Vehicle Description
Louis Renault, an aspiring engineer who had become bored with his
work in the button-making business, built his first motorcar in a
small workshop behind his father's home in 1898. He designed the
chassis for his tiny voiturette himself, built it out of tubular
steel, and fitted a De Dion Bouton engine of 1 � horsepower. The
car worked quite well, the tiny 43" wheelbase chassis featuring the
engine up front and a clever shaft and bevel gear arrangement to
drive the rear axle. Louis teamed up with his brothers Marcel and
Ferdinand who had both gained experience working in their father's
textile business and in 1899, Soci�t� Renault Fr�res was
established, with Louis handling the engineering and his brothers
the business. Their first car, a 1CV Voiturette was sold to a
friend of Renault's father - thus planting the seed of what would
become one of the greatest French marques in history and a global
powerhouse. Renault would go on to produce a vast array of
motorcars in the early 20th century. Motorsport competition was
always a priority; however the company did not limit itself to
building strictly high-performance machines. Renault would supply
cars to virtually every facet of French society. From taxis to
coachbuilt touring cars to grand-prix winners, Renault has built it
all. By 1907, Renault had become the largest automobile
manufacturer in France, and experienced prolific growth with hugely
popular models such as the AX, a twin-cylinder light two-seater.
The semi-commercial AG would become the standard for Parisian taxis
for years. Following World War I, the NN (also known as the 6 CV
for its tax class) would appear as one of a series of models
intended to replace the AX. Powered by a four-cylinder, side valve
engine of just 950 cubic centimeters (about 58 cubic inches) the
engine the NN proved to be an equally popular middle-class family
car. Renault touted the reliability of the NN when, in 1927 George
Estienne became the first to make a solo crossing of the Sahara
Desert by automobile, and when one example was tested for over 200
continuous hours at the Circuit du Mirama where it covered 10,000
miles. This delightful Renault NN 6 CV is rather unusual in that it
has been fitted from new with this coachbuilt, open drive limousine
(also known as a Town Car) body by Henri Labourdette of Paris. The
NN was typically a hard working family saloon, so this compact but
well-proportioned limousine is somewhat of an anomaly. According to
Mr. Bob Sullivan of Olympia, Washington who acquired the little
Renault in the 1990s, the car was designed to be used by a
Hollywood Studio to showcase child stars when transporting them to
publicity events. We have yet to confirm this, though the car's
diminutively proportioned yet elegantly styled coachwork certainly
lend a good deal of credibility to the story. Labourdette bodies
were known for their quality and creative design, and this car is
certainly no exception. The standard Renault "shovel nose" front
end is retained, but from the scuttle back it is all Labourdette.
The driver's compartment is open, with a tall but delicate nickel
frame windscreen. The passenger compartment is lavishly decorated
with wicker cane panels, a nickel roof rack (adorned with a
wonderful period wicker suitcase), nickel carriage lamps, and a
split divider window that features two separate opening panes. It
retains a certain "people's car" charm as the carriage windows open
and close with simple straps rather than complex regulators, and
the passenger compartment, trimmed in tan fabric is elegant and
comfortable yet simple. The quality of the presentation is very
good, with the older restoration performed by Hillcrest Motor
Company of Los Angeles having taken on a moderate patina. It is not
over restored, and the paintwork remains in very good order, with
minimal blemishes and good quality detailing. Caning on the rear
panels is excellent, with no signs of peeling or damage. The maroon
body is accented with black fenders and where most NN models
featured disc wheels, this car is fitted with unusual wire wheels -
presumably selected to better complement the expensive Labourdette
coachwork. In mechanical terms, this Renault is in very good order,
with the engine running well and nicely presented in the engine
bay, in keeping with the mellowed nature of the restoration. It
could easily be made into an enjoyable companion for casual
touring, and would certainly be one of a scant few to grace
American roads. The intriguing history, rare and finely crafted
coachwork, and copious amounts of charm combine to make this
adorable Renault NN a most desirable collector piece.