This Renault has confused its seller, but it appears that it is a Renault NN2. If that is the case, then it can’t be a 1923 model. However, what it represents is a solid restoration project that stalled about four decades ago. If you fancy returning the French classic to its best, you will find it located in Blue Springs, Missouri, and listed for sale here on eBay. There have been an incredible 22 bids on the Renault at this stage, but this has only pushed the price along to $1,975. The reserve hasn’t been met, so there could be a little way to go on this one.

Early Renaults have an uncanny knack for confusing people, and this one appears to be no exception. The owner lists it as a 1923 NN, which is what it shows on the title. However, he then supplies a photo of the tag that confirms it to be an NN2. That means that it can’t have been built in 1923, as the NN2 didn’t go into production until 1929. So, that makes this car either a 1929 or a 1930 model.

When you start down the path of restoring a car like this Renault, it is always a massive bonus if you have a complete vehicle with which to work. That generally appears to be the case because the only component that seems to be missing is the rear bumper. Sourcing a replacement in the US might be a bit of a challenge, but we have seen a few of these classics appear here at Barn Finds, so I wouldn’t rule it out. The car’s body is in an excellent state, especially given the fact that it has been in storage for at least four decades. That suggests that the environment was close to ideal. There is no visible rust, and the panels are free from significant dings and dents. It would be tempting to treat the vehicle to a wash and polish because it might present well as a survivor. Some of the chrome will require a trip to the platers, but the glass looks to be okay.

The engine of the NN2 is guaranteed to confuse the uninitiated because their first thought is likely to revolve around the lack of a radiator for a water-cooled engine. Renault has always done things a bit differently, and in this case, the radiator is mounted behind the engine. That is why the car’s nose can look relatively narrow and why there are louvers in the sides of the hood. This engine is a 951cc flathead 4-cylinder unit, and in good health, it should be producing around 15hp. This is sent to the road via a 3-speed manual transmission. Top speed would be whatever you could wring out of it, but 40mph would be getting towards the upper limit of its capabilities. The owner says that the motor last ran in 2008, but that the clutch was slipping badly. It is worth noting that the Renault had been sitting idle for nearly 30-years before that, so coaxing it back to life after an additional 13-years might not be difficult.

Although it might not look like it in the photos that the owner supplies, the Renault’s interior is said to be complete. Someone has commenced reupholstering work, but this stalled years ago. The seats are dusty and dirty, but there are no signs of rips or tears. It would be worth the effort to clean everything because it might not need anything more than that and reassembly. The owner believes that all of the fixtures and hardware are present because there are boxes with screws, nuts, bolts, handles, and other pieces included in the sale.

There will be readers who will be put off when it comes to the prospect of restoring this Renault NN2. They are a quirky and unusual car, and they didn’t sell in large numbers in the US. That can make sourcing parts locally a challenge. However, parts remain readily available in France, and there are companies there that are willing to organize overseas shipping to potential buyers. The bidding price might be low at present, but there’s no denying that this French classic has generated some interest since being offered for sale. I suspect that it will reach its reserve, which means it will be interesting to see the final sale price.