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Chassis:
One of the ten examples ordered by Willy K. Vanderbilt, this example was discovered in 1946 in remarkably original and complete condition by James Melton in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It was lightly restored and road registered with the somewhat controversial vanity license plate 'FROG'. The Renault was then acquired by racer William Spear Jr. and displayed for some years in Briggs Cunningham's collection. In 1957, it was acquired by Tony Hulman for the Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame Museum for a staggering $7,500. Here it remained for nearly 60 years, until it joined the stable of a prominent American collector. He had the Vanderbilt Renault recommissioned in 2016, during which time the gearbox was rebuilt and the car re-painted. It was then shown at Pebble Beach in 2017, where it completed the Tour d'Elegance and won its class as well as two special awards. Early in 2020, it was consigned to the Bonhams Amelia Island sale. At the time of writing, the individual histories of the cars are still being researched. Judging from the large fuel-tank and oversized filler neck, which is only found on this car, it could very well be that chassis 8938 was the very car driven to victory in the 1907 Brighton Beach 24 hours race by Louis Raffolovitch.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1907 |
| Engine number |
225 |
| Appearances |
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Type AI 35/45CV Vanderbilt Racer
