Renault Parisian
1934 Renault TN4B 'Autobus Parisien' Chassis no. 485562 Engine no. 3354 The company, founded in 1898 and which would become France's largest car manufacturer, started modestly enough with a single prototype featuring a 1 hp De Dion engine. From the very beginning, Renault's engineering was of the highest quality. In addition to cars, Renault also produced taxis, buses, and commercial vehicles in the years leading up to the First World War, and during the hostilities, it expanded into ammunition, military aircraft, and armored vehicles. By the end of the war, this diversification had ensured that Renault had developed into the largest manufacturing company in France. The commercial chassis of the Renault TN, introduced in 1929, was powered by a 5.883cc four-cylinder petrol engine producing 58 hp, which was good for a top speed of 40 km/h. The driver's nephew recalls that this TN4B bus was operated by the Société des Docks Ardennais in Charleville-Mézieres, France, until 1970.
1934 Renault TN4B 'Autobus Parisien'
Chassis No. 485562
Engine no. 3354
The company, founded in 1898 and destined to become France's largest car manufacturer, began modestly enough with a single prototype featuring a 1 hp De Dion engine. From the very beginning, Renault's engineering was of the highest quality. In addition to cars, Renault produced taxis, buses, and commercial vehicles in the years leading up to the First World War, and during the hostilities, it expanded into ammunition, military aircraft, and armored vehicles. By the end of the war, this diversification had ensured that Renault had developed into France's largest manufacturing enterprise.
The Renault TN commercial chassis, introduced in 1929, was powered by a 5.883cc four-cylinder petrol engine producing 58 hp, good for a top speed of 40 km/h.
The driver's nephew remembers that this TN4B bus was operated in Charleville-Mézieres, France, by the Société des Docks Ardennais until 1970. The vehicle was then sold to a Renault agency that closed in 2013. The bus has therefore had only two owners from new.
This TN4B "Parisien" bus with its rear platform with direct access is one of the oldest surviving legendary buses that were so typical of Parisian street scenes before the Second World War and up to the 60s.
This bus is still equipped with its very rare original interior; seats, bell, enamelled plates with passenger markings, etc.
An official French "Fiche d'Identification du Véhicule" issued by the French Ministry of the Interior accompanies this lot, which is offered for preservation or restoration and is sold strictly as viewed.
The bus was purchased in 2015 and subsequently taken to the company Dijkhof in Achterveld, a high-quality restorer of classic cars. The bus remained there for 8 years, during which time the entire mechanics—engine, brakes, gearbox, chassis, and bodywork—were overhauled and restored. We found the original place name signs restored and mounted, found original seats ready-made and installed them, and fitted all rear benches with leather.