1924 Renault NN Berline

Registration no. DS 8895 Chassis no. 162477

Odometer reading: TBA
MOT Expiry: Exempt

*Recently restored Renault NN
*Immaculate condition
*Large history file
*Restoration featured in The Automobile (October 2020)

The NN was first presented at the 1924 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris as the successor for Types KJ and MT. This little Renault is typical of the everyday motor car in France in the 1920s and 30s. Many NNs were used as taxis in towns and cities around the country: this model is believed to have originally served as a Paris Taxi. From 1904 until 1930 Renault favoured placing the radiator behind the engine using a flywheel with vanes to provide the cooling air. In this way they could provide a much smoother and pleasing outline to the bonnet. These early Renaults with 'coal scuttle' bonnets with twin radiators either side of the engine gave them a distinctive Art Deco appearance.

Registered DS 8895 this car was imported from Belgium in 1989. Its first colour was yellow and the body unusually only has doors on the near side, very useful for a taxi as the passengers can only get out safely on the kerb side.

The restoration was completed by Classic Cars of Bath between 2015 and 2017. The chassis was cleaned and painted, the springs were checked, cleaned and re-greased. The Hartford shock absorbers were rebuilt. The four-wheel brakes had new brake linings. The steering wheel was recovered. A new bulkhead was made together with a new petrol tank by Concept Racing. The body frame was rebuilt by Sowerby Ash Framing (keeping as much of the original wood as possible). A previous owner had painted the car white for a family wedding, and when the bodywork was repaired it was resprayed "pistachio green", in keeping with the Art Deco style.

The car was then driven to Pritchard's coach trimmers and the original front leather seats were repaired. The rear seats were covered in Bedford Cord. The window-pulls in leather (like a train carriage window) were refurbished. New headlining and carpets were also fitted.

Michael Ware, The Automobile (October 2020), reported on the restoration for his final Back on the Road and was taken round the airfield at Bicester. The car has been used around Bath and Bristol and campaigned in the VSCC Light Car & Edwardian Section Welsh events in 2018 and 2019 – around the hills of Radnor Forest and Wye Valley. A quantity of spares including engines and axles supplied from a Renault Freres club member are available by separate negotiation. Although not required, the car passed the MOT test in 2019 (expired 2020). Included in the sale are various owners' and workshop manuals. A photographic record of the 2015-17 restoration is available.