Astonishment. Pointing and staring. Perplexed frowns. Smiles. Waves. A friendly thumbs up.
That’s the chronological order of reactions that Sami Sasso’s cheerfully orange Renault 4 receives. It really is one of the happiest cars on the road today, guaranteed to take that frown and turn it upside down. This from a machine that was built in 1989 and used as basic transportation just outside Paris till it was put out to pasture a few years ago. That would have been that, had it not been for an intrepid photographer’s dream to run the Mongol Rally in something relatively reliable and affordable.
Sami bought the car sight unseen in 2020 and began the process of reviving this long dormant 4 automobile with the objective of making it to the starting line of the Rally. Unfortunately, all dreams do not come true and with conflict brewing en route, the difficult decision was made to abandon the rally itself. The car was later finished but didn’t have anywhere to go.
After what must have seemed like an eternity, the cheerful orange 4 eventually made its way from Paris to Dubai, where it joined its much younger descendant – a Clio RS – in Sami’s garage. A professional photographer by day with a deep affinity for Renault, Sami is the perfect custodian for the happy little 4.
The machine itself is basic. Citroen 2CV basic. The two cars competed directly within the same segment of French automobiles, so a comparison is only natural. Sami’s car has been fitted with a few additional rally amenities: an LED lightbar, interior switches, gauges, an intake snorkel and hood pins. The car has also been wrapped in bright vinyl orange, over the factory paint which is… orange.
The ride itself is comfortable and swift. Sliding windows provide ventilation and the shifter is a 90-degree thing that sticks out of the dashboard (the linkage is a work of art). It’s transportation at its simplest and it just works.
Far from its natural habitat, this Renault 4 continues to bring joy to so many while living a second life – a life that Sami has blessed it with. From his enthusiasm, it’s clear that he enjoys the cheerful little 4 very much.
Happy, quirky and bright, this R4 is here to stay. Give it a wave the next time you see it.
