Hello and welcome to my web site. My name is Derek Flavell and I run a small business primarily involved in servicing, repairing and restoring Renault 4s'. My aim is to keep as many R4s' on the road as possible, provided the dreaded "tin worm" has not taken too much of a hold.

Modern cars seem to be getting bigger and heavier each year and, as technology grows, the average person will not be able to touch their cars any more. R4s' come from a different era and are not disposable or wasteful like their modern counterparts. They are typically French and have a character all their own. As time goes by I am sure they will become a genuine practical classic, and will be much appreciated by owners and passers by alike.
Around town is where the R4 really excels. It is a willing little work horse and is nippy and nimble on the school run, or the supermarket trip, swallowing most loads with ease. The steering and clutch are light, and visibility and economy are excellent. Motorway journeys can be harder work, and I can fit some different engine options that can give your R4 a new level of performance-from extra torque and top speed right up to a fire-breathing monster, the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing!

I am hoping to show you some pictures of the various projects that I have been involved with. First is my F6 van shown at the top of this page.This is my second van and I was using it on a daily basis to commute from Kent to London, but life in the slow lane was becoming hard work . I replaced it with a normally aspirated R5 Gordini engine and gearbox but kept the original R4 gear linkage and dash-mounted gearchange.  This meant that I no longer had to grind up big hills behind lorries and coaches, instead I could sit in the outside lane like all the other boy racers. I now use this van as a workhorse to carry parts and equipment to and from the garage in London.

When not using the van I commute in a 1972 Renault12 TL with a standard engine, but this may change soon!