loads of vans
1000 KG
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REINVIGORATING
REINVIGORATING
At the end of WW2, with a view to equipping France, the Pons plan aimed to assess needs and break tasks between the various French industrialists. Renault was selected for the “1 000/1 400 kg” programme, which would give rise to the launching of a new Renault “1 000 kg” commercial vehicle. It would quickly be very popular and become the best-selling van in France in the 1950s.
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:quality(80))
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spirit
STAR ON
MARKETPLACES
STAR ON
MARKETPLACES
In 1945, Renault 1 000 kg revived the van. After the war, this van with a short wheelbase (made for nifty manoeuvrability) would be a familiar sight on French roads, helping merchants and tradespeople resume normal business life. It was indeed well equipped: sturdy and known for tolerating overloads without flinching, it would become the indispensable tool for tradespeople.
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interior
STOCKING UP
STOCKING UP
Renault 1 000 kg would witness a new feature: while diesel engines used to be meant for heavy-duty vehicles, Renault 1 000 kg would be the first van to offer such an engine to the general public (although for a limited number of units). With a bodywork featuring a wooden frame (for the first models), Renault 1 000 kg also had a rigid axle and steel backbone chassis, for robustness. At first, it had an engine meant for Renault Primaquatre.
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original soundtrack
LISTEN
TO THIS
PLAYLIST
LISTEN
TO THIS
PLAYLIST
Renault 1 000 kg, was emblematic of France getting back on its feet.
archives
THE ALL-ROUNDER
THE ALL-ROUNDER
Initially as 1 000 kg versions, then in 1949 as 1 400 kg, this Renault van would be christened Voltigeur (1 000 kg) and Goélette (1 400 kg) in 1956. Both versions were followed by Galia (2 500 kg) in 1959. Under those names, the van would be available in a number of versions, including a 4x4 version (by engineering company Sinpar), adopted in no time by adventurous drivers, but also the army and ambulance drivers. Besides, speaking of versatility, this van was also known as the “paddy wagon” when used by the police or gendarmerie.
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style
TIMELESS BODY
STYLE
TIMELESS BODY
STYLE
What with its large wheels, short wheelbase, and, above all, its coachwork featuring a frame still in wood for the first models, the Renault 1 000 kg van made a statement with a very recognisable body style. Visually, the radiator grille of Renault 1 000 kg already used the horizontal slats still characteristic today of the Renault light commercial vehicle range.
exploits
OFF THE
BEATEN TRACK
OFF THE
BEATEN TRACK
As a result of its outstanding robustness, Renault 1 000 kg was widely adopted to crisscross African tracks, and supply the Bouaké market (Côte d’Ivoire) for example. Among other adventures, that of Albert Mahuzier (who would become a globetrotter icon), who crossed the African continent (Paris, Sahara, French Equatorial Africa, Belgian Congo, Kenya) in 1952 with his wife and 9 children aboard three 1 000 kg vans. He brought back several films from those family trips, including “A la poursuite des gorilles” (Looking for gorillas).
technical features
90,000 UNITS MANUFACTURED
90,000 UNITS MANUFACTURED
- production
Renault 1 000 kg was the best-selling van in the 1950s.
About 45,000 units of the 1 000 kg vans (and Voltigeur) and 28,000 units of the 1 400 kg vans (and Goélette) were manufactured. This is in addition to the 17,000 Galions.
- Performance and engine
- Max speed: 85 kph
- 4 cylinders inline
- 2,383 cc - 48 hp
- dimensionsLength 4.54 m (4.80 m for the extended version)Width 1.93 mHeight 2.30 m
- architecture
- Van with cab over
- rear-wheel drive
- robust, it was powered by the sideways-mounted engine introduced ten years earlier on Primaquatre.
- coachwork featuring a wooden frame for the initial models
- short wheelbase made for nifty manoeuvrability
- available in a 26-cm extended version with rear overhang
- rigid axle
- steel backbone chassis
The Originals Store
LOADS OF OPTIONS
LOADS OF OPTIONS
Find loads of ideas to help you find the perfect gift for fans of Renault and commercial vehicles, such as the 1 000 kg van
heritage
A FAMOUS
SUCCESSOR
A FAMOUS
SUCCESSOR
In 1958, Renault then launched the now famous Estafette. It replaced the “1 000 kg” van and represented a significant breakthrough. Indeed, Estafette was a front-wheel drive, a first for Renault!
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