How did this Renault end up being rolled?
Mark was kind enough to email over a selection of interesting old photographs. Among them are two that show a badly damaged Renault tourer, registration KU 5585, left to its own devices alongside an unidentified motor racing circuit. Other than the Shell X-100 Motor Oil banner in the background, there are few other clues as to the location. Maybe the double-decker bus parked in the background, perhaps used for commentary duties, will aid the identification of the circuit? The presence of the Shell Oils sign points to this being a scene from the 1950s, despite the car being somewhat older - 1924/1925, and first registered in Bradford.
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Virtually every panel appears to be dented. The windscreen surround has taken a hit, while the front wings,
the distinctive "coal scuttle" bonnet, and the running boards, are all out of shape. Both spare wheels, one fitted to either side of the scuttle, have been torn away and dumped on the rear seat. Could it have rolled while taking part in a competitive event? There are no racing numbers on the car anywhere, but it is feasible that it was taking part in a vintage, VSCC-type, event when disaster struck. Which model of Renault is it? Certain features point to it being a 40CV NM type, although it could be the smaller 18CV tourer, or "torpedo".
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The back end of the Renault doesn't look much happier either. Crumpled coachwork is again much in evidence, while the damage to the rim of the
steering wheel can be clearly seen. Again there are no real clues as to the location of the two photographs, perhaps the tent in the background rings a bell with someone? There's no record of any car registered as KU 5585 still being on the road, so chances are this sad old car was broken for parts or scrapped entirely. If anyone recognises the car, or knows who the driver may have been, please let me know. My thanks to Mark for sharing these photos, both found at a car boot sale apparently.
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Return to Page 18 in the photographic archive, or visit the main index here. A smaller Renault tourer from the same era (early 1920s) may be found on this page of the site, while over here is a period snapshot of a very large Renault also requiring id.
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