Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix 1928 - An exceptional piece of French automotive history
This 1928 Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix model car represents one of the most iconic models of the French interwar period. Reproduced with remarkable attention to detail in 1:43 scale, this collector's item perfectly captures the elegance and technical innovation that characterized Renault automobiles of this golden era.
Intended for discerning collectors and automotive history enthusiasts, this model car stands out as an authentic testament to a pivotal period when French industry rivaled the greatest European manufacturers. Every detail of this reproduction honors the memory of a vehicle that marked its era with its refinement and technical innovations.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix
- Brand: Renault
- Year: 1928
- Scale: 1/43rd
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Protective case included: Yes (cracked in 2 places)
The original model: a concentrate of French innovation
The Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix was launched in 1928 amid the strong economic expansion following the Great War. This model was part of Renault's strategy to offer vehicles combining bourgeois comfort with advanced technical performance. The name "Vivasix" referred to its six-cylinder engine, a configuration that was still rare and prestigious at the time.
Technically, this car was distinguished by its 1.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine , developing around 35 horsepower. Its elegant body, available in several configurations (sedan, torpedo, convertible), embodied French refinement in the face of American mass production. The robust chassis and careful suspension offered remarkable driving comfort for the time.
Commercially, the Type PG 2 was a notable success among the French and European bourgeoisie, confirming Renault's reputation as a manufacturer of high-end vehicles. This success helped to establish the diamond brand's position in the prestige car segment before the advent of popular models.
Renault in 1928: the golden age of French innovation
By 1928, Renault was already a century-old company led by Louis Renault , one of the pioneers of the French automobile. Founded in 1899, the brand had established itself thanks to its early technical innovations, including the cardan shaft drive and the direct-drive gearbox. This period of the 1920s marked the height of French automotive creativity.
The context for the creation of the Type PG 2 coincided with the international expansion of Renault, which was then producing in several European countries. The Billancourt company employed thousands of workers and engineers, making Renault one of the European leaders in the automobile industry . This privileged position allowed the brand to invest massively in the research and development of new models.
Renault's history during this period was characterized by a constant search for innovation, whether in engines, transmissions, or bodywork. This corporate philosophy explains why models like the Type PG 2 Vivasix left a lasting mark on French automotive history and continue to fascinate collectors nearly a century later.
The Vivasix anecdote: when Renault revolutionized the six-cylinder engine
The history of the Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix is inseparable from a technical revolution little known to the general public. In 1928, Louis Renault and his engineers succeeded in developing a particularly compact and quiet six-cylinder engine, defying the standards of the time. This technical feat resulted from years of research conducted in the greatest secrecy in the Billancourt workshops.
A delightful anecdote tells us that during the first tests of the prototype, engineers from Peugeot and Citroën, intrigued by the unusual silence of the Renault engine at a car show, discreetly attempted to observe the vehicle's operation. Louis Renault, amused by this curiosity, is said to have organized mock demonstrations where the engine was deliberately muffled by insulating materials, maintaining the mystery surrounding his innovation.
This attention to the technical refinement of the Vivasix was part of an era when French automobiles sought to distinguish themselves from American production through elegance and sophistication rather than volume. The Type PG 2 thus became the symbol of a French art de vivre , prized by a European clientele in search of distinction.
Paradoxically, it was this quest for technical perfection that made the production of the Vivasix more expensive than expected, limiting its commercial distribution but reinforcing its status as a prestige object. This production philosophy explains today the rarity and value of the surviving examples, whether real or miniaturized.
Complete your collection of exceptional French model cars
This 1928 Renault Type PG 2 Vivasix model car naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to historic French automobiles . It interacts perfectly with other emblematic models from the interwar period, creating a coherent whole that traces the evolution of the French automobile industry. Collectors will particularly appreciate the complementarity with Citroën model cars from the same period.
Beyond its historical value, this piece is aimed at French model car enthusiasts who are looking for authentic models that are faithful to the originals. Its presence also enriches the thematic collections dedicated to the 1920s , a fascinating period in automotive history marked by innovation and elegance. Classic vehicle enthusiasts will find here a valuable testimony to the stylistic evolution that led to the great successes of the following decades.
This Renault model car is a must-have for any collector keen to own the most representative models of the golden age of French motoring. It is also an excellent starting point for exploring the world of 1/43rd scale model cars , an essential reference in the world of car collecting. Its historical authenticity and quality of reproduction make it a heritage investment as well as an object of passion for future generations of exceptional car enthusiasts.
