factors, had led to the Renault 4cv being used as a base for countless one–off or limited production creations. With the factory body being made of monocoque construction, this made its installation and even its removal, easy. Along with having its own frame, the engine being placed in the rear, made the floor almost completely flat, this in turn provided a nearly perfect base to mount almost any type of body to. This unique construction was appealing to traditional coachbuilders, working primarily in steel, competition constructors whose chosen medium was aluminum, as well as new breed of builders molding bodies using a new product generally referred to as fiberglass. Production Expands Unique Construction Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive Suspension: Four-wheel ind. Steering: 2.25 turns from L2L Brakes: Four-wheel drum MPG: 35 city 42 Hwy Acceleration 0-60 Mph 33 Seconds Tires: 135 R 15 Front/rear Track: 47.5/47.5 inches Ground Clearance: 5.5 inches Electrical: 6 volt Body: Steel R2070 Commerciale R1063 Competition Engine

By 1950, France’s automotive market, consisted primarily of large ,expensive, hand-bodied, pre-war designs and affordable, massproduced ,economy models. However, what many consumers wanted was France’s first post-war sports car, though no established constructor wanted to make the sizeable investment to build it. So, what started with a few established builders looking to fill a niche, eventually spread to countless individuals trying to become France’s next marque. While other manufacturers cars were also used in these transformations, the Renault 4cv was best suited for a rebody. Renault even offered some of their established customers a ‘punt’. This was a complete chassis with all mechanicals and floors but no body. For those interested in building a racer, Renault’s competition department, would not only provide the major components, they also assisted in the design, and on at least one occasion did the actual preparations . Renault even went as far as giving a number of these creations unique factory model numbers, and even displayed one on their stand at the Paris Motor Show as if they built it. As time went on, it became clear, that while Renault was supportive of this movement, they were not interested in buying any one design, and putting it into production. While in most cases, this would have been detrimental to the movement, but here it actually fanned the flame. Not only in France, but all over Europe, USA, and dozens of other countries Renault 4cv Based Specials Race Is On Vernet and Pairard Record Breaker at L'autodrome de Montlhéry Pierre Ferry at Le Mans in 1950 Bosvin-Michel Specials first race

Renault 4cv Based Specials where the Renault 4cv was sold. At its peak, it is estimated that 4cv based projects numbered in the thousands. While certainly not all these constructors aspired to become manufacturers, a significant number were amateur racers, while this was by no means cheap, for many it was the least expensive option. While the vast majority just wanted to have a unique vehicle, some open, others closed either coupe or sedan Variations Following the war, the most common body style chosen by racers could best be described as if a block of clay had been molded into a streamlined form. The first “Tank” racer had been introduced by Bugatti in 1923, and were still the favorite vehicle type for Le Mans nearly three decades later. Not surprisingly, the first 4cv based racers the Bosvin-Michel Special or BMS, Ferry and V-P’s R1064 were all tanks. However this was changing with the introduction of a new Italian design known as the ‘Barquette’. While very similar to tank, the barquette was much more rounded, an open two-seater with enveloping body and often referred to as boat-like in shape. Besides its racing applications, it could also be driven for pleasure, as well as a new generation of 4cv based coupes were finding their way both to the track as well as on the street. Interestingly, the least popular type of 4cv based racer in France, at this time, was the openwheeled racer. Though a few examples were created. The final type of 4cv based re-creation, was probably the most common, though it goes by many names: convertible, decouvrable, décapotable spider, just to name a few. Many of these transformations were made by only modifying or replacing a portion of the cars panels, however a completely new body was not out of the question, especially when fiberglass bodies became more common. While some of these unique designs can not be fit into any style or type of vehicle, in those cases, other might be an appropriate term. No matter the style, it is amazing the number of examples still being rediscovered. The vast number comes through racing results, followed by period forensic photographic research, but also at an occasional car show or vintage race, or on the very rarest of occasions, when one of these long lost 4cv specials actually comes up for sale. 1951 STAL Single-Seater 1953 V-P Le Mans coupe 1953 Rosier Barquette

