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
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1929–1939
Designer	Louis Renault
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Renault Vivasport
Powertrain
Engine	1929-1934 (PG4/PG5/PG7) I6, 3180 cc, 52 HP, 65HP (ZA2) I6, 1924-1939 3620 cc, 85 HP (ACR1/ABD) I6, 4085 cc, 100HP
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,110–3,260 mm (122.4–128.3 in)
Length	4,450–4,930 mm (175.2–194.1 in)
Width	1,700–1,800 mm (66.9–70.9 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault Vivasix
Successor	Renault Fregate

First generation
Overview
Production	1929–1934
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door saloon
Related	Renault Vivasix
Powertrain
Engine	I6 3180 cc, 65HP
Transmission	3-speed manual

Second generation
Overview
Production	1935–1939
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	I6, 4085cc, 100HP
Transmission	3-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
Vivastella	PG2	6/ 3,180	60 @3,000	110 km/h (68 mph)	09/1928-09/1929	-	60,000
	PG3				08/1929-09/1930	1,091	60,000
	PG4			115 km/h (71 mph)	09/1930-08/1931	869	-	Light-weight chassis
	PG5				07/1931-11/1932	2,223	52,000
	PG7		65 @ 3,100	120 km/h (75 mph)	09/1932-05/1933	1,440	-
	PG7 SA				05/1933-10/1933	383	-
	PG9				09/1933-04/1934	746	-	First "aerodynamic" bodied version
	PG11	-	-	-	11/1933-12/1933	6	-
	ZA2	6/ 3,620	85 @ 3,000	125 km/h (78 mph)	09/1933-10/1934	895	33,800	22 were "Sahara" bodied cars
	ZA3				09/1934-05/1935	895	-
	ACR1	6/ 4,085	95 @ 3,000	130 km/h (81 mph)	01/1935-08/1935	609	38,000	smaller 3,620cc engine available on request
	ACR2				08/1935-01/1936	358	-
	ADB1				09/1935-01/1937	804	38,000
	ADB2				09/1936-06/1937	191	36,900
	ADB3				06/1937-10/1937	192	-
	BCH1 Sahara				05/1937-09/1937	17	-	"Colonial" version
	ADB4				09/1937-10/1937	30	49,000
	ADB5				10/1937-07/1938	269	-	Plus 13 of the British market BDN1 version and one of the British market BDN2 version
	BDZ1				09/1938-10/1939	358	56,000	Plus 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.