Chassis No. 588628

Estimate:

€85.000-€95.000

AUCTION DATE:

To be auctioned on

Sunday, August 12, 2012

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Although not as long-lived as the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost or the Locomobile 48, Renaults 40 CV ranks among the eponymous giants in motoring history. Launched in 1911 as the Type CG, it soldiered on through several model designations. Finally retiring in 1928 as the Type NM, it was replaced by the 7.1-litre, straight eight Reinastella. Initially powered by a 7,541 cc side-valve six, the 40 CV had a 3,743 mm wheelbase and weighed 1,750 kg as a chassis alone.

As if that werent enough, the engine was enlarged to 9,120 cc after World War I and was to remain this way, with the anachronistic rear-mounted radiator and coal-scuttle bonnet, to the end. Front-wheel brakes were standardised from 1922, at which time the bonnet line was straightened to fully conceal the radiator.

Although Renault had participated vigorously in motor sport prior to the war, afterwards, the 40 CV was the sole competitor, winning the 1925 Monte Carlo Rally and setting records at Montlh©ry with both open and closed models.

This Type NM 40 CV coup© de ville was discovered in the United States prior to its acquisition by the Aalholm Automobil Museum. It is fitted with a handsome coup© de ville body by Kellner Fr¨res, Successeurs. Established in 1903 as G. Kellner & Ses Fils, Kellner Fr¨res operated in Paris and Boulogne-sur-Seine through the early days of World War II, in the end, subcontracting to the aero industry. Specialising in distinguished coachwork, the firm often built on Hispano-Suiza chassis, as well as the senior Renault models.

This Type NM 40 CV Doup© de Ville is very stately in red and black. The passenger compartment is upholstered in dark beige velour with a matching headliner and is very tidy. There are blinds on all windows.