Jack Troyal proudly drove the 1913 Renault around Mulwala till he was in his 80s.
This 1913 French Renault was purchased second-hand by well-known Mulwala identity Jack Troyal, during the 1930s. He drove this car daily from Mulwala township to his employment at Mulwala Station homestead, three miles north-west of Mulwala.
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When he retired in 1940 to Melbourne, this car was housed in a shed at ‘Kilnyana’.
Being such a local Mulwala vehicle, it was decided to house it in the Mulwala Pioneer Museum on display, where it became one of the museum’s most unique and valuable exhibits.
Being unrestored and kept in original condition, makes this vehicle extremely rare. Some locals still remember it chugging around the streets of Mulwala. Jack was a good mechanic and kept it going beyond its expected life span.
Jack showed his car to local Mulwala family: L-R: Jack Troyal, Lorna Loughnan, Valda Clancy (née Loughnan), Kevin Loughnan.
This car was made in Billancourt (Seine) France, and licenced to Great Britain and the Colonies. It has two cylinders, bore 80, Chassis No 38420, Chassis type AX series. Lights were acetylene. NSW registration 54-057.
Renault utilized a unique rear-mounted radiator, which allowed for a sloped aerodynamic front hood design, which improved the driver’s forward visibility. The engine was cooled by a fan mounted on the flywheel.
Jack Troyal came to Mulwala Station as part of a shearing team during the 1890s. James Sloane of Mulwala Station, who was a good judge of character, gave Jack a permanent job on the property, were he remained up to his retirement, when he relocated to Melbourne to live with his niece.
Kevin Loughnan and Lorna Loughnan.
This series is published by Yarrawonga Chronicle in support of Pioneer Museum which was closed last year after the building was found to be structurally unsound.
