The Renault Vivastella was an executive car introduced by Renault in October 1928 and produced for the model years 1929 - 1939.
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. In Latin, "stella" means "star", and viva means "live long".
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 Vivastella 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