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Renault Type A - 1899-1900 | 
| On christmas eve, 1898, louis renault drove to a paris restaurant in an automobile of his own making. The friends he met were so enthusiastic that the following year he began producing this car as the first renault. | Specifications performance
Top speed of more than 30 mph
engine typedrivetrain: Single-cylinder, with overhead inlet valve and side exhaust valve
displacement 273 cc (0.3 l)
power rating 1.75 hp
transmission 3-speed manual + reverse
chassis: Elliptic leaf-spring suspension; Drum brakes; About 550 lbs. |
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| | About vehicle
Revolutionary direct drive
renault built the type a in a workshop on the grounds of the family home in billancourt, a suburb of paris. The small one-cylinder engine came from de dion-bouton and the transmission gears were cut elsewhere, but otherwise the car was totally his. Most revolutionary was the direct drive from the engine to the top gear of the transmission. This innovation allowed quieter and more efficient performance. Also unusual was his final drive by propeller shaft rather than chains or belts.
proven in road races
renault brothers was established in february 1899 with capital from louiss brothers, fernand and marcel. The car was exhibited in the june paris auto show, and in august louis and marcel were first and second, respectively, in the paris-trouville amateur drivers cup race. Four days later louis won the paris-ostend race in the
small-car class, with marcel third. In october louis won the paris-rambouillet-paris race, with marcel second. About 60 type as were made in 1899 and about 180 type as and bs in 1900.
Only six feet long, very light and equipped with a small one-cylinder engine, the type a was the first renault automobile. |
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