1910 Renault Type AX

The Renault company was founded in 1899 as Societe Renault Freres by the Renault brothers. The first car, a Voiturette ICV had been built and sold in December 1898.

The Renault brothers - Louis Marcel and Fernand - decided that their reputation could be built through motor racing and entered many European races. Both Louis and Marcel Renault raced. However, Marcel was killed in the 1903 Paris-Madrid race and although the company continued to participate in racing, Louis never raced again. Fernand retired in 1906.

The Renault company developed a deserved reputation early on for innovation. Renault built the first production closed car in 1899. This 1910 coupe is powered by a two-cylinder motor that develops seven horsepower.

The Renault Type AX was produced from 1908 through 1914. Power was from a 1060cc engine that had two cylinders and around 12 horsepower. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 55 kilometers per hour from the 750 kg vehicle.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009