Arista (1952 automobile)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | late 1940s (as Callista) |
| Founder | Antonio Monge, Robert Rowe |
| Fate | Defunct by 1967 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Arista was a French-made automobile featuring a fiberglass body, manufactured in Paris from 1952 until 1967.
Background
Originally established in the late 1940s under the name Callista by Antonio Monge and Robert Rowe, the company encountered difficulties early on. Their sports model, the "Coupe des Alpes," was priced higher than the more affordable Panhard Dyna Junior, which restricted its market appeal. Following this setback, Monge shifted his focus back to motorsport tuning, while Rowe experienced financial collapse due to importing faulty Romanian tractors. By the end of 1952, both founders had withdrawn from the enterprise.
A new name and a new strategy
The business was revitalized by Raymond Gaillard, a competitor known for his participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, who rebranded the company as Arista. The firm then concentrated on producing a smaller, lighter vehicle called the "Arista Ranelagh," named after Gaillard's Paris showroom located on Rue du Ranelagh.
This model utilized mechanical parts sourced from the Panhard Dyna X and was offered as a low cabriolet with a wheelbase of and an overall length of . Additionally, a shorter roadster version measured . With a weight ranging between , it achieved a top speed of , thanks to its lightweight design and front-wheel-drive system. Production numbers reached around 100 units.
In 1956, Arista launched the Passy model, equipped with an engine derived from the Panhard Dyna Z, which remained available until 1962. The sportier Arista Sport featured the more powerful "Tigre" engine but delivered only slight weight reductions compared to standard versions while including upgraded features. Despite its attractive styling, the coupe's price was high relative to its engine capacity and performance, resulting in diminished sales.
Although additional models appeared occasionally, manufacturing ended by 1963. Subsequently, the company played a role in producing the Sovam sports car.