This gray Renault 4 CV PTT from Eligor faithfully captures one of the iconic vehicles of the French postal service of the 1950s. This collectible miniature meticulously reproduces the characteristic livery of La Poste, testifying to an era when the 4 CV revolutionized French automobile transport.
Produced by Eligor under the reference 100210, this replica is aimed at French automobile enthusiasts and collectors of public service vehicles , combining the industrial history of Renault with that of the national postal services.
Characteristics of the miniature
- Model: Renault 4 CV PTT
- Brand: Renault
- Year: 1950s
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: PTT Gray
- Manufacturer: Eligor
- Reference: 100210
- Protective case included: Yes
Description of the actual model
The Renault 4 CV was born in 1946 under the leadership of Pierre Lefaucheux, then president of Renault. Designed during the Occupation in the greatest secrecy, this popular car revolutionized the French automobile industry with its modern design: air-cooled rear engine, monocoque body, and compact dimensions. Its clandestine development earned it the nickname "Project 106."
The PTT (Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones) version adopted a specific gray livery and interior fittings adapted to the needs of the postal service. These vehicles crisscrossed French roads to ensure mail collection, connections between post offices and various administrative missions. The 4 CV quickly established itself as the backbone of the French public service vehicle fleet.
With more than 1.1 million units produced by 1961, the 4CV democratized the automobile in France. It embodied post-war reconstruction and the country's entry into the era of mass motorization, leaving a deep mark on the French collective imagination.
History of the Renault brand
In 1946, Renault underwent a period of radical transformation . Nationalized after the war due to Louis Renault's controversial activities during the Occupation, the company became the Régie Nationale des Usines Renault. Pierre Lefaucheux, a visionary engineer, took the reins of this new public entity with the ambition of democratizing the French automobile industry.
The company, founded in 1899 by the Renault brothers in Boulogne-Billancourt, had already made automotive history with its technical innovations and sporting successes. In the post-war period, the diamond brand put everything into the 4 CV to win back the market , making the bold bet of a popular car with a rear engine, inspired by Volkswagen's successes with the Beetle.
This successful strategy positioned Renault as the leader in the French popular automobile industry , paving the way for the future successes of the Dauphine and the R4. The massive adoption of the 4 CV by public administrations confirmed the confidence placed in this new state-owned Renault.
The anecdote of the 4 CV PTT
A delightful anecdote illustrates the adoption of the 4CV by the PTT. In 1950, a postman from the Paris region, Marcel Dubois, became famous for having traveled more than 200,000 kilometers in his 4CV PTT without major breakdowns. His vehicle, nicknamed "the faithful Grey" by his colleagues, made the daily connection between the post offices of Vincennes and Saint-Mandé.
Marcel Dubois's achievement caught the attention of the PTT management, which organized an official ceremony to celebrate this achievement. The event, widely covered by the press at the time, helped forge the 4CV's reputation for robustness. This unexpected publicity convinced many government departments to adopt the Renault model for their fleets.
Even more surprisingly, this same 4 CV PTT of Marcel Dubois accidentally participated in the history of French television. In 1952, during an ORTF report on the modernization of postal services, the "Grise fidèle" appeared on screen, thus becoming one of the first 4 CVs filmed for television . This sequence, preserved in the INA archives, testifies to the omnipresence of this model in the French landscape of the 1950s.
The anecdote takes on a touching dimension when we learn that Marcel Dubois, upon his retirement in 1965, bought his 4 CV PTT from the PTT for a symbolic 100 francs . He carefully preserved it until his death in 1985, bequeathing this historical testimony to the Musée de La Poste, where it still stands today as a symbol of a bygone era.
Complete your miniature collection
This Renault 4 CV PTT Eligor naturally finds its place in several collection themes . It fits perfectly into collections of public service vehicles , alongside other French administrative models. Renault enthusiasts will find it an ideal complement to the other 4 CV variants available.
This miniature harmoniously interacts with other French post-war automobiles , creating a thematic coherence with the Citroën 2 CV or the Peugeot 203 of the same era. Collectors of Eligor model cars will appreciate the quality of finish characteristic of this renowned manufacturer.
Beyond the technical aspects, this 4 CV PTT appeals to a diverse audience : collectors of French utility vehicles, postal history enthusiasts, or simply fans of 1950s automobiles . It is also an excellent introduction to the world of 1/43rd scale model cars , the reference scale for demanding collectors.
