[Closed] Question about Belle-Epoque and Retro-Bolide. ??

Karl, in my opinion this model is one of the treasures of 43....

Produced by Belle Epoque in its Retro Bolide series in 1986, it's an 1898 Renault Model A Voiturette with Louis Renault himself driving. The exquisitely delicate model celebrates the launch of the first Renault, on Louis' 21st birthday.

Renault had constructed the vehicle by hand, making parts in his forge in the little house on the island of Levallois, which would later be overgrown by the ever-expanding Renault factory reaching right to the edges of the island! I think the house, or a reconstruction, is still there.

The little replica of the house is to about 1:70. The fine metal fabrication of the wires and seat of the model, which is 1:43, is remarkable. The bearded Renault figure is carefully done, and can be taken off the model and "sleep" in his own little room in the house, as shown in the picture.

Gerard Dahinden's Belle Epoque/Retro Bolide line never produced anything else like this model. Under the Belle Epoque name, they produced resin models of Voisins, Berliets and Renaults, some of them quite sought after because they hadn't been modelled by another maker. Later I think Rod Ward bought the molds and parts from this company, is that right? Models were marketed under the Rapide name in England.

This is a treasured collectors piece for me. I got my copy from local collector Dave O'Donnell, who originally bought it from good old Phil Alderman! It's a small world.

The story of Gerard Dahinden is told in David Wright's book on Resin Transport Modeling.

The Renault was in his first group of models produced from about 1976. I owned one Belle Epoque model, a '55 Talbot Lago coupe, sold long ago and since replaced by the Spark version.

Norev has made the 1899 Renault, but the wheels are very crude.

Before Norev made theirs Vitesse modeled it, I have it.

Thanks, y'all!!!