Renault 1929 RY1 Monasix

3 minute(s) of a 217 minute read

Hello Terry

Here I stand to be corrected but during the late 1920s there was considerable interchange or sharing of components. Particularly between the two smaller Renault models NN1/2 and RY-RY1. The Chassis side rails, springs, front axle, brakes, gearbox, dynastart and much of the body work and hardware, lights, instruments & etc. In theory I could have just as easily restored my car as a four cylinder 950cc, 6CV NN2. This would have ended up as an even more underpowered and breathless little car. While I am interested to some degree in "originallity" I believe that the excessive weight imposed on these little cars was to no small degree responsible for their early demise. As an example; I have just weighed the single piece of steel pressing that makes up the bulkhead or fire wall. It weighs no less than 16 pounds! It will be replaced by a similar sized piece of Aluminium sheet weighing considerably less and once painted and largely covered, will be indistinguishable from the original. As in the past, not everyone will either like or even approve of my work. All I can say is that in my own way I am saving a piece of history! While I will not pretend for one moment that it is original, the mechanical components will be exactly as those that left the factory in 1929. The car will NOT be a "hot-rod" but it will be as it could well have been, if built by any one of a number of specialist coachworks in the period. Above all it will be DRIVABLE and FUN to drive. Finally as our Muslim friends are wont to say "God Willing" I will enjoy driving it. It will NOT be equipped with special tiedown loops for securing it in a trailer. On completion, it is my intention to take it back to France and to drive it in the same way that we drive the 1934 Lagonda; touring and visiting friends. Unless I am mistaken, that was one of the original purposes of our cars. I doubt that anyone buying a car new in 1929, bought it for the expressed purpose of placing it in a "collection" or towing it around the countryside in a trailer to exhibit in 'shows".

Good grief!

Bernie j.

Bonjour Fossoyeur

Je apprécierais vos commentaires re ci-dessus.

Bj.

2-15-2015

"It never rains but it pours" Is one of those old Australian expressions. 

I have only just paid for the New Zealand motor and it has yet to arrive in Australia when I receive information of another, far more complete motor advertised on the French LeBoncoin website. A simple translation is "the Good Corner", ie where you are likely to find all sorts of treasure. The main problem is that it is very difficult for people living outside France to shine a light into the more dusty recesses of this corner but I am extremely fortunate in having a small group of French, Vintage Renault Enthusiasts (Renault d'Avant Guerre) who are prepared to make some enquiries for me. Anybody interested in the bewildering array of Veteran, Vintage and Classic Renaults it is worth looking at www.les-renault-d-avant-guerre.com/.

Bj.