As the third best-selling model in automobile history (counting Cars no longer in production) and the best-selling French car ever across the world with sales in excess of eight million units in more than 100 countries, the Renault 4 will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011 with a long list of events planned in Europe.
La Renault 4 was the fruit of a concept. In 1956, Pierre Dreyfus, then president of Renault, launched the notion of a "blue jeans" car.
Like the now-familiar article of clothing which is worn the world over, he wanted to produce a versatile, inexpensive car with a worldwide calling which could match the changes in society that were being observed as the 1960s approached.
Following a five-year incubation period, the Renault 4, the make's first front-wheel drive passenger car, was unveiled to the Press before going on display at the 1961 Paris Motor Show.
A van and three saloon versions were launched simultaneously: the R3, which was dropped from the catalogue the following year, the R4 and the R4L (the "L" standing for luxury), soon to become the household name for a model that lost no time in finding a place for itself in the French public's hearts.
Its unrivalled interior, low running costs and ability to adapt to all types of use made it an instant hit. Just six years after its launch, Renault 4 production exceeded the million mark, and other records were broken as the car reached a total production figure of 8 135 424 in the course of its 31-year career.
The Renault 4 was a global success and was produced or assembled in no fewer than 27 countries, including South Africa.
During its life span, the Renault 4 was made in several different versions, including a van, a four-wheel drive vehicle and a cabriolet.
In 1992, a numbered special edition farewell version - "Bye-Bye" - was released to salute the incredible success of the model, which continued to be manufactured in small numbers in Slovenia and Morocco until 1994.