1900 Renault Type C 3CV Rear-Entrance Tonneau

Registration no. AR 20 Chassis no. C117

Footnotes

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. From the outset Renault engineering was of the highest quality, as exemplified by this De Dion-engined Type C, which is typical of the first generation of Renault cars. Introduced at the 1900 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, and built alongside the existing Type B, the Type C (Renault's first four-seater) differed from its forebear by virtue of its 400cc water-cooled engine, which was rated at 3CV by the French taxation system compared with the air-cooled Type B's 2CV. But unlike the majority of its competitors, which favoured a front-mounted radiator, the Type C carried two radiators mounted one either side of the engine. More powerful external contracting band brakes were another advance, but the Type C retained the B's soon-to-be-outdated tiller steering. Such was the pace of technological development at this time that only 137 Type Cs were built.

This early De Dion-engined Renault was brought to the UK in the early 1960s having been on display in Jackie Pichot's museum in Clères, France. The car was bought by Renault UK and has been a regular entrant in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run for many years. The Renault has also participated in other events suitable for Veterans, such as the VCC's 'Creepy Crawly'.

While owned by Renault UK, 'AR 20' was entrusted into the keeping of Mr Jim Worsley. During this time Renault UK was responsible for the car's upkeep, which included repainting, new tyres and a new seat. A replacement cylinder block was fitted in October 2011 and we are advised that it has been machined to take valves of the original size and cannot be machined to allow larger valves to be fitted.

In 2009 the Type C went to London for the unveiling of the Renault Megane at the French Chamber of Commerce, and in 2010 was displayed on the Renault Owners' Club's stand at the NEC. The car has also participated in numerous events in Europe.

Restored in 2016, this charming French Veteran is offered with a history file containing driving and maintenance instruction; entry paperwork for the London-Brighton Run; FIVA Identity Card; a V5C Registration Certificate; Jim Worsley's notes, etc.