Clementine's Garage
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Yellow R4
 
Réparateur d'automobiles

Greetings from Cornwall

KeithS

Enthusiast
Messages
99
Location
Cornwall
As a diversion from my life spent writing about (and driving) VWs and Porsches, I decided to buy myself an R4, having fallen in love many years ago (like 50!) when my brother and I went out for a demonstration drive in a 4 at our local Renault dealer in Surrey where we lived.

After the usual scouring of lesanciennes.com and leboncoin.com, I had a couple of French friends look at a pair of R4s for me, one south of Bordeaux, the other near Toulouse. Long story short, the Toulouse car won and it's now been collected by my friend (who runs an import/export business specialising in classic VWs and Porsche to/from the USA) and delivered to his local 'garagiste' for him to go through it and do whatever's needed for the drive home via Roscoff and Plymouth. First reports are that it needs very little indeed as it's been only lightly used for some time – and it's seemingly proved to be rust free, which was my prime concern.

It's an ’87 Savanne in hearing aid beige and is original paint save for the bonnet. And it's unrestored, which is what I wanted - nearly all the cars I'd seen boasted fresh paint jobs, but nearly all had telltale signs of quick blow-overs: painted door locks, painted boot locks, you name it... Should be heading out to collect it in about three weeks. Can't wait – and then to get it thoroughly waxed/injected etc underneath. The last photo is of the French owner (on the left) and my friend Fabien on the right.
 
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Fabulous - welcome - it looks an ‘honest’ motor . Maybe your friend can find me an R4F4 . :whistle:
 
Hi Keith, there's only a handful of R4s down here, and I only know of four fans of the marque personally, but there are one or two others around. Ah, Lostwithiel, not a million miles away, so maybe in due course we could meet up for a chat.
 
Hi Keith, there's only a handful of R4s down here, and I only know of four fans of the marque personally, but there are one or two others around. Ah, Lostwithiel, not a million miles away, so maybe in due course we could meet up for a chat.
Must admit I can't recall the last time I saw one out on the road down here. While I was casting around to see what was available, the Morgan garage at Perranarworthal (Perranwell Classic Cars) had just sold an R4, which had allegedly belonged to a second home owner (boo!) and was his holiday transport. Looked like most average R4s, TBH.
 
Hi Keith, welcome to the group. I'm down near Toulouse too with my beige R4!
My car is currently at my friend's place, which is at Cuzorn, north west of Agen. The car itself came from Castelsarrasin, near Montauban.
 
Yes they are a rare sight now, so expect yours to turn heads when you are driving the lanes of Cornwall. Your car looks very nice Keith, so I'm looking forward to seeing it in the flesh, and meeting your good self.
 
My car is currently at my friend's place, which is at Cuzorn, north west of Agen. The car itself came from Castelsarrasin, near Montauban.
Castelsarrasin is about 25 mins from me! it's got a 32 plate, Herault so must have lived over East before that?
 
Good looking savanne the same as mine, assume you have the 956cc engine as well, mines has its seata replaced but retains the door cards and external stickers
 
Good looking savanne the same as mine, assume you have the 956cc engine as well, mines has its seata replaced but retains the door cards and external stickers
Thanks - yes, has the same engine as yours. Hopefully it's as sound as it looks!
 
Now there's a good idea Jim. It's a pity 4s are a bit thin on the ground down here, but that makes it a pretty exclusive club :hug:
So maybe in the near future we could have a small get together.
 
Well, she's all done and ready to collect. Two brake hoses, four tyres, repainted wheels, two rear shocks and gear linkage bushing, so not bad. Apparently she drives very well, with no rattles. My problem now is that work precludes me getting over to collect Madam Quatrelle until mid-April. Frustrating to say the least.

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