RARE RENAULTS RESCUED
An incredible Danish cache of 50 classic Renaults will be auctioned off this month. It’s thought to be one of the biggest single-marque collections of its kind in Scandinavia.
Funen island resident Anker Krarup began accumulating cars 48 years ago when he decided to buy a Renault 4CV instead of a bicycle. The rear-engined berline soon endeared itself; despite a tired engine and a broken heater, he kept the car until 1980 when a Dauphine supplanted it. Anker kept his first car alongside the Dauphine instead of trading it in and word soon spread about his growing fleet. Owners from all over Denmark began selling their Renaults to Anker when they wanted to change vehicles. Nearly five decades later, his hoard occupied several barns. The Krarup family used their Renaults as Billancourt intended, taking Anker, his wife Marianne and their boys around Europe.
Scarce Renaults arrived in threes as the years wore on. Spanning everything from 4CVs to Supercinqs (and almost every model in between) a triumvirate of Juvaquatre Dauphinoises and as many Dauphine Gordinis (among many others) attracted considerable amounts of interest when revealed. Anker also ended up with one of the earliest 4Ls in Denmark; sales did not start there until 1962, making Anker’s one of the first batch to be imported. A lone Frégate Transfluide (automatic) and 16 help bolster the line-up, accompanied by several 20s and 30s in varying states of repair. The Krarup’s cars were swapped around periodically, many becoming permanent storage fixtures as they were retired. Despite protective wax and covers, many of Anker’s cars remained non-runners. Mindful of earlier successful ‘barn find’ sales handled by Campen Auktioner Krarups decided to sell up.
“The cars should get back on the road where they belong,” explained Anker. “Our cars have taken us around Europe and it will be sad to see them go, but I think they will find good homes,” added Marianne. Campen Auktioner director Finn Campen said: “The Krarup’s consignment of Renaults for our Sunday, March 20, auction is quite fantastic. We have a lot of experience in moving large collections. We’re very proud of that fact that we moved 60 cars in a day and half from Funen to our facility in Randers.”
Editor of Renotes, the magazine for the Renault Owners’ Club, Al Worsley, was similarly delighted: “It’s an interesting find for sure. Renaults always sell for more on the continent than they do in the UK; perhaps Renault itself will take an interest.” While the formal sale will take place on Sunday, March 20, bids can also be submitted online at: http://ow.ly/ Yavw4