1927 Renault NN 2 Door Coupe with Dickey Seat

In the days when KO 4010 was new, the way to deliver a knockout blow to excessive import duties on new foreign motor cars was to buy a bare chassis and clothe it in home-produced bodywork from one of the many coachbuilders who plied their trade.

While that’s unlikely to work for the latest Renault Clio (where would you start to find a chassis?) it was perfect for this 1927 Renault NN with its two door coupe and dickey seat body, believed constructed by Vincents of Bexleyheath. As far as can be determined, this is the only known NN survivor fitted with an English body.

While early ownership details are sketchy, with a suggested link to the family owning Scotney Castle in Kent, it is known that by 1967 the motor car had lain unused in Salisbury for 12 years. The motor car was rescued and revived with extensive restoration work before being used for family outings, acquiring the affection nickname “Bertie” and ownership passing from her rescuer to the vendor eight years ago.

The motor car is likely to be regarded as having star quality among enthusiasts for Renault motor cars from the inter-war years. In addition to a brief appearance in a film starring Eddie Redmayne, the motor car has been present for a bridge opening in North Dorset, and appeared at numerous shows and rallies around Dorset and Somerset – gaining best in show at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show along the way. Will you be the one who determines where Bertie appears next, mastering the steering described as “interesting on Dorset roads”?

The motor car has its original Bibendum wheels, from one-time Citroen-owner Michelin, that wear tyres and tubes fitted in 2012 when the hood was renewed. Extensive work on the four cylinder engine included remetalling the bottom end, the crankshaft being reground, the head skimmed, and the dynastart serviced. The original sidescreens are with the vehicle, as is a history file accompanied by a V5C certificate.