Renault Type NM 40 CV Limousine Découvrable - 1927 by Perico001 Coachwork by Henri Binder - Paris
Chassis n° 286836
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
Estimated : € 360.000 - 440.000
Founded by Louis Renault and his brothers Marcel and Fernand in 1898, the company that would become France’s biggest automobile manufacturer started humbly enough, with a solitary 1¾hp De Dion-engined prototype, the sprung rear axle of which would soon be copied by many contemporaries. Production at the Billancourt factory was soon under way on a large scale, demand for its products being enhanced by the performance of Renault cars in the great inter-city races so popular in France at the turn of the 19th Century.
From the outset Renault engineering was of the highest quality, and the arrival of multi-cylinder models really put the company on the map. By the start of the 1920s Renault’s largest model was the six-cylinder 40CV Type GX, the engine of which displaced 7½ litres and would be enlarged in 1921 to a mighty 9.1 litres for the Type NM. Other notable features included revised rear suspension arrangements for improved stability, and foot pedal operation for the rear brakes.
In 1926 the NM provided the basis for a new speed record car, intended to take back Renault’s 24-hour record, broken in September 1925 by Bentley. Using two different bodies - an open two-seater for the shorter attempt and a streamlined single-seater for the longer - the special 40CV broke the three-hour and 24-hour records, and set new best marks at 1,000 and 2,000 miles, and 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 kilometres.
Renault exported many luxury chassis to the USA in the 20th Century’s early years, including the 40CV offered here. The company’s American agency proudly described the Renault in its advertisements as ‘the car that will last forever’. Carrying imposing coachwork by Henri Binder, this 40CV was sold new in New York and is described in the factory despatch records (copy on file) as a 'Sport’ model with 'Cabriolet Pillion’ body.
Brought back to France in 2002 by Bruno Vendiesse and François du Montant, the car was then completely restored to a very high standard, the engine being rebuilt by recognised specialist Lauren Rondoni, and in 2012 was sold to the current owner. Since restoration this quite magnificent Renault has won a 2nd prize at the Chantilly concours and been judged 'most beautiful restoration’ at Zoute in 2018. Presented in exceptional condition, this rare and important example of Renault’s Vintage-era flagship is offered with an extensive history file containing a French Carte Grise and full details of the restoration. https://flic.kr/p/2gRgGCN
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