The R4 was my first car. I could fit my whole drumkit in the trunk.

@NTRSN-Archive

3 жыл бұрын

Prachtig toch .

@tommyblackwell3760

2 жыл бұрын

Have to admit I'm impressed.

@JK4ManC

2 ай бұрын

I very nearly had one as my first car for the same reason. I could get the complete kit in it.

I would gladly have one of each, but in my case a 2CV arrived in my garage over 20 years ago, and she's not leaving any time soon. Every time I drive it, it still puts a huge grin on my face. Not many cars have that kind of staying power.

@ClassicsWorldUK

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed, few cars offer such smiles per gallon!

@chevronist

3 жыл бұрын

I've had four Renault 4s - lovely car but like you, I've had my 2CV over 20 years and use it as much as possible! Part of the family.

They both are the best!Shame nobody in the world is making a modern peoples car that ordinary people can afford...

Here in rural SW France rust is not a problem, hence car bodies last. My neighbour is a Citroen nut and has many variants (2cv car, van and dyane) so I see his often. otherwise they are not common these days. However, there are quite a few R4's used as 2nd or 3rd cars, owned for decades and used as a hack or for hunting. They handle rough tracks well and a dead deer fit's in the back.

@uncinarynin

2 жыл бұрын

I remember the 1980s when our neighbour in Germany had a ten year old Renault 4 with huge rust holes in the floor (you had to be careful not to drop anything or it would end up on the road). People said "in France they drive it like this because there's no TÜV"

@russcattell955i

2 жыл бұрын

@@uncinarynin In France for TUV it's CT Control Technique. cars over 4 years, every other year, less strict for old cars.

@LysanderLH

2 жыл бұрын

We’re near Marciac and I see the occasional 2CV (deux douch) but more R4s. I’d have either.

I was a mechanic retired now and worked and drove both cars in the 80s and was a owner of Renault 4 that was more comfortable and willing than the 2cv this posting brought back some memory's :-)

I drive one of the original Kangoos, which in many ways is an updated Renault 4 and almost as spartan with lots of painted tin, rubber mats and wind-up windows. For many people this type of basic transport, devoid of temperamental electronic gadgetry, is still what is required. I can't part with mine because I can't see anything newer that would do the job half as well.

@tommyblackwell3760

2 жыл бұрын

My father-in-law has had his since new, and he has no plans to sell it. It works, every time, and while it may not win on style you can't beat the utility.

@eightosaurusspelunk1598

Жыл бұрын

Those are very good cars and I love how honest they are

One of my sisters has a 2 CV. She loves it as the anti-tech statement. She is a helicopter pilot and she just adores the simple dash, the antithesis of the one in "her" $ 17M machine...

I love the Renault. It was a wonderful car to drive some 30 years ago when I delivered mail.

Having owned - and thoroughly used and enjoyed - multiple examples of each, as well as Dyanes (but not R6s), I think it's a pointless argument. France is a country with a big heart and can easily accommodate two great people's cars. The 2CV was the car that haunted your rear view mirror everywhere you went in France and the R4 was the one that the Gendarmes put blue lights and he-haw-he-haw horns on. Love them both and would happily own both again.

Had them both, no contest for me - R4 is like a rocket ship (compared to 2CV, ofcourse :-)). In the hands of a skilled driver, on a twisty road, R4 can give cars twice as powerful a run for their money (and no, I am not that aforemented "skilled driver").

2CV - "More Smiles Per Mile", than any car on the planet!!!! I have owned 3 x 2CV6 in RHD from new - 1978 Club, 1982 & 1990 Charlestons - 550,000 kms in total. Once saw 134 kph on the GPS on a long down hill, passing many amazed drivers - our limit on motorways is 110 kph. Usual max is 115 kph on a flat road so long as there is no headwind. Rare in Australia - I have had 43 years of motoring sheer joy and made many friends. 1990 Charleston cost Aus$7,700 delivered Tourist Transit new in Paris. Currently insured in Sydney for Aus $42,000 and keeps going up each year.

