1955 Renault 4CV

This little French car, often referred in Europe as the 'French Volkswagen', was a very economical and reliable car for daily transportation. The Renault 4CV was show for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in October of 1946. It was small but with adequate space for four adults. The first 4CV cars were all sprayed with paint left by the Germans which had been destined for trucks intended for the Afrika-Corps. The half-millionth 4CV rolled out of production in 1954 with production coming to a close on July 6, 1961, when more than a million examples had been sold.

For 1955, the four-door sedan continued with little change. Power was from an overhead valve four-cylinder engine displacing 45.6 cubic-inches and offering nearly 30 (SAE) horsepower. A convertible body style was also available, selling for $1,500, an additional $200 over the sedan. Standard equipment included directional signals, a heater, defroster, and leatherette upholstery.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016