Chassis No.: 2362982

Engine No.: 607335

Registration: SSY 496

In the late 1930’s, Renault felt the need to create a small, inexpensive family car and so, amazingly during the Nazi occupation in 1941, it was built. Testing continued in secret until the armistice whereupon a production line was started. It was a hit with queues sometimes stretching to two years. The 760cc engine was common until 1950 when 750cc units were substituted to avoid being outclassed in motor sport. Over one million examples were built when production finished in 1961, not a bad gamble by Louis Renault back in 1938. This charming example was owned and used by a local chauffeur during its early life before importation to the UK from Argent-sur-Sauldre in central France in 1996.

Indeed, its arrival in the UK was part of a Renault UK charity appeal in 2012 when five centres were challenged to buy a 4CV for less than £3,000, spend no more than £2,000 on it and then judged on the results. Public generosity prospered and many companies and staff gave of their time and parts to make this the best it could be. It was completely dismantled to bare metal and rebuilt from top to bottom with the results photographically documented within the history file. The vendor acquired ‘Buttercup’ after the competition ended and has enjoyed her ever since. Bonne journée!

https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/?lot=7349&au=66