Historically? Debatable, 2CV is more iconic Today? Renault 4 definitely. 2CV is a classic, a collectors car for occasional weekend blast and quite more expensive. Renault 4 I still occasionally see on the roads used by *actual* people, old folks who had it for 30-40 years and is still serving them well.

@rigoloweb4762

3 жыл бұрын

as a French, I m thinking the same thing

@srfrg9707

3 жыл бұрын

There are ev converted 2CVs all over the place. No one bothers to convert a 4L

@rigoloweb4762

3 жыл бұрын

@@srfrg9707 all over the place? what kind of place?

@tinatpasselepoivre

3 жыл бұрын

And when you mix the two you get a dyane ! Coolness of the 2cv with added practicality. Here in France you'd be surprise how many people semi daylies to daylie the 2cv and dyane.

@chevronist

3 жыл бұрын

The last holiday in France in my own 2CV I saw probably 4-2CVs in 3000kms but there were plenty of Renault 4s still in everyday use. Great to see

Renault 4 for me. Something strangely cool about them.

@philpaxton2078

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love them. The 2CV may be more of a People's car, but the R4 is the better car.

@obelic71

3 жыл бұрын

The Renault 4 F (Fourginette) commercial van version is even more a French Icon then the 2CV Fourginette (AU/AZU/AK) . almost every bakery delivered its baguettes in a R4F in France! The roof above the rear doors of a R4F can open so you can transport longer and bulky goods.

@alexiszorbec-legras8232

3 жыл бұрын

@@obelic71 "The roof above the rear doors" called in France "Girafon" ( baby girafe).

@obelic71

3 жыл бұрын

@@alexiszorbec-legras8232 A well thought over practical design feature. One of big the reasons the R4F's outsold the 2CV fourginettes and akadiane. Even today good R4F's are expensive to buy. Even the most die hard 2CV lover must admit he has a soft hart for the R4F

Had/drove both back in the days and loved them -for totally differnt reasons. Today I would like to have one of each in the garage. As mentioned below - R4 as a daily, 2CV for the weekend.

I have to say that I prefer the Tin Snail. It was the first, the most innovative, more survive in the wild, and its definitely tres chic. The Dyane was Citroen’s answer to the R4, but it lacks that unique character that defines the 2CV.

@auggie803

2 жыл бұрын

-And the 2CV can plow through snow very well due to it's tall narrow 😴 tires. U could easily go down the snowy back road & back home with a good 5"of 🌨 snow on road. If there had been more snow on the road like 6 inch's or more The 2CV would have had no problem with that amount either. These cars are built for places like the snowy French Alps.

Back in the day I had, at different times, 3 different R4s, bought very cheaply. Brilliant concept, different, versatile, fun to drive, reliable, easy & simple to work on; also the engine started almost before you touched the ignition key and in the 1100cc version quite quick. Have never owned a 2CV, but would like to own one. Both great cars.

I like both but the 2cv is the car i drive everyday ....brilliant car!!!

Well I am a Peugeot fanatic so I should side with the 2CV and abhor the R4, but I'll admit that Renault is superior for once in my life. If anything the R4 is far more practical and accessible as a daily car you can actually use. And (at least where I'm from) R4s are far cheaper than 2CVs, like 1/4th the price for similar condition cars.

@matterofapinion

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a diehard Citroen fan, and yet I championed the 4 here... the Renault is a better car, but I'd rather have a 2CV.

As an Aussie the 2CV is the classic stereotypical symbol of everything French. I need to have one before I die.

@stephenberry8658

Жыл бұрын

I have owned 3 in Australia over 44 years bought RHD in UK and French tourist delivery. Totally addictive.

