The early 1930s Renault commercial vehicles were a range of modular chassis produced by Renault, sold under various configurations, primarily trucks, buses and coaches. The range was the first from Renault to get diesel engines and it abandoned previous design styles from the company. The range was gradually replaced from 1935 onwards by the ACx and ADx light range, the ABx medium range and the ZP bus/coach.
| Early 1930s Renault commercial vehicles | |
|---|---|
 A Renault OS (OSB model for 1933) | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Various |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production | 1930–1936 |
| Assembly | Boulogne-Billancourt, France |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Late 1920s Renault commercial vehicles |
| Successor |
|
History and overview edit
Beginnings of the early 1930s range edit
At the end of 1930, Renault ended production of its last "coalscuttle"-bonneted (with the radiator behind the engine) commercial vehicles, adopting more vertical grilles and, in some models, vertical slits on both sides of the engine compartment, as the radiator was moved ahead.[1] At the same time, it was introducing its first diesel engines for road transport. These engines were a 7-litre inline-four and a 10.5-litre inline-six, both with direct injection.[2][3][4] The inline-four was initially used on Renault's heavy trucks from 1930,[3] and the inline-six was introduced in 1931.[2] The engines had been extensively tested for two years and its development had as base Renault's experience on diesel marine engines, which allowed the company to create its own diesel engine technology instead of purchasing it to foreign manufacturers, as most of its French competitors did. The production of Renault's commercial range at the time was heavily modularised,[4] with many standardised pieces,[4][5] improving economies of scale, quality on mass production and also simplifying parts replacement.[4] The light and mid-range commercial vehicles for 1931 were largely made up from evolutions of existing models: the RY and KZ (both with payloads under 1 tonne), the OS (1.3-1.8 tonne payload), the PR (2 tonnes payload), the SX (2 tonnes payload), and the SZ (3 tonnes payload).[1] The upper ranges had a mix of new and updated but old models, including the TL (4 tonnes payload), TR (5.5 tonnes payload), TS (7.5 tonnes payload), TI, and two tractor units (SY and TT).[4][6]
Range expansion edit
For 1932, the lower range consisted on further upgraded vehicles, using inline-four (all except SX and SZ) and inline-six (SX and SZ) petrol engines. Most of the upper range used the already mentioned diesel engines and two petrol ones: a 6-litre inline-four and a 9.1-litre inline-six. The TI (5.5 tonnes payload) and the UD (7.5 tonnes payload) mounted the four engines, the TS (8 tonnes payload) only the inline-four ones,[7][8] and the 6x2 VT (12 tonnes payload) only the inline-six. The range was completed by two tractor units: the TT (hauling capacity of up to 15 tonnes), using the four upper range engines; and the SY (hauling capacity of up to 6 tonnes), using the engine mounted on the SX-SZ.[7]
About 1931–1932, Renault unveiled a new 3.8 inline-four diesel engine called the C-90, to be used in future vehicles. It also introduced short-lived 6×4 petrol-engined trucks with articulated suspension: the UC (7-tonne payload or tractor unit up to 15 tonnes) and the UR (4-tonne payload).[9]
