Bringing Back the Renault 4 Plein Air: The Renault 4 Plein Air was a charming expression of the carefree spirit of the late 1960s. More than half a century later, Coco Plage is bringing this exceptionally rare French beach car back to life.
Some cars are remembered for their racing achievements, others for their technological innovations. And then there are those that simply make people smile. The Renault 4 Plein Air belongs firmly to the latter category.
With its open sides, folding roof and unmistakable Renault 4 silhouette, it captured an era when driving was as much about enjoying the sunshine as reaching a destination. Today, finding an original is remarkably difficult. Fortunately, Coco Plage has set out to recreate this little piece of French motoring history.
A French summer icon
The story began in 1968, when Renault introduced an unconventional variation of its enormously successful Renault 4. Developed with French specialist Sinpar, the Plein Air dispensed with conventional doors, side windows and a fixed roof. A simple folding canvas top offered modest protection from the weather, while chains across the door openings completed its minimalist construction.
The concept was wonderfully straightforward: take an affordable, practical small car and turn it into something designed for leisure, holidays and sunny coastal roads.
The Plein Air remained in production for only a short period. Renault quotes a total of just 563 examples, making it one of the rarest production derivatives of the Renault 4.
Decades later, the majority have disappeared. Coco Plage estimates that perhaps only 30 to 40 percent of the original production has survived, although the precise number of surviving cars is difficult to establish.
Coco Plage: The revival of a forgotten classic
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Around two years ago, a new project was launched with an ambitious objective: to reproduce the original Renault 4 Plein Air as faithfully as possible and make its distinctive driving experience accessible to a new generation of enthusiasts.
The result is Coco Plage, a company dedicated to recreating the rare French beach car using the familiar Renault 4 as its foundation.
Rather than simply removing the roof and doors of an existing car, the project pays particular attention to the details that distinguished the original Plein Air. Its characteristic radiator grille, steering wheel, dashboard, instruments and open bodywork are all central to the recreation.
A documented Coco Plage build completed in 2025 illustrates the work involved. Based on a 1986 Renault 4, the car was reconstructed by Scuderia Azzurra in Portugal. Its body was modified and reinforced, mechanical components were overhauled, and the interior received new upholstery and period-style instruments.
The result combines the unmistakable character of the original Plein Air with the possibilities offered by a carefully rebuilt classic car.
Faithful to the original, made to be enjoyed
The appeal of the Coco Plage lies in its attention to the details that made the original special. Its open body, minimalist cabin and uncomplicated mechanical character are a reminder of an entirely different approach to motoring.
At the same time, individual recreations can incorporate discreet practical improvements. The documented 2025 example, for instance, features front disc brakes and a concealed Bluetooth audio system.
Importantly, a Coco Plage is a faithful recreation rather than an original Sinpar-built Plein Air. The distinction preserves the historical identity of the surviving cars while offering enthusiasts an opportunity to experience a vehicle that has become exceptionally difficult to acquire.
According to its founder, Coco Plage may currently be the only company worldwide specialising in reproducing the original Renault 4 Plein Air in this way.
A little more sunshine on the road
The attraction of the Plein Air has never been about horsepower or outright performance. Its charm comes from simplicity: the sound of a modest four-cylinder engine, the wind passing through the open cabin and the pleasure of discovering a beautiful road without being in a hurry.
That is precisely what Coco Plage is bringing back. Not simply a classic Renault, but a way of enjoying motoring that seems particularly appealing in an increasingly complicated automotive world.
Whether parked outside a Mediterranean café, following a coastal road or exploring the countryside, the little Renault is a reminder that driving pleasure doesn’t have to be measured in speed.
Coco Plage gives a rare and much-loved design another opportunity to be enjoyed, preserving the spirit of the original while creating new stories for the years ahead.
Discover more at www.coco-plage.de or on Instagram:@lacocoplage