This all began nearly twenty-five years ago with a brochure sent to me by my friend Allan Meyer. It was produced for a company called PlastiCar Inc, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and was distributed at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Featured in the brochure were two cars, the Marquis and Rogue. So I wrote a story about the cars, and a few days after it was published I was put in touch with the owner of the Rogue. Amazingly, the car had resided its entire life in Pennsylvania, the same state it was built in. Even more interesting the car still resides there today. Also of note, it turns out there are two Rogues, but that story will have to wait until later. While I was not nearly as lucky initially with the search for the Marquis, though I did receive a few bread crumbs in the way of two old photos that had been pinned to a bulletin board for decades, they were from a race in Cumberland, Maryland in 1956. So, that began the search for the Marquis. Though not much to go on, I tracked down the driver of the car that day was Bob Holbert. A few years later, I found the car’s owner, Mary Ann Buckwalter, amazingly also in Pennsylvania, and not far from where it was last seen nearly a half-century earlier. So I wondered were there other Renault 4cv based cars still out there, either lost to time or not yet discovered. So I grabbed up every old magazine I could find, and soon I came across an article on a car called El Tiburon. Surprising, it only took me a matter of minutes to find its Owner, Geoff Hacker, and after a conversation, it turned out that he had four of the twelve or so examples that had been made. It turns out, Geoff first became aware of the Shark when he was a teenager, and he had actually bought his first one when he was only seventeen years old. In 2012, when Geoff decided to restore that original Shark Roadster he bought when he was a teenager, I sourced many of the mechanical components, and was honored to debut it with him and his team the following Spring in Amelia Island, Florida. Needless to say, the car was a huge success, receiving significant international coverage not only in print but digitally as well Around this time, Geoff sent me pictures of another 4cv based racer that had been sitting out in the California desert for a very long time. He then proposed that we partner on this car, and nearly ten years later we were Renault 4cv Based Specials Reasoning Behind the Index Pinned photo of Marquis from 1956 Original Rogue with Rogue #2 Mary Ann with the Marquis

Renault 4cv Based Specials Reasoning Behind the Index Continued finally able to take possession of the mysterious car. What we would soon learn, this was the Dale Halliday Special. But, as we continued to research the car, we learned that it was actually the second car built by Halliday, for Dr Paul Winters. While the initial Halliday car had more success on the track, this example has the distinction of being the first mid-engine, rear-drive, transverse-mounted, sports car. As it turns out the first of more than million, but that is another book I am working on. While learning about Halliday’s creation, it indirectly led to the rediscovering of a dozen or so other California 4cv based racers, as it turned out, two of which had come from France and had raced at Le Mans. Hence, a database of all USA 4cv based specials was started. So it seemed logical if there were that many cars concentrated in one state, that there were probably countless more all over the world. However, my opinion seemed to be strongly in the minority within the 4cv community. After, what seemed liked, countless internet searches, the largest number I had ever seen referencing unique cars based on the 4cv and built in period was but forty cars. By this point, my personal count was considerably higher than that. In more than two decades of traveling to France, visiting Renault collections, Retromobile, and Le Mans, I was well versed in 4cv based cars raced by Jean Rédélé, Louis Pons, Guy Michel, Pierre Ferry, Émile Vernet, Jean Pairard, Louis, and Jean -Louis Rosier and others. The assumption was for every established racer, there had to be a significant number of unknown drivers. Besides racing 4cv based cars on track, there was another race taking part in post-war France, to become the first to build sports cars in a series. As mentioned previously, the 4cv was probably the best base to build a oneoff car at the time. While It was just as suitable for limited production examples that were able to find a market as well. The biggest quandary, was what to include and what to omit from the index. The biggest debate was cars that were built on their own chassis though using 4cv components. At first it seemed that only 4cv powered vehicles should be included, but after further reflection, any vehicle that used a 4cv as its primary donor vehicle, should be included. So in the end, that was the final criteria chosen. Raymond Rispal’s 4cv based racer Halliday Special found in Redding, CA The unfinished Tiburon’s debut in 2013