For the 1933 models, there were some changes compared to the ones for 1932: a new light vehicle called YP (0.75 tonnes payload), a new KZ chassis more focused on commercial use, the discontinuation of the TS. Renault also introduced vehicles with new diesel and petrol engines: the YF, replacing the SZ, and the YG tractor unit, replacing the SY.[10] For 1934, Renault removed the SX, replacing it with the ZY (ZYAC, inline-four petrol, 2.5 tonnes payload) and started to phase out the PR, exchanging it for most uses with a new 2-tonne chassis, the ZJ, which was subject to less taxes and restrictions. A ZY version (ZYDC) received a new diesel engine, and both petrols and diesels for all the models were updated. The TI lost its inline-six petrol engine and the TT all its inline-four ones. A VT-based heavy truck, the ZF, was added to the lineup.[11]
The French military commissioned various vehicles from Renault's commercial range, including the UD, the YF, the TI, and the PR.[12]
End of the early 1930s range edit
By 1934, the French government established various restrictions on commercial vehicles. As a result of these, Renault began to introduce forward control designs, replacing the normal control (conventional cabin) it had been using in the early 1930s. At the 1934 Paris Salon, the company unveiled two forward control units for 1935: the ABF (5-tonne payload truck), the ZP (a coach),[13][14] and announced a third, the ABG tractor unit (hauling capacity of up to 10 tonnes), which was unveiled at the Brussels Salon of that year.[15] The petrol-engined versions of the TT and the VT were removed from the lineup.[6] For 1935 Renault also retired its last flathead petrol engines from the commercial range and gave minor updates to the diesel ones. Lastly, the company introduced a new YF-based coach,[13] the ZI.[16]
At the 1935 Paris Salon, Renault presented basically the same 1935 range for 1936.[14] In practice, all the early 1930s commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes payload were discontinued during the 1935–1936 period, its boxy styling replaced with the more curvy Renault ACx and ADx range.[1] Most normal-control commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes payload were also discontinued, the exception being the UD, which subsisted on the lineup until 1937.[6] A TI variant (the TI 4 AE) was produced for the military until 1938.[12]
Technical details edit
1931 lineup edit
The Renault's commercial vehicle range for 1931 has gross combined weight ratings of up to 8.5 tonnes (for rigid trucks) and 16 tonnes (for tractor units with towed cargo). The bus/coach bodywork variants can carry between 10 (OS model) and up to 40 passengers (TI and TI N models).[17]
| Model | Chassis code | Engines | Payload | Chassis lengths | Gearboxes | Type | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | C. | Displacement | Fiscal power | Power | ||||||
| Mona 6[note 1] | RY2 | Petrol | 6 | 1,463 cc | 8 CV | 26 PS (19 kW) | 400 kg | 1 | 3-speed manual | Light van |
| KZ | KZ | 4 | 2,120 cc | 11 CV | 33 PS (24 kW) | 600 kg | 2 | |||
| OS | OS3 | 1,300–1,800 kg | 1 | 4-speed manual | Light truck and bus/coach | |||||
| PR | PR3 | 2,000 kg | ||||||||
| SX | SX3 | 6 | 3,180 cc | 15/18 CV | 53 PS (39 kW) | 2,000–2,500 kg | 2 | |||
| SZ | SZ3 | 12 CV | 3 tonnes | 1 | ||||||
| TL | ||||||||||
| - | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 60 PS (44 kW) | 4 tonnes | Truck and bus/coach | ||||
| Diesel | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||||
| TR | ||||||||||
| TR | Petrol | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 60 PS (44 kW) | 5.5 tonnes | Truck | ||||
| TRD | Diesel | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | ||||||
| TS | ||||||||||
| - | Petrol | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 60 PS (44 kW) | 7.5 tonnes | 2 | ||||
| Diesel | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||||
| TI | - | Petrol | 6 | 9,120 cc | 35 CV | 100 PS (74 kW) | 30–35 passeenger seats (short) 35–40 passenger seats (long) |
Bus/coach | ||
| TI N | - | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 60 PS (44 kW) | 30–35 passenger seats (short) 35–40 passenger seats (long) | ||||
| SY | - | Petrol | 6 | 3,180 cc | 12 CV | 53 PS (39 kW) | 6 tonnes (hauling) | 1 | Tractor unit | |
