The Jaguar E-Type isn’t the only classic about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Yes, we’re talking about the Renault 4 – not only the best-selling French car ever, but also the third best-selling model in automotive history. And if that’s not worth celebrating, we don’t know what is…

The Renault 4 came about when Renault president Pierre Dreyfus announced that he wanted to launch a ‘blue jeans’ car – a versatile, inexpensive vehicle with worldwide appeal. And after five years of development, the front-wheel drive Renault 4 finally hit the streets in 1961. It went on to be a major hit, with more than eight million produced during a 31-year career. And its success was truly global, with sales in most major automotive markets as well as production (or assembly) facilities in an astonishing 27 countries – including Australia, South Africa, Chile and the Philippines.

To celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary, Renault is planning a long list of important events, including the Modulo 4 Exhibition – which will be visiting a number of different automotive venues in 2011, from the Retromobile classic car show in Paris to the Autoworld Museum in Brussels. And the 4L International meeting (now in its third year) will enable fans from across Europe to gather in Thenay, Loir-et-Cher, on July 15-17 to really celebrate the R4’s half-century in style.

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