1904 Renault 7hp Type T Rear-entrance Tonneau

• Discovered derelict in Toulouse, France
• An older restoration
• Engine rebuilt in 2011
• Completed the London-Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2012
• Last outing in 2018 (last run 2025)

Founded in 1898 by Louis Renault and his brothers Marcel and Fernand, 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. At a time when automobile design had yet to crystallise, Renault's front-engined, rear-drive design presaged that of the modern car, while other advanced features included wire-spoked wheels shod with the newly invented Dunlop inflatable tyre. Few changes were found necessary before the Type A was ready for presentation to the public in 1899. 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.

The single-cylinder Renault was updated annually, the Type G of 1902 featuring an 864cc water-cooled De Dion motor rated at 6hp. Twin, side-mounted radiators had been adopted when water-cooling arrived in 1900 on the Type C and these were enlarged for the Type G, which was the first model to feature Renault's so-called 'coal scuttle' bonnet, a style widely copied by other manufacturers. The largest Renault model so far, the Type G was built on a longer and wider chassis, made from heavier gauge tubing, which now relied on semi-elliptic springing instead of the fully elliptical springs favoured hitherto. By this time a circular steering wheel on an inclined column had been standardised, replacing the semi-circular control and vertical column used since production began. Six alternative final drive ratios were available, giving the car a top speed of anywhere between 19 and 33mph approximately. 1902 is also particularly noteworthy as the year the company began making its own engines, one of which powered Marcel Renault to a remarkable victory in that year's Paris-Vienna Race, defeating the larger Panhard-Levassor opposition to achieve worldwide acclaim and recognition for Renault products.

From the outset Renault engineering was of the highest quality, as exemplified by this single-cylinder 7hp Type T, which is typical of early Renault automobiles. Introduced around February 1904, the Type T superseded the previous year's Type R and would continue in production, or at least for sale, until mid-1905. The example we offer is car number '42', rated at 7CV with a 100x110mm bore/stroke and an engine capacity of 863cc. It has a three-speeds-plus reverse gearbox and a live rear axle. The rear brakes are actuated by the hand lever, while the rear-axle transmission brake is worked by the foot pedal.

Little is known of the early history of this Type T, which was rediscovered in the Toulouse area of France. It had been dismantled many decades previously, the engine used to drive a water pump and the chassis made into a trailer. When found, the only parts missing were the mudguards, bonnet, and the rear half of the body; all the other parts had been stored in a shed, including the set of lamps. The owner at this time was a Mr Ron Miles of Durrington, Salisbury, and the rebuild took approximately two years to complete. The restoration included reconstructing the body's rear section and making new mudguards. More recently, in 2011, the engine was rebuilt and now runs on battery/coil ignition.

In 2012 the Renault took part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, and since then has participated twice in the Manchester to Blackpool Car Run (2016 and 2018), the latter being its last outing. The car has been run this year and sounds fine; nevertheless, careful recommissioning will be required after a period of inactivity. Offered with a VCC Certificate of Date. Some engine spares are included in the sale.