So, with a criteria, all that remained, was a time period. Eventually I settled on 1948 to 1971. The earlier date was easy, this is the earliest example I could find of a modified 4cv, while the later, was the final year Renault offered the rear-engined layout so it seemed an appropriate stopping point. Little did I known this would eliminate hundreds of cars that are primarily classified either as Spiders or Protos. The Spiders generally consist of removing the roof, and sometimes converting the car to a two-door, while the earliest known example goes back to 1949, however most seem to be much later. As for the Protos, they first became popular for amateur racing in the late 1960s, but the overwhelming majority were built in the late 1970s or 1980s, some were even turbo charged. As it turns out, some Protos are also Spiders. Though interesting, it seemed appropriate to try to avoid. So, if it could not be established to have been created within the parameters, It was not included. A great example of car not featured, is the case of the Aubouin barquette, while the car definitely stands out for its unique styling, up front the body is very narrow and the front wheels are open, though from the rear, there is still some semblance of the original 4cv, but It just does not appear to have been built in period. The owner, Vincent Aubouin, exhibited the car in 2024 at the Circuit des Remparts in a field consisting of all period 4cv specials, while it appered to fit in well with its likely much older brothers, without proper documentation, for now it remains just a footnote. Also of note, without the help of 4cv enthusiasts like the late Hector Mackenzie-Wintle, Joel Driskell, John Waterhouse, Jonathan Burnette and Mike Self, as well as all the unique 4cv based owners who have shared information, history, and images of their cars for this index, it would have never been possible. Moreover, it needs to remain a living document, and is important to regularly update it, so as new cars are found they can be added to the index. Finally, a significant number of photos are uncredited , and not all photos are used with their owners permission. Being that this book was not made for commercial purposes, attempting to track down many owners was not attempted. If you own any images within this index, and have concerns about its usage, please contact me and it will be removed. Renault 4cv Based Specials Reasoning Behind the Index Continued: A Proto most likely made in the 1980s Spider that may or may not be period Aubouin Barquette at Remparts in 2024

Renault 4cv Based Specials Index: A - C A106 Alpine—Pages 12, 15 & 17 Allemano—Pages 13-18 Anselin—Page 19 Antem— Pages 26-29 & 63 Autobleu—Pages 20-25 & 94 Automobiles VP—Pages 26-39 & 169170 Barquette—8, 11, 30-39, 41-43, 47-53, 58 -60, 64-68, 72-75, 79-84, 96, 101, 105, 127, 132-133, 136-144, 169 & 176 Bastien—Page 40 Bizeray—Pages 40 &168 BG Speciale—Page 44 Bosvin, Camille—Pages 41-43, 58 & 180 Bosvin Michel Speciale (BMS)—Pages 41-43 & 180 Brissonneau and Lotz—Pages 45 & 135 Bruce Buckboard—Pages 46 & 150 Brunetti—Page 54 Bunce-Buck—Pages 47-48 Burnel Tanks—Pages 49-53 & 180 Calandre JR—Page 55 Chappe & Gessalin—Pages 12, 14, 41, 55 -56 & 64 Claude—Pages 12-15, 41-43, 45, 49-53, 56-57, 63-68, 79-84, 89, 91, 96, 143, 178 Clarou Speciale—Page 58 Cognet—Pages 58-59 Colucci—Pages 59-61 Count Geoffroy de Beauffort, 114-115 Convertible—Pages 5-6, 8, 17-18, 25, 45, 55-56, 70, 76-78, 102-103, 112, 118, 121, 128 -129, 135, 144, 148, 163-164, 165-166 & 171 Currus—Pages 61-62, 122-124 D-B(Deutch-Bonnet)—Pages 63-68 Décapotable 69-70 & 163 Delery—Page 71 Devin—Pages 72-75 Duriez—Pages 76-77 Ego—Page 78 Ferry—Pages 7-8, 10, 79-86, 101, 104 & 173 Frua—Pages 87-88 & 178 Galtier—Pages 15, 67, 89 & 178 Genin—Page 90 GFH—Page 91 Gesmier—Pages 92-93 Ghia—Pages 20-22, 87, 94, 95 & 99-100 Gillot-Debeault—Page 96 Halliday—10, 97 & 98 Jolly(Renault)—Pages 94 & 99-100 La Douille—Page 101 Labourdette—Pages 102-103 Laffaye—Page 104 Laurent—Page 104 Lechelle—Pages 105-106 Len Moir—Page 107 Lefaucheux, Pierre—Pages 3-4 & 65 Libelle—Page 108 Index: D - L