Ha both loved them both. Now have berlingo mk1 the upmarket version of both. Love itdoes everything

Excellent video. I love both machines. There is an argument that the closer competition for the R4L was the Ami or the Dyane. There is also an argument that there doesn't have to be a winner. I have driven a 2Cv from the UK to the Sahara, but would rather drive a 4L on the Autoroute. Careful with your French titles ...... "Petite Pois" doesn't read well. But the video is full of affection for the cars. I'm not sure you made enough of the hatchback on the 4L.

Cars of my childhood in France! A choice between the Deudeuche or a quatrelle.

The 2CV was often referred to as the "Up Turned Pram" by comedian Jasper Carrot. lol.

Both are good but different The 2cv is more car and nothing else, the 4L was a good car for passengers and transform to take or carry merchandise My vote is for the 4L

I prefer The 2cv. Very difficult to turn over. Keeps very well the road. I drove both.

The Open University does French cars. Nice video.

I like the 2cv but I prefer the Renault 4.

@thanakonpraepanich4284

3 жыл бұрын

Having the Pope in the Renault 4 club doesn't hurt either.

Indeed, the 2CV have maybe, more Charisma, but the “Renööh” 4 is better..👍

In 1965 from Paris to Istanbul and Ankara and back,a fully loaded 2CV and an R4 made an 8 weeks journey. The R4 was always the fastest but when the going got tough on intractable Turkish paths the 2CV was the only one to make it through and the R4 was left to find easier roads.

That was great!... 'really enjoyed it 🇨🇵👍

@ClassicsWorldUK

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Craig!

I am a fan of historic people's cars. Ones that changed the history of motoring for ordinary people. Cars like the Ford Model T, the Austin 7, (I own a Ruby), the Morris Minor, the Mini, the 2CV and the Renault 4. I guess I should include the Beetle too. I think probably my favourite because of the sheer brilliance of the design is the Mini. With regards to the French pair, I have utmost respect for the R4. In 1981 I recall driving my new Metro to the south of France. I was overtaken by R4s, on twisty mountain roads. They would go round the bends so fast they were nearly scraping their door handles on the road! A seriously good and very practical car. However, my heart is with the 2CV. And, if you are patient, it is still a thoroughly usable practical car. I have seen enthusiasts going to the Sahara desert in Morocco in them.

@UTopia-eg7gm

3 жыл бұрын

Nice. Every year around 1200 (!) Renault 4’s drive to Morocco and back to France as a student project. Renault 4 still going strong. And mind you, this car has been out of production since 30 years. (See 4L trophy)

@nealeburgess6756

3 жыл бұрын

@@UTopia-eg7gm Yes. R4s are geat cars. I have a lot of respect for them. I remember in 1971 my friend's father had an early very basic one with a 3 speed gearbox. When fully loaded it strugled a bit on steep hills, but you could be sure it would get there, even if slowly in first gear.

It must’ve been ages since I’ve heard the word “idiosyncratic” in a car review for the last time. It was worth the moment indeed !

@ClassicsWorldUK

2 жыл бұрын

We aim to please!

I have always loved the 2CV but my very first car was a bright yellow Renault 4 with a full length black vinyl sunroof!

Awesome guys

Cool, I didn't know that the 2CV could be modified to be a hatchback. Making a great car, even greater! I love them both, utilitarian but very stylish at the same time.

Gotta love the quirky 2cv, but I’d have a R4 all day long.

2CV for me. Iconic car.

Renault 4🔝🔝💪❤️

Brilliant video

@ClassicsWorldUK

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Luke!

I had a R4 I 1975 I Zambia I took it everywhere over dirt roads. It would float.

R4. My first car and the best all arounder that I ever had. Regret the moment that I sold it.

Ask Danny Devito (Or watch Romancing the Stone) to find out the better one of these two. I grew up with Renaults 4. They had good internal heating as the engine was water cooled. The 2CV was not. Als the R4 was boxy with a huge trunk gate. You could carry about anything after taking the back seat out. Also it did not lean anyway like the 2CV in corners and the seats front and back were much much better. The only thing I can give to 2CV is the looks and the roll open roof.

renault 4, my 1st car! 1981 given to me,1974 model.

