1924 Renault NN Phaeton – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022

The Renault NN marked the start of Renault’s era as a mass-market brand, supported by Louis Renault’s legacy as an inventor and industrial strategist. With nearly 150,000 units produced between 1924 and 1930, the Renault NN played a central role in shaping both the company’s future and the everyday automotive landscape of interwar France.

Technical Details:

The Renault NN was engineered as a conventional yet well-balanced mid-range car for the 1920s, reflecting Renault’s shift toward large-scale production. It featured a front-mounted inline four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 951 cc. Power output ranged from 15 to 17 horsepower, depending on the year and specification, allowing the car to reach a top speed of approximately 70 km/h. This level of performance placed the Renault NN squarely within the expectations of its class, offering sufficient speed for both urban traffic and longer intercity travel of the period.

The drivetrain followed a classic layout, with power transmitted to the rear wheels. This front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration aligned with the technical principles that Louis Renault had promoted since the company’s earliest years, notably through the use of a driveshaft rather than chains or belts. The body was constructed from steel sheet metal, emphasizing durability and suitability for series production. Available in several body styles—including torpedo, limousine, and coupé—the Renault Nshared a common mechanical foundation across variants. With a production run of around 150,000 units, the Renault NN demonstrated that the brand could reliably manufacture and distribute technically consistent vehicles at scale, marking a clear departure from Renault’s earlier focus on smaller production volumes.

• Manufacturer: Renault
• Model name: Renault NN (also known as 6 CV)
• Year of manufacturing: 1924–1930

Design:

From a design standpoint, the Renault NN balanced brand identity with practicality. Renault had long understood the importance of a recognizable corporate design, and the Renault NN carried forward this philosophy. Its distinctive radiator and grille design ensured that the car was immediately identifiable as a Renault, continuing a visual tradition established before the First World War. This strong front-end identity set Renault apart from many contemporaries and reinforced brand recognition on increasingly crowded roads.

In terms of proportions, the Renault NN was a true mid-size car. At around 3.5 meters in length, it was noticeably larger than competitors such as the Citroën 5 CV, offering more presence and versatility. The availability of multiple body styles allowed buyers to choose between more open configurations like the torpedo and more enclosed options such as the limousine and coupé. The use of steel body panels reflected a move toward robustness and standardization, aligning design choices with manufacturing efficiency. While the design avoided excessive ornamentation, it conveyed a sense of solidity and purpose that suited its role as a practical family and everyday vehicle in 1920s France.

Historical Significance:

The Renault NN occupies a pivotal place in the company’s history. Although Louis Renault had begun building automobiles as early as 1898, Renault’s first two decades were largely defined by representative vehicles aimed at elite customers. The introduction of the NN in 1924 marked a decisive shift. It signaled the beginning of Renault’s long-standing role as a mass-market manufacturer, producing cars in large numbers for a broader segment of society.

This transition did not happen in isolation. Louis Renault himself was a central figure in early automotive history, known not only as a manufacturer but also as an inventor. Among his many patents were key developments such as the driveshaft, drum brakes, the turbocharger, and the seat belt. These innovations shaped the technical direction of Renault vehicles and the wider industry. By the time the Renault NN was introduced, Renault had already established a strong industrial base and a recognizable brand image.

The Renault NN, also referred to by its tax classification as the 6 CV, embodied these accumulated experiences in a single, accessible product. Nearly 150,000 units were built by 1930, demonstrating strong demand and confirming Renault’s ability to operate as a large-scale manufacturer. The model helped cement Renault’s position in the French automotive landscape during the interwar years.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

While the Renault NN itself is less associated with specific nicknames or media appearances, it belongs to a brand rich in historical anecdotes. Renault’s early reputation was shaped in part by highly visible public roles, such as the famous Paris taxis supplied in 1906. These vehicles later became part of national history during the First World War, when they transported troops to the front in what became known as the “Miracle of the Marne.”

The Renault NN inherited this aura of practical reliability rather than glamour. Its clear Renault identity, rooted in distinctive front-end design, made it a familiar sight on French roads. As a representative of Renault’s move toward standardized equipment and series production in the 1920s, the Renault NN became part of everyday life rather than a specialist or elite machine, reinforcing the brand’s association with dependable, broadly accessible mobility.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.

Conclusion:

The Renault NN stands as a milestone in Renault’s evolution from a manufacturer of elite automobiles to a true large-scale producer. Technically straightforward and robust, it featured a modest but capable four-cylinder engine and a classic rear-wheel-drive layout. Its design combined recognizable Renault styling with practical body options suited to a wide range of uses. Historically, the Renault NN marked the start of Renault’s era as a mass-market brand, supported by Louis Renault’s legacy as an inventor and industrial strategist. With nearly 150,000 units produced between 1924 and 1930, the Renault NN played a central role in shaping both the company’s future and the everyday automotive landscape of interwar France.