Renault 4 Chassis available

[RichardIRL]

This may be of interest:

I received this email about chassis for Renault 4s, they say that the price of a renovated chassis is 1200 euros.

"Nous vendons des châssis reconditionnés à neuf.
Ces pièces sont entièrement :
- sablés à l'eau
- traités par bain dans une solution anti corrosion
- apprêt phosphatant
- peinture noir à chassis.

Un document décrit les opérations effectuées et/ou reprises effectués sur chaque châssis.

Le délai moyen est de 3 semaines. Les châssis sont reconditionnés sur commande après un versement de 30% du montant global transport comprit. A ce jour nous avons un châssis en cours de finition de 1989, le prix d'un châssis fini est de 1200.00 € ttc hors transport.

Nous restons à votre disposition pour toute autre demande, n'hésitez pas à visiter notre boutique e bay.


http://stores.ebay.fr/4-ELLES

SARL FOUR'ELLES
Spécialiste 4L & Dérivés
Location - Vente Véhicules et pièces origines
Département Rallyes Raids et Rallyes Asphalte
Etude et Réalisation
Vente toutes pièces :
Occasion - Reconditionées - Refabrication
Du Lundi au Vendredi 8h30 - 12h30 // 13h30 - 19h00
jpfourelles@gmail.com

+ 33 (0) 6-73-23-07-48

 

[benchseat]

Very interesting news in view of the recent discussion on this site (see "New Chassis Are Being Made!!").

Note that the vendor is offering chassis in the plural : in other words, it might be a continuing source of supply.

Note also that the vendor appears to have a credible-looking eBay based operation : however, these things should prompt slight caution on the part of prospective purchasers : (i) Although their eBay feedback rating is 100%, they have not been going very long (Nov. 2009), (ii) the telephone number given is a mobile, (iii) According to Google they are based between Albi and Castres which is a long drive from the UK (iv) The lead time quoted for delivery is three months, which is a long time in these economically difficult days (v) Again per Google, SARL Fourelles is incorporated with a share capital of only E5000, so it is a small operation.

It would be helpful if anyone who has direct experience of dealing with Fourelles could post it to this Thread. At the price this is potentially a very interesting development (especially given that the number of available chassis (for reconditioning) on French "scrappers" must be virtually infinite) which should be taken seriously by anyone with an R4 whose chassis has suffered the vagaries of UK weather but which is otherwise mechanically perfect.

Two other questions which Malcolm or Steve can doubtless answer : (i) If a chassis is replaced on a car which is otherwise unaltered, would this affect its eligibility for UK plates or Tax-Exempt status (I think the answer is no, it would be OK), (ii) what is the interchangeability between "new" and "old" R4 chassis (I'd be looking to replace the chassis on my 1972 "scrapper", for example). Again, I think the answer is that they would be OK apart from possibly the position of the body securing bolts (and front chassis members for those with 3-speed gearboxes), but an expert confirmation would be appreciated.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Not being able to speak French the post doesn't mean a lot to me. However, if there is a market for reconditioned chassis then it would make sense to save and re-con as many as possible. If a chassis is reconditioned then it will keep it's chassis number originally stamped on it at the factory. However, it would make sense to grind it off and use your old chassis number. A chassis is a chassis is a chassis.....and the oval and diamond plates will suffice for registration purposes. I don't know the difference between early and late chassis but I think Malcolm does.....

 

[benchseat]

Translation :

< We sell chassis reconditioned to as-new condition.

Each one is sandblasted, treated in an anti-corrosion bath, passivated and painted black.

The work done and repairs carried out are separately documented for each chassis.

"Lead time" is 3 months. Chassis are reconditioned to order, following a payment of 30% of the total cost including delivery. We are currently finishing off a 1989 chassis. The cost of a finished chassis is 1200 Euros, VAT included, excluding delivery. >

It is not entirely clear whether the chassis has to be initially provided by the client, or whether they source old chassis and then do them up. I imagine the latter.

Regarding Steve Hennessey's reply, I contacted DVLA who told me that the exchange of a chassis, on its own (i.e. without other major exchanges e.g. engine) would not constitute a change of the vehicle's identity for licensing or Tax Exemption purposes. The "new" chassis number would then be entered on the logbook. A personal inspection at a local DVLA office following the exchange might be required.

It would also seem sensible if the oval plate relating to the reconditioned chassis were supplied as part of the package. This would then give the customer a choice of what to do, based on local legal requirements.

This looks interesting, but a bit more info about these people from independent sources would be welcome.

 

[mike4gtl]

In an ideal world a french speaking member should pop in and see them. I would happily do this but my french is not all that. I can get by but i am far from fluent.

M