Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1909 Renault Type AX 8hp Two-Seat Tourer
Estimate
£18, 000 - £22, 000
Registration No: SV 8458
Chassis No: 5X688
MOT: Exempt
Founded by Louis Renault and his brothers Marcel and Fernand in 1898, the first Renault design was a solitary 1¾hp De Dion-engined prototype, which featured a sprung rear axle which would soon be copied by many contemporaries. Large scale production was next to come from their Billancourt factory, and they would soon become the largest automobile manufacturer in France, helped by their susccesses in the great French inter-city races at the turn of the 19th Century. By 1904, Renault was producing its own multi-cylinder engines that would cement their reputation, with 1905 seeing the launch of the twin-cylinder AG.
1908 saw the launch of the Type AX, fitted with a twin-cylinder engine of 1, 060cc of 8hp that would propel itself to 35mph. The AX arrived at a time when the general public were starting to find favour with the 'horseless carriage' and Renault had ironed out many unreliability issues thanks to a simple design that also ensured ongoing maintenance was particularly easy for those with even basic mechanical knowledge. The water-cooled twin featured mechanically operated valves that were simple and robust and the three-speed gearbox was easy to master. Externally, the AX featured the famed Renault 'coal scuttle' bonnet and rear-mounted radiator, which would be a hallmark of the brand until the 1920's. The controls were particularly easy to operate, with the pedals in conventional layout (clutch, brake, accelerator left to right) and they were particularly tractable, with the selection of the upper ratio achieving pulling power right from 5mph to top speed. These endearing qualities would solidify its reputation and would see production lasting until the start of the Great War. The AX and its larger sister, the AG, found particular favour with taxi drivers in Paris, and would find fame transporting troops to the First Battle of Marne - earning them the name 'Taxi de la Marne'.
According to a note in the history file, chassis 5X688 spent much of its life in South Africa, and the first record on file is that the Veteran Renault was part of the renowned Casper Scharrichausen collection, having been previously restored. In 2000, the AX was sold by Bonhams along with other vehicles from Mr Scharrichausen’s collection and was registered as ‘SV 8458’ upon its arrival in the UK. Its first UK owner was Mr A Pownall, a long time VCC member who would keep the vehicle until 2011 when the previous owner, Mr D Locket – another VCC member, acquired it and set about conducting a full overhaul of the car. An extensive record has been kept of the works, which involved stripping the whole car back to the bare chassis and a new timber body being fabricated due to the original being a ‘bitsa’. A note from Mr Locket suggests that the Front Axle Needed replacing, so a complete replacement was made new along with the kingpins and track rod etc. The car was also fitted with an entirely new set of wooden wheels and beaded edge tyres. Mechanically, the engine was overhauled, and the clutch was re-lined with new leather. The previously fitted SU carburettor was considered to not be up to the task, so it was exchanged for a Zenith item which has aided running dramatically. Back at the rear axle, a new club-supplied crown wheel and pinion were fitted. A new electric starter and flywheel ring were also fitted to improve the whole experience of ownership.
After the car was mechanically gone through, next was for the cosmetics and the car was painted with Tekaloid brushing enamel to keep it period, and the leather seats were reupholstered to a high standard. It would take nearly ten years for Mr Locket to complete the works and eventually, due to ill health, he decided to sell the car and the vendor acquired it in 2023 to add to his extensive collection of Veteran vehicles. Having owned the Renault and maintained it, the vendor has decided that he would like to pass it on, only because the recent acquisition of a pre-1905 De Dion Bouton is taking up most of his time and space whilst he prepares it for the London to Brighton run.
Described by the vendor as being ‘very good’ all round and ready to use, ‘SV 8458’ would make a perfect starter Veteran and is eligible for VCC events such as the Creepy Crawly run.
