- One of three 4L entered by Renault for the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally

- Driven by Jean Ragnotti at the 2011 Monte-Carlo Historic Rally

- Meticulous preparation by Renault Classic

- No reserve

In 2011, to celebrate the launch of the Renault 4, Renault Classic entered three R4s in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Sylvain Reisser, 'Monsieur Automobiles' of Le Figaro, was in the car driven by Jean Ragnotti. This enabled him to write an excellent feature, which we quote here:

"Among this distinguished collection of rally cars, three Renault 4s vouched for the fact that Renault's first front-wheel drive car competed in the event in 1962 and 1963." A response to Citroën's 2 CV, the R4 took shape in the mind of Pierre Dreyfus, Renault's chairman, in the mid-1950s. At the time, it was intended to replace the 4 CV, which had been launched just after the war and whose design was now outdated. It was in this context that Renault introduced the concept of the 'blue jeans car', which, at the Paris Motor Show in 1961, gave rise to the Renault 4, of which three versions were offered: the R3, which was soon dropped, a van, and the R4 and R4L (for 'Luxe'). Rejecting any labels in a status-hungry society, the R4 undoubtedly showed its customers respect by offering them a genuine service: a comfortable means of individual or family transport at minimum cost. A truly versatile car, as much at ease during the week as at the weekend, in town as in the country. For Dreyfus, the R4 accompanied a rapidly changing society. This basic car, as defined by Renault, was certainly no beauty, but that was not its main concern. The car had to cost not a centime more than 350,000 (old!) francs, Dreyfus had warned in 1956. Its modest interior and dimensions make us smile today: 3.67m long, 1.49m wide and 1.55m high. But in the paddock at Monaco, the public only had eyes for it. For this global car, sold in more than 100 countries, appealed to everyone. We do not know of a single family who has never experienced travelling in this carriage perched on bicycle wheels. Everywhere we went, it sparked enthusiasm and a wave of memories. “

The three R4s were assigned to Michel Leclère, an F1 driver in the 1970s, Emmanuel Guigou, an official Renault Sport rally driver, and Jean Ragnotti, aka 'Jeannot', the most popular driver of all in the corners.

This example is none other than the one driven by Jean Ragnotti during the 2011 Monte Carlo Historic Rally, bearing the number 4. The car was fully restored and prepared in 2010 by the Renault Classic workshops, to take part in this event. Many upgrades were fitted to the original model, such as a new camshaft (the best at that time), large valves, drum brakes from a van, anti-roll bar from an R5 Alpine, three bucket seats, trip master and two map readers, as well as long-range headlights. The car then participated in the Costa Brava Rally in November 2011 (still driven by Jean Ragnotti), before being won by its previous owner at a prize competition organized by Renault. The car had a mileage of 3,500 km at that time and now displays over 8,000 km on the odometer. This Renault 4 is a unique opportunity to acquire a car meticulously prepared by its manufacturer and driven by one of the biggest names in French rallying, during one of the most prestigious racing events worldwide! 

Photos © Loïc Kernen