Torpedo by Wilkinson
Chassis number: 17612

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.

A Renault AK 90CV driven by Ferenc Szisz was the winning automobile in the first-ever Grand Prix race in 1906.

The 1909 Renault Type AI shown here is one of the larger Renaults built, powered by a 7.5 liter, four-cylinder motor. The custom touring body was supplied by Wilkinson.