Renault
40 CV record car (Montlhéry)

Why it matters

The 40 CV des Records was a streamlined single-seat record car built on Renault's flagship 40 CV. It set a string of speed and endurance records in 1925 and 1926 and was one of the first Renaults to wear the new diamond badge.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

History

The first version, type ML, broke several average-speed records from 1925. Its best-known record came on 9 July 1926 at Montlhéry: the 24-hour record of 4,167.578 km at an average of 173.649 km/h, driven by Garfield, Plessier and Guillon in the type NM.

The NM had a closed body of synthetic-leather panels over a wood and mesh structure, and a six-cylinder engine of more than 9,000 cc developing 150 bhp.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The record cars were single-seaters with streamlined bodywork narrower than the road 40 CV. The type NM of 1926 had a closed body of synthetic-leather over wood and mesh, while the 1925 type ML was the first version.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Renault Filante Record 2025: a name that is doubly meaningful Level A Renault Group

   • mighty inline 6-cylinder engine of over 9,000 cm3
   • of over 9,000 cm3
   • developing 150 bhp
   • average speed of 173.649 km/h

   Accessed 2026-11-12