Vintage Photos Capture People Posing With Their Renault Cars From Between the 1930s and ’50s

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The Renault corporation was founded on 25 February 1899 as Société Renault Frères by Louis Renault and his brothers Marcel and Fernand. Louis was a bright, aspiring young engineer who had already designed and built several prototypes before teaming up with his brothers, who had honed their business skills working for their father’s textile firm. While Louis handled design and production, Marcel and Fernand managed the business.

People pose with their Renault cars from between the 1930s and 1950s

The first Renault car, the Renault Voiturette 1CV, was sold to a friend of Louis’ father after giving him a test ride on 24 December 1898.

In 1903, Renault began to manufacture its own engines. By 1907, a significant percentage of London and Paris taxis had been built by Renault. Renault was also the best-selling foreign brand in New York in 1907 and 1908. In 1908 the company produced 3,575 units, becoming the country’s largest car manufacturer.

Renault made itself known through succeeding in the first city-to-city races held in Switzerland, producing rapid sales growth. Both Louis and Marcel raced company vehicles, but Marcel was killed in an accident during the 1903 Paris-Madrid race.

Although Louis never raced again, his company remained very involved, including Ferenc Szisz winning the first Grand Prix motor racing event in a Renault AK 90CV in 1906.

These vintage photos from Vintage Cars & People captured people posing with their Renault cars from between the 1930s and 1950s.

A lady in a black fur-collared coat posing with a Renault Monasix on a bleak winter’s day. The car is registered in the French département of Moselle, circa 1930

A mother and her children posing with a Renault Monasix in a valley dominated by a distinctive arched bridge, possibly in the South of France. The car is registered in the city of Paris, circa 1930