Great video. I have both of these cars and they are both great. :) I like that you've chosen an honest examples, not garage queens.

@ClassicsWorldUK

3 жыл бұрын

They go together well, don't they?

@b888cky

3 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicsWorldUK They do. :)

Incomparable. Two completely different concepts from a different era.

@jtothew4201

2 жыл бұрын

Hmm not sure that's entirely true the Renault was built to compete with the Citroen.

The 2CV is the more iconic car but the R4 is the better car. I love both, my family drove a R4 in frog green :-)

The 2CV was a bad car - right from its introduction in 1948. The only thing it had going for it, was its price, which at first, was high than the VW bug´s in Germany. The R4 was a real car, designed for urbanites as well as young families. It was competetively priced - and a success!

Renault 4 is better as a practical car, 2CV is a cooler design. If it was up to me, I would choose 4 as a daily driver and 2CV for classic car gatherings.

I’d love a R4.

Out of the two it's the R4 for me. Though if I could have any car........MK1 Renault Twingo. I had one and I still miss it.

R4 any day of the week for me! Love to get my hands on one as a daily, but they're like hens teeth now ☹️

How can u hv a sun roof on ur R4 ?

When I was young I overlooked these two cars. Now I'm nearly 60 I can see the error of my ways. Both beautiful but I think I prefer the Renault...

Two iconic cars great in their own way but I loved the Renault 5 we had a Lecar 5 speed not the later transverse but the earlier quirky one with gear box in front of the engine it went like hell miss it . I was used to driving a Fiat 500 1972 so the 5 was like a supercar to me. I still have the Fiat but have a 2014 Dacia Duster a best combination of Gallic and Romanian virtues

@hunchanchoc8418

3 жыл бұрын

That early 5 really WAS a 4 with a chic body on top. The earliest ones even had the bent rod dashboard gear lever.

The 4L was and is remembered as the french post (PTT) delivery car. The 2CV is the french way of life.

Great review both great cars shame they died but Renault are planning another 4. However the nearest car to these classics is the Fiat Panda the Italian version and I think still the best selling car in Italy. Perhaps a test on the Panda today’s people’s car!

@ClassicsWorldUK

3 жыл бұрын

Funny you should suggest a Panda video...

@terryatkinson3182

3 жыл бұрын

Fiat for me too but I'm biased as I have 2of them

Awsome video. I have had both. The Classic car prices show clearly that most prefer the 2CV as a charming nod to French culture and engineering, as do I. However, if you travel to South Europe and South East Europe you will se many R4s still in service, which may indicate that the R4 is better at surviving everyday use. In Denmark a R4 is practically unsellable, while a nice 2CV easily fetches 10000 euros. The same goes for the Dyane, which is arguably a better version of the 2CV, conversely, it is only worth a third of the price in Denmark. The 2CV is the original, with all its quirks and (lack of) features ;-)

LOL the driving position at 07:02 looks much better than more recent Renault products like the 9/11, 19, 5 . clios, megane 1 etc. Almost unbeliveable. Nice vertical steering wheel and instrument cluster and space between the wheel and the seat while the mentioned above 80s and 90s Renault had inclined steering wheel and instrument cluster that I absolutely hated. Even , the Megane 4 is today is that way. When I step out of any recent Peugeot and take the wheel of a Megane 4 , it's feels like if driving a minivan.

I had an R4 for a couple years. I think it would have been much better with the 1.4 engine and five speed gearbox from the early R 4.

2CV is the best

@UTopia-eg7gm

3 жыл бұрын

For you maybe. I prefer the Renault 4. Of course.