| TT | ||||||||||
| - | Petrol | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 60 PS (44 kW) | 12 tonnes (hauling) | ||||
| Diesel | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||||
1932 lineup edit
The Renault's commercial vehicle range for 1932 has about a dozen of different chassis configurations,[8] with gross combined weight ratings of up to 14 tonnes (for rigid trucks) and 20 tonnes (for tractor units with towed cargo). The bus/coach bodywork variants can carry between 12 (OS model) and up to 45 passengers (TI model).[7]
| Model | Chassis code | Engines | Payload | Chassis lengths | Gearboxes | Type | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | C. | Displacement | Fiscal power | Power | ||||||
| Mona 4[note 2] | UY | Petrol | 4 | 1,300 cc | 7 CV | 25 PS (18 kW) | 500 kg | 1 | 3-speed manual | Light van |
| Prima 4 | YB | 2,120 cc | 11 CV | 35 PS (26 kW) | ||||||
| Viva 4 | KZ | 800 kg | 2 | |||||||
| OS | OS4 OS5 |
1,300 kg | 1 | 4-speed manual | Light truck and bus/coach | |||||
| PR | PR4 PR5 |
2,000 kg | ||||||||
| SX | SX4 SX5 |
6 | 3,180 cc | 15/18 CV | 53 PS (39 kW) | 2 | ||||
| SZ | SZ4 | 12 CV | 3.5 tonnes | |||||||
| TI | ||||||||||
| TI 4 | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 5 tonnes | 3 | Truck and bus/coach | |||
| TI 6 | 6 | 9,120 cc | 35 CV | 100 PS (74 kW) | ||||||
| TI D4 | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||
| TI D6 | 6 | 10,590 cc | 40 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
| UD | ||||||||||
| UD 4 | Petrol | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 7.5 tonnes | 1 | Truck | ||
| UD 6 | 6 | 9,120 cc | 35 CV | 100 PS (74 kW) | ||||||
| UD D4 | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||
| UD D6 | 6 | 10,590 cc | 40 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
| TS | ||||||||||
| TSE TS |
Petrol | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 9.5 tonnes | 2 | |||
| TSE D4 TS D4 |
Diesel | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | ||||||
| VT | ||||||||||
| VT 6 | Petrol | 6 | 9,120 cc | 40 CV | 100 PS (74 kW) | 12 tonnes | 1 | 5-speed manual | 6x2 truck | |
| VT D6 | Diesel | 10,590 cc | 40 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
| SY | - | Petrol | 6 | 3,180 cc | 12 CV | 53 PS (39 kW) | 6 tonnes (hauling) | 4-speed manual | Tractor unit | |
| TT | ||||||||||
| TT 4 | Petrol | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 10–15 tonnes (hauling) | 5-speed manual | |||
| TT 6 | 6 | 9,120 cc | 35 CV | 100 PS (74 kW) | ||||||
| TT D4 | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 27 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||
| TT D6 | 6 | 10,590 cc | 40 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
1933 lineup edit
The Renault's commercial vehicle range for 1933 has the same maximum gross combined weight ratings of the previous range. Some bus/coach variants got improvements on chassis and suspension.[10][note 3]
| Model | Chassis code | Engines | Payload | Chassis lengths | Gearboxes | Type | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | C. | Displacement | Fiscal power | Power | ||||||
| YP | YPB | Petrol | 4 | 1,463 cc | 8 CV | 32 PS (24 kW) | 750 kg | 1 | 3-speed manual | Light van |
| KZ | KZB (KZ12) | 2,120 cc | 11 CV | 35 PS (26 kW) | ||||||
| OS | OSB | 1,300 kg | 4-speed manual | Light truck and bus/coach | ||||||
| PR | PRB | 2,000 kg | ||||||||
| SX | SXB | 6 | 3,180 cc | 15/18 CV | 53 PS (39 kW) | 2 | ||||
| YF | ||||||||||
| YFAB | 4 | 4,050 cc | 15 CV | 65 PS (48 kW) | 3.5 tonnes | |||||
| YFDB | Diesel | 4,345 cc | 12 CV | 45 PS (33 kW) | ||||||
| TI | ||||||||||
| TI 4 B | Petrol | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 5.5 tonnes | 3 | 5-speed manual | Truck and bus/coach | ||
| TI 6 B | 6 | 7,983 cc | 30 CV | 105 PS (77 kW) | ||||||
