Renault Vivastella

The Renault Vivastella was an executive car introduced by Renault in October 1928 and produced for the model years 1929 - 1939.

Renault Vivastella
Overview
ManufacturerRenault
Production1929–1939
DesignerLouis Renault
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFR layout
RelatedRenault Vivasport
Powertrain
Engine1929-1934
(PG4/PG5/PG7) I6, 3180 cc, 52 HP, 65HP
(ZA2) I6,
1924-1939
3620 cc, 85 HP
(ACR1/ABD) I6, 4085 cc, 100HP
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,110–3,260 mm (122.4–128.3 in)
Length4,450–4,930 mm (175.2–194.1 in)
Width1,700–1,800 mm (66.9–70.9 in)
Chronology
PredecessorRenault Vivasix
SuccessorRenault Fregate
First generation
Overview
Production1929–1934
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style4-door saloon
RelatedRenault Vivasix
Powertrain
EngineI6 3180 cc, 65HP
Transmission3-speed manual
Second generation
Overview
Production1935–1939
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style4-door saloon
Powertrain
EngineI6, 4085cc, 100HP
Transmission3-speed manual

The car was modified and changed with unusual frequency even by the standards of Renault in the 1930s, and following its evolution in retrospect is rendered more complicated by the way that the Renault catalogue frequently listed two succeeding generations of the model simultaneously, but the Vivastella always occupied a place in the manufacturer's line-up a little below the slightly longer Renault Reinastella.

Evolution

The Vivastella was introduced at the 22nd Paris Motor Show in October 1928 as a more luxurious version of the Renault Vivasix.[1]

First generation

  • 1929 The "Renault Vivastella Type PG2" had an engine of 3180cc (16CV) with claimed output of 52 HP
  • 1930 The "Renault Vivastella Type PG4 was 15 cm larger than the previous model.
  • 1932, a 65 horsepower engine was introduced.
  • 1933, the new series Type PG5 (5 seater) and PG7 (7 seater) were introduced
  • 1934 The "Renault Vivastella Type ZA2" was introduced; it had a radiator behind the engine, which was enlarged in Spring 1934 to 3620cc, now giving a maximum output of 80HP.[2] The 6-cylinder units shared the same 120mm cylinder stroke length, but the bore (cylinder diameter) on the larger engine was increased by 5mm to 80mm.[2] Although a new more modern Vivcastella was introduced for 1934, the earlier model continued to be listed, at an attractively lower price, in the catalogue. It incorporated most of the new mechanical elements of the new car, but used the older much more vertical looking bodywork.[2] Derivative models, the Renault Vivasport and the sporting Renault Viva Grand Sport were also introduced.

Second generation

  • In 1935, the new Vivastella (Type ACR1) was introduced with a new aerodynamic body.
  • From 1936, several new Vivastella versions were introduced at approximately six monthly intervals, one after another, Types ADB1, ADB2 (October 1936-March 1937), ADB3 (March 1937-October 1936),[3] ADB4 (October 1937-April 1938),[4] ADB5 (April 1938-) and BDZ1 with a new engine of 4085cc and 100HP, and an (even) more aerodynamic body.

Types

Model Project code Cylinders/
engine capacity
Power
HP @ rpm
Top speed (approx) Production period
month/year
Units produced Price at
launch (FF)
Note
VivastellaPG26/
3,180
60 @3,000110 km/h
(68 mph)
09/1928-09/1929-60,000
PG308/1929-09/19301,09160,000
PG4115 km/h
(71 mph)
09/1930-08/1931869-Light-weight chassis
PG507/1931-11/19322,22352,000
PG765 @ 3,100120 km/h
(75 mph)
09/1932-05/19331,440-
PG7 SA05/1933-10/1933383-
PG909/1933-04/1934746-First "aerodynamic" bodied version
PG11---11/1933-12/19336-
ZA26/
3,620
85 @ 3,000125 km/h
(78 mph)
09/1933-10/193489533,80022 were "Sahara" bodied cars
ZA309/1934-05/1935895-
ACR16/
4,085
95 @ 3,000130 km/h
(81 mph)
01/1935-08/193560938,000smaller 3,620cc engine available on request
ACR208/1935-01/1936358-
ADB109/1935-01/193780438,000
ADB209/1936-06/193719136,900
ADB306/1937-10/1937192-
BCH1 Sahara05/1937-09/193717-"Colonial" version
ADB409/1937-10/19373049,000
ADB510/1937-07/1938269-Plus 13 of the British market BDN1 version
and one of the British market BDN2 version
BDZ109/1938-10/193935856,000Plus 2 of the British market BDY1 version

Notes and sources

  1. "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1929 (salon [Paris, Oct] 1928). Paris: Histoire & collections. Nr. 84s: Page 76. 2006.
  2. "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1934 (salon [Paris, Oct] 1933). Paris: Histoire & collections. Nr. 22: Pages 60, 62 & 64. 2002.
  3. "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1937 (salon [Paris, Oct] 1936). Paris: Histoire & collections. Nr. 3: Pages 75 & 79. 1997.
  4. "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1938 (salon [Paris, Oct] 1937). Paris: Histoire & collections. Nr. 6: Pages 72 & 78. 1998.
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