@alvarocobo192

2 жыл бұрын

Yes yes yes

depends :) the best of the two for you can be the one you saw your relatives in... in my case a Renault 4, no 2cv in my memory (even if i know that my father and my mother got one) ... i still have my granpa renault 4 in my garage btw ;) the 2cv is generally much appreciated because of the "fun factor", its look, the fact you can remove the roof. but if you want a car like these to drive it and eat kilometers... take a renault 4... it s more practical and it s not so ridiculous in traffic (acceleration, cruise speed and brakes) with the last motors, especially the 1.1 34cv from last GTL clan ones. and if you want to be pragmatic... try to find a renault 6 with the cleon motor it s an evolution of the R4 with 10 more bhp, better equipment. less rustic and road capable, even a little of highway if needed

The r4 it's so popular here in Algeria

Notice how the guy in the 2CV has to shout while the other guy speaks at a normal voice.

@matterofapinion

3 жыл бұрын

In fairness, I have a louder voice than Jack does.

@2adamast

3 жыл бұрын

At 120 km/h the 4L was hell

@Pico_Farad

3 жыл бұрын

@@2adamast I bet the 2cv couldn't even reach that speed 😄

No one mentions the brakes..we’re they any good?

I didn’t buy a 2CV, because in winter, even with the hose attached properly, it was colder inside than outside. Idling on a rainy day would mist up the windows so much that you couldn’t see the traffic lights. 😊

Both nice cars. The 2CV was very innovative when it was launched, but always during its live it lacked of power (in the beginning it had 18hp!). The Renault 4 is way better than the Deuche in every way. I would choose the R4, but I would love to have one of each.

@petercrosland5502

2 жыл бұрын

That Renault 4 might be slightly better with the bigger 1100 engine, but the earlier 850 one was awful. I ended up beating mine with a tree branch long before John Cleese attacked his 1100. As to the different wheelbase on each side of Renault 4 and others, look under Citroen H van -1948 on - and guess what?

Actually - The original 2CV had a soft top that rolled all the way to rear bumper - and there was no trunk bonnet which makes it the first hatchback of the two...

Both iconic...... Vive la voiture!!!

@ClassicsWorldUK

3 жыл бұрын

Oui oui!

If I had to drive either as an only car, then R4. It's the technically better, more usable car, as it should be given how much later a design it was. Otherwise 2CV. Its pre war origins give it more charm.

@dallesamllhals9161

2 жыл бұрын

..and in a world with no tarmac?

In 1988 the 2CV was so so outdated. It was a fashion statement/icon.

@michaelschulz9164

2 жыл бұрын

Cv2 ....for the woke ....R4 ... for serious people

Renault 4 Best by far

@srfrg9707

3 жыл бұрын

not offroad though

tuve un R4S al que lo hacía hablar! divierte mas andar al límite, que andar rápido🙂

So which gears are mos important for city and curvy country roads on a 4 speed? 2 and 3! How to shift them in the 2CV? Forth-back. How in the R4? Forth-sideways-Forth and back-sideways-back. Even that unusual gear box was developed by engineers to be better and not without thought. I have neither - but if I'd buy one it would be the 2CV.

I prefer the 2cv and after owning five of them from 1984 - 2000 that’s my opinion but the Renault 4 is a much better car to live with in terms of a heater and functionality and comfort

At least the R4 didn't have to shout to be heard over his bag of spanners

As a French, The Renault 4 is a better car, but the 2cv is in my heart.

I’m always amazed at how Brit collector cars are always rusting away. You would think that they would be put away during the winter.

@ClassicsWorldUK

Жыл бұрын

Many of us don’t have that luxury!

@erikberg1623

Жыл бұрын

@@ClassicsWorldUK Most of my collection in the US have always been middle aged man toys. My vintage Porsche 911s or Hot Rods were never driven in the rain or snow. Most of my neighbors were also going through middle age and also built or restored collector cars. I never had more than one or two in various stages of repair or restoration. Great fun and gave you something to do in the long grey & wet winters of the Pacific Northwest.

I want a R4.