| TI D4 B | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 19 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||
| TI D6 B | 6 | 10,590 cc | 28 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
| UD | ||||||||||
| UD 4 B | Petrol | 4 | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 7.5 tonnes | 1 | Truck | ||
| UD 6 B | 6 | 7,983 cc | 30 CV | 105 PS (77 kW) | ||||||
| UD D4 AB | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 19 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | Bus/coach and delivery vehicle | ||||
| UD D6 B | 6 | 10,590 cc | 28 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | Truck | |||||
| VT | ||||||||||
| VT 6 AB | Petrol | 6 | 7,983 cc | 30 CV | 105 PS (77 kW) | 12 tonnes | 6x2 truck | |||
| VT D6 B | Diesel | 10,590 cc | 28 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
| YG | ||||||||||
| YGAB | Petrol | 4 | 4,050 cc | 15 CV | 65 PS (48 kW) | 6 tonnes (hauling) | Tractor unit | |||
| YGDB | Diesel | 4,345 cc | 12 CV | 45 PS (33 kW) | ||||||
| TT | ||||||||||
| TT 4 | Petrol | 6,082 cc | 23 CV | 69 PS (51 kW) | 10–15 tonnes (hauling) | |||||
| TT 6 A | 6 | 7,983 cc | 30 CV | 105 PS (77 kW) | ||||||
| TT D4 | Diesel | 4 | 7,060 cc | 19 CV | 57 PS (42 kW) | |||||
| TT D6 | 6 | 10,590 cc | 28 CV | 87 PS (64 kW) | ||||||
1935 lineup edit
The Renault's commercial vehicle range for 1935 has about twenty three different chassis configurations, with a gross combined weight rating of up 20 tonnes. The bus/coach bodywork variants can carry between 14 (OS model) and up to 36 passengers (ZP model). Various models' chassis were modified to comply with the French law.[18]
| Model | Chassis code | Engines | Payload | Chassis lengths | Gearboxes | Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | C. | Displacement | Power | ||||||
| YN | YN1 | Petrol | 4 | 1,463 cc | 34 PS (25 kW) | 450 kg | 1 | 3-speed manual | Light van |
| YP | YPE | 750 kg | |||||||
| KZ | KZE | 2,120 cc | 43 PS (32 kW) | ||||||
| OS | OSC | 1,200 kg | 4-speed manual | Light truck and bus/coach | |||||
| ZJ | ZJC | 2,000 kg | |||||||
| ZY | |||||||||
| ZYAE | 4,050 cc | 77 PS (57 kW) | 2.5 tonnes | 2 | |||||
| ZYDE | Diesel | 4,345 cc | 47 PS (35 kW) | Light truck | |||||
| YF | |||||||||
| YFAE | Petrol | 4,050 cc | 77 PS (57 kW) | 3.5 tonnes | Truck and bus/coach | ||||
| YFDE | Diesel | 4,345 cc | 47 PS (35 kW) | Truck | |||||
| ABF | |||||||||
| ABF | Petrol | 5,900 cc | 85 PS (63 kW) | 4.5–5 tonnes | Forward control truck | ||||
| ABFD | Diesel | 8,350 cc | |||||||
| TI | |||||||||
| TI 4 AE | Petrol | 5,900 cc | 5.5 tonnes | 5-speed manual | Truck | ||||
| TI 4 DE | Diesel | 8,350 cc | |||||||
| UD | |||||||||
| UD 6 AE | Petrol | 6 | 7,983 cc | 112 PS (82 kW) | 7.5 tonnes | ||||
| UD 6 DE | Diesel | 12,525 cc | 130 PS (96 kW) | ||||||
| VT | VT D6 DD | 12 tonnes | 1 | 6x2 truck | |||||
| ZF | ZF 6 DD | 15 tonnes | |||||||
| YG | |||||||||
| YGAD | Petrol | 4 | 4,050 cc | 77 PS (57 kW) | 6 tonnes (hauling) | 4-speed manual | Tractor unit | ||
| YGDD | Diesel | 4,345 cc | 47 PS (35 kW) | ||||||
| ABG | |||||||||
| ABG | Petrol | 5,900 cc | 85 PS (63 kW) | 8–10 tonnes (hauling) | Forward control tractor unit | ||||
| ABGD | Diesel | 8,350 cc | |||||||
| TT | TT D6 | 6 | 12,525 cc | 130 PS (96 kW) | 15 tonnes (hauling) | 5-speed manual | Tractor unit | ||
| TI a | |||||||||
| TI 6 AE | Petrol | 7,983 cc | 112 PS (82 kW) | 22 passenger seats | Bus/coach | ||||
| TI 6 DE | Diesel | 12,525 cc | 130 PS (96 kW) | ||||||
| ZI | - | Petrol | 4 | 5,900 cc | 85 PS (63 kW)–99 PS (73 kW) | 26 passenger seats | 4-speed manual | ||
| ZP | - | 23–28 passenger seats (short) 31–36 passenger seats (long) |
2 | Forward control bus/coach | |||||
Notes edit
- ^ The two first models were sold by Renault's passenger vehicle division. Renault also sold the six-wheelers MH and OX and the TN buses for special purposes.
