As with many companies, the name BNC can be attributed to the marriage of an engineer and a supporting financial backer – such was the case with Lucien Bollack, formerly of Hispano-Suiza, and René Netter, his financier. Bollack, Netter, et Compagnie began producing automobiles in 1923. History records that their cars were attractive and enjoyed success in regional competition, but a runway of sales eluded them.

The Model 527 was an undeniably attractive sports car, with the influence of its French contemporaries, yet with a more low-slung frame and swept-back radiator. Under the hood was a Ruby-built 1,100 cc side-valve engine mated to a three-speed transmission. Of the catalogued factory body designs, this example complies most closely to the Torpédo Sport Paris-Biarritz.

One of very few survivors, this BNC is accompanied by an extensive documentation file, which traces its history to the original owner, M. Tremel of France. Following a brief gap in the record, the car later surfaced in the US, though the circumstances of its transatlantic journey remain unknown. Circa 1942, the voiturette was offered for sale by motorcycle dealer George Taylor and subsequently acquired by George Caswell. In a clever bit of engineering, Caswell shoehorned a Ford V8-60 engine into the BNC’s frame without substantially altering the bodywork and created something of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” It has stayed in this form ever since.

This BNC was subsequently actively raced by Caswell and Otto Linton in the incubatory 1940s US racing scene. In this “anything goes” era of motor sports, the car achieved a solid 8th place at Watkins Glen in 1948. Images on file show this voiturette competing against everything from MG Midgets to an Alfa Romeo 2.9 and a Teardrop Talbot-Lago. Caswell’s custody ran for a decade, until 1953, by which time the car’s rear axle had been replaced with a beefier unit and larger wheels. It is believed that the next owner was Eric “Sonny” Grainger, one of the founders of Bridgehampton. From 1953 to 1960, Chuck Molin followed in these same footsteps, before passing the car to John Gianella, who replaced the V8-60 with a Midget race car engine. His ownership extended all the way to 1998, when his friend George Lymber gently assumed its tenure. Lymber kept the car until his passing in 2013, and it was acquired by the current owner a year later. Arriving in a well-worn state, the car underwent an extensive restoration, which placed it in the exquisite order seen today. This work was carried out by Lowrey’s Auto Restoration of New Hampshire.

This jewel-like, Franco-American hybrid blends elegant European torpédo styling with the punch of a compact V-8 – certain to prompt more than a few double takes from passersby. With its well-documented provenance and early American racing history in the mix, this makes an extremely appealing voiturette for the discerning enthusiast.

*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.