1907 Renault AI 35/45 Vanderbilt Racer

This car was the Ferrari Enzo of its day—exclusive, fast, beautiful, and exciting—but not really a racer

by Thor Thorson

Renault’s reputation was made in the open-road races of Europe at the turn of the 20th century, in cars built and driven by Louis Renault and his brother Marcel. Even though Marcel was killed in the 1903 Paris-Madrid race and Louis quit racing, the company itself only took a year off.

Competition was the most effective way to promote Renault’s products and demonstrate speed and reliability. In 1905, Renault built a 12.3-liter monster for Gould Brokaw’s entry into the Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island. Driven by Maurice Bernin, it did not finish, but captured the Eagle Rock, New York, hillclimb later that year.

For 1906 the ACF announced the Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France, the grand prize in automobile competition. Organized on a 103-kilometer circuit over public roads located east of Le Mans, it was held over two days, with six laps scheduled each day. Open to all comers, it was vital for competitive manufacturers. Renault rolled out a new,...