- ^ The three first models were sold by Renault's passenger vehicle division.
- ^ For the passenger car chassis with commercial version, see Renault Monaquatre.
References edit
- ^ a b c "Utilitaires légers. Les Renault des années trente" [LCVs. 1930s Renaults]. Charge utile (in French) (242). Paris: Histoire et collection: 42–45. February 2013. ISSN 1240-2346.
- ^ a b Carroll, John; Davies, Peter James (2007). Complete Book Tractors and Trucks. Hermes House. p. 66. ISBN 1-84309-689-7.
- ^ a b "The new Renault diesel engines". The Commercial Motor. Vol. 50, no. 1291. London. 10 December 1929. p. 75. ISSN 0010-3063.
- ^ a b c d e Faroux, Charles (25 November 1931). "Le Salon des véhicules industriels 1931" [The 1931 commercial vehicles show]. La vie automobile (in French). Vol. 27, no. 982. Paris: Dunod. p. 632–633.
- ^ "Advance news of the Paris show". The Commercial Motor. Vol. 54, no. 1392. London. 17 November 1931. p. 52. ISSN 0010-3063.
- ^ a b c Liste des types de châssis industriels de 1926 à 1940 (in French), Billancourt: Renault, 1946
- ^ a b c La gamme des véhicules industriels Renault (in French), Billancourt: Renault, 1932
- ^ a b "Tendances et progrès de la construction des véhicules industriels en 1932" [Trends and progress for commercial vehicle manufacturing in 1932]. Omnia (in French). No. 139. Paris. December 1931. p. 456. ISSN 2592-477X.
- ^ "Les "nouveautés" Renault en matière de véhicules industriels" [Renault's "novelties" for commercial vehicles]. La Pratique automobile vulgarisée (in French). Vol. 28, no. 601. Paris. 15 February 1932. pp. 14, 16. ISSN 2711-5364.
- ^ a b "Les poids lourds Renault" [The Renault's heavy vehicles]. La Pratique automobile vulgarisée (in French). Vol. 28, no. 618. Paris. 1 November 1932. pp. 14–16. ISSN 2711-5364.
- ^ "Les poids lourds Renault" [The Renault's heavy vehicles]. La vie automobile (in French). Vol. 29, no. 1026. Paris: Dunod. 25 September 1933. p. 448.
- ^ a b Vauvillier, François; Touraine, Jean-Michel; Jeudy, Jean-Gabriel (1992). L'automobile sous l'uniforme 1939–1940 [The Car in Uniform 1939–1940] (in French). Editions Ch. Massin. pp. 61, 84, 112, 155. ISBN 2-7072-0197-9.
- ^ a b Faroux, Charles (25 September 1934). ""Pour 1935..." Le Salon 1934" ["For 1935..." The 1934 Salon]. La vie automobile (in French). Vol. 30, no. 1050. Paris: Dunod. p. 457.
- ^ a b ""Pour 1936..."" ["For 1936..."]. La vie automobile (in French). Vol. 31, no. 1074. Paris: Dunod. 25 September 1935. p. 451.
- ^ "Important commercial interest at the Brussels show". The Commercial Motor. Vol. 60, no. 1550. London: Temple Press. 30 November 1934. pp. 48–49. ISSN 0010-3063.
- ^ "Nos véhicules industriels 1935" [Our commercial vehicles for 1935]. Bulletin commercial des Usines Renault (in French). No. 70. Paris: Renault. 30 November 1934.
- ^ La gamme des véhicules industriels Renault (in French), Billancourt: Renault, 1931
- ^ Gamme des véhicules industriels 1934-1935 (in French), Billancourt: Renault, 1935