To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 6 - 7 March 2020.
Estimate:
$50,000 - $75,000
- Popular iteration of the 6 CV
- Delightful town-car coachwork
- Lavishly appointed, including wire wheels
Renault debuted the now famous line of 6 CV in 1922, beginning with
the KJ type, followed by the MT and the NN in 1924. The NN proved
to be a popular middle-class family car powered by a four-cylinder
951 cc side-valve engine. In 1927 an NN piloted by Lieutenant
George Estienne famously drove 18,000 kilometers in 36 days across
the Sahara and French West Africa, reportedly with only one spare
part and a can of oil.
This delightful Renault NN is rather unusual in that it has been
fitted from new with this coachbuilt town-car body by Henri
Labourdette of Paris. 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 and protected by a nickel-frame
windscreen. The passenger compartment is lavishly decorated with
cane-work panels, nickel roof rack, nickel carriage lamps, and a
split divider window that features two separate opening panes. The
passenger compartment, trimmed in tan fabric, is elegant and
comfortable.
The NN presents beautifully, 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. Cane work on the rear panels is excellent, with no signs
of peeling or damage. The maroon body is accented with black
fenders. Most NN models featured disc wheels; this car is fitted
with wire wheels-presumably selected to better complement the
expensive Labourdette coachwork.
The rare and finely crafted coachwork make this attractive Renault
NN a most desirable piece for any collection.
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1922.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am20.
