First owned by the Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V of Bahawalpur
1925 Renault 40CV Type MC Limousine

• Unique specification
• 9.1-litre six-cylinder engine
• Present ownership since circa 2004
• Last driven in January 2025

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 subsequent models such as that seen here. Other notable features included revised rear suspension arrangements for improved stability, and foot-pedal operation for the rear brakes.

A Renault 40CV won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1925, while in October 1926 a modified NM equipped with streamlined single-seater bodywork set a new 24-hour world speed record at Montlhéry, covering 2,590 miles at an average speed of 108.12mph. In its originally intended role as luxury limousine, the 40CV served as official transport for French Presidents Alexandre Millerand and Gaston Doumergue between 1920 and 1928.

Leaving the factory on 10th July 1925, 100 years ago, this magnificent French automobile was custom-built by Renault and coachbuilders Windover to the order of the Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V (September 1904 - May 1966). He was was the twelfth and final Nawab (ruler) of the state of Bahawalpur from February 1907 to October 1955, and then as a titular figure until his death in 1966 (Bahawalpur is now in modern-day Pakistan). Built in right-hand drive form for use within what was then the British Empire, this is thus a unique vehicle and very likely the sole survivor of its kind.

The Renault is one of many vehicles from the Nawab Sidiq Abbasi's collection, which included a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer by Barker (86CW) and Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer (41LK), again by Barker and later an armoured car. The web page devoted to the cars owned by the Nawab and his family lists no fewer than 70 cars, a selection of which, including this Renault, was auctioned in 2004.

A press cutting on file from the Karachi newspaper Metro (18th April 2016) reports on the Classic Car Show organised by the Classic Car Club of Pakistan in which the Renault is mentioned: "This was the oldest car at the show, a special extra-long... Renault limousine that has done 4,000 miles and belonged to the Nawab of Bahawalpur".

Of great cultural value, this Renault is part of the history of the pre-partition subcontinent era. For the past two decades it has formed part of the private collection of one family, connoisseurs of important motor cars and motor racing. According to our vendor, the car has been kept in great condition for its age, and was last driven in January of this year before being shipped to the UK. This magnificent Renault Limousine is described by our vendor as mechanically in good order for a 100-year-old vehicle.