Index: M - S Renault 4cv Based Specials Long Special—Page 109 Luciole—Page 110 Mialle—Page 111 Michel Deloma—Page 112 Micheli—Pages 112-113 Mouchiro—Pages 114-115 Monaco Police—Page116 Motto-Pages 91, 92-93, 134-136 & 180 Olimet—Page 117 Pascal—Page 118 Picard, Fernand—Page 2 Pichon & Parat 119-121 Pie—Pages 62 & 122-126 Plassé—Page 127 R-Sport—Page 128 Rédélé, Jean—Pages 10, 12-17, 56, 63-64, 88 & 178 Rêvavie—Page 129 Riffard—Pages 23, 130-131 & 143 Rispal, Raymond—Pages 10, 132 & 133 Rogue—Pages 9, 138 &140 Rogue II—Pages 9, 141-142 Rosier, Louis—Pages 10, 45, 134-141, 153 & 180 Rosier, Jean Louis—Pages 137, 139 & 180 S.E.R. Guépard—Pages 130 & 143 Serra—Page 144 Service—Pages 6 & 145-146 Special by Camille Hardy—Page 147 Special by Kyoshin—Page 148 Speedball Special—Pages 149-150 Splendilux—Page 151 Split Car—Page 152 STAL—Pages 8 & 153 Tank—Pages 8, 26, 36-37, 49-53 & 180 Tiburon—Pages 9-10 & 155-162 Tondreau—Pages 163-164 TTT Transformable—Page 165 Valentine—Pages 165-166 Viotti—Page 166 Unknown Euro Racers—Pages 167-168 Unknown Barquette—Page 169 Unknown Single-Seater—Page 170 Uknown USA Convertible—Page 171 USA Norwood Spider—Page 172 USA Angenroth Special—Page 172 USA Wells Special—Page 172 USA Swift Special—Page 173 USA Skilling Spider—Page 173 USA E Parker Spider—Page 173 USA Pope Special—Page 174 William Pickrel Special—Page 174 Wooden 4cv—Page 175 Wright Special—Pages 176-177 Zagato Dauphine Sport—Page 178 Zink 4cv—Page 179 Ziri Tank—Page 180 Index: T - Z

Renault 4cv Based Specials 1948-1971 First developed by being classified as a new engine for a pre-war model, eventually turning into a clandestine undercover operation, the Renault 4cv was officially debuted at the 33rd Paris Motor Show on October 3, 1946. It almost immediately became a symbol of France's rebirth and new-found liberty after the war. By 1950, what many consumers wanted was France’s first post-war sports car. So, what started with a few builders looking to fill a niche, eventually spread to countless individuals trying to become France’s next marque. While certainly not all aspired to become manufacturers, a number were amateur racers, though the vast majority just wanted to have a unique vehicle that stood out from the crowd. At its peak, it is estimated that 4cv based projects numbered in the thousands. Established builders often used steel, competition constructors chosen medium was aluminum, while a new breed molded bodies using a new product known as fiberglass. Louis Rosier’s R1068 prepared for Le Mans in 1953, alongside a row of 4cvs outside Renault Headquarters

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