I might be biased by having owned a 2cv but I would recommend the R4 any day. The 2cv is too under powered for regular use and, even then, it was hard to find spare parts. Looking back 40 years to when I owned the 2cv I wish that I had bought a Skoda Estelle instead... (Skoda dealer was much closer than the Citroen one was and had a far better reputation)

The Renault 4 wouldn’t have existed without the 2CV to copy and improve upon. Had both, as bangers, and in old age in the U.K. the 2CV lasts better. And you can get parts way easier and service. Love both though but haven’t had a 4 interrupt the last 20 solid years of Citroën 2CVs various, partly because they’ve disappeared. I’ll have another 4 though, eventually, in tandem with a more trusted 2CV/Dyane/Ami.

A peoples car is defined by how many people actually want to own one and physically end up buying one. So no matter what the arguments are for the 2CV the Renault 4l is clearly the preferred choice of the people world wide and is therefore the peoples car. For the argument that without the 2cv the Renault 4 would not exist is the same as saying without VW Beetle the 2CV would not exist. After driving for a few hundred miles or living with car for a few weeks the head always rules the heart and that is why the Renault always wins

Not really comparing like with like, the R4 was a Dyane competitior after Louis Renault realised they may have been shoving the engine in the wrong end. Original R4 had 747 cc engine and 3 speed box, most had 848 cc and 4 speed. I have had both and ended up beating my R4 with a piece of tree long before John Cleese. It leaked, it fell in bits both mechanically and bodily but against the Dyane simply no comparison and the reason is the gearing. The different wheelbase on the Renault 4 is the same as the Citroen H-van of 1948. I hired a GTL in Morocco and yes it was impressive but it had taken a long time to get there.

R4 for daily, and 2CV at week-end. Debat is over now.

The answer is simple, the 2CV is a pre war drsign and the R4 is a post war design. The R4 is in fact a perfectioned 2CV and both are means of transport, not cars.

2 CV for the heart R 4 for the brain Love both

i believe you can still use the Renault ' as a daily so i like that car

El 4 latas es más funcional, pero conducir un 2cv es mágico!!!

Is that Willy rushton driving the Renault

@matterofapinion

3 жыл бұрын

I have been called much worse!

I don’t think you could get the R4 without the 2CV. Of course the R4 would be better, because they had an opportunity to learn lessons from the 2CV, and had a base on which they could improve. However, if our metric is based on how adorable the car is, they both win.

Renault 4 is not only hatchback. It is also a crossover;)

I love my old 2cv in red.....its easy and french and simply

They are completely different cars and the fact that they "competed" or are considered "rivals" is a eulogy to the 2CV engineering and cultural achievement as the "fundamental" or "minimal expression" car. Also, if you want to compare numbers, you have to count all the 2CV spinoffs...

@computerjantje

3 жыл бұрын

disagree on the spinoffs. The spin of of the 2CV is the "Diane'. But the spinoff of the R4 is the R5. And we all know that the R5 even today is driving around, is a very popular car until some 10 years ago and was way way way more popular then the Diane.

The biggest wrong in this video is the steering at the wrong side. Only a few were delivered with the steering at the right(wrong) side. You could have published this video mirrored to make it better suited for world viewing :)

Both r iconic in France, both r becoming new EV :)

having had both i have to say ."how can you compare? they have entirely different characters, they both have tremendous appeal but *better*? ? silly idea. there is no "better"... just different.

Il choose 2cv because its fun

The Citroën 2CV have much more personality then the Renault. The 2CV is kind of art. The Renault 4 is not bad, I even like it a bit. But most people will forget the Renault 4, while the 2CV will in everybody's mind forever!

La conduite de la 2cv est spécial et procure du plaisir , la R4 est un bon outil certes supérieur mais ne procure aucune sensation particulière lors du pilotage

❤

(We missed out in the US…☹️)

@computerjantje

3 жыл бұрын

You had the Beatle. ....ohhh wait.. that was a German car :)