The tiny French car that took on the Aussie outback (and won)

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Many car lovers dream of getting back behind the wheel of their very first car. For John, that dream never faded - in fact it became his reality. Purchased in 1966 during his final year of high school and still sitting proudly in his garage, is his Renault 4CV. This blue beauty is more than just a car, it's almost 60 years of memories, milestones and long road trips.

Built in post-war France, the 4CV was Renault’s answer to affordable, mass-market motoring. Compact, rear-engined and remarkably efficient for its time, it went on to become the first French car to sell more than a million units worldwide. Its round shape and early colours earned it the affectionate nickname “la motte de beurre” – the little pat of butter, a name as charming as the car itself.

The 4CV found a following in Australia too. Sold locally as the Renault 750, nearly 14,000 were assembled onshore. John’s car, however, is something a little more special. It is one of the early imports, built and assembled in Paris before making the long journey to Australia.

John’s relationship with the 4CV began in South Australia, where a local mechanic would restore and sell the cars for around $100. That mechanic became both mentor and teacher, passing down mechanical knowledge and a deep appreciation for Renault engineering. So, when the opportunity arose to buy an imported 4CV for just $60, the decision was easy.

When John first bought the car, his modifications were minimal: seatbelts for safety, a fresh blue paint job, and a series of additional gauges. At the time, his friends jokingly referred to them as “worry meters”, but today temperature and pressure gauges would feel standard in a modern car. Over the decades, John has been meticulous about keeping the 4CV true to its roots. Changes have been few and functional: a six-volt alternator sourced from the US, additional rear indicators borrowed from a Citroën DS, a synchromesh gearbox, and larger brakes.

His favourite addition, though, came directly from France, a nourrice. A small reserve fuel tank that sits neatly inside the spare wheel in the front boot, a period-perfect solution designed for peace of mind on long journeys.

And long journeys are exactly what this Renault has seen. A geologist by profession, John took his 4CV far beyond city streets. The little Renault accompanied him into the Australian outback, traversing rough terrain that would challenge most modern SUVs. As a student, it carried him reliably through some of the country’s most unforgiving landscapes, never once failing to get him home. It’s truly a testament to the durability of early automotive engineering. Not only did the 4CV survive Australia - but it also conquered it.

That early experience cemented a lifelong loyalty. The 4CV sparked a passion for Renaults that never left, and today, John’s garage tells that story clearly. Parked alongside the 4CV is an immaculate Renault R8, the model that would go on to become the first European car to win Australia’s Wheels Car of the Year. These days, the R8 serves as John’s go-to daily driver, sharing duties with his slightly more modern Renault Scenic.

There’s a certain romance in a car that grows old with you. For John, that romance became literal at Adelaide University, where he met his wife Alex, the only other student driving a Renault 4CV – and from that moment on their love story was well and truly in gear.

The 4CV has seen John through the optimism of youth, the demands of work, and the steady passage of time. It’s always waiting and always ready. In an era of disposable motoring, this little Renault stands as a reminder that when you truly connect with a car, it becomes far more than transport. It becomes part of the family.