Autovia

Last updated

Autovia
Autovia 1938 (16776373710).jpg
limousine by Arthur Mulliner
EYX 464 registered September 1938
Overview
ManufacturerAutovia Cars Limited, [note 1]
Ordnance Works, Midland Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5DX
Production1937-1938, public sales starting 1936 [1] [2]
44 made
Designer Charles van Eugen
Body and chassis
Class Large luxury
Body style chassis
4-light sports saloon
6-light saloon
limousine [2]
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related(engine) Riley 1½-litre I4
Riley 8/90 2¼-litre V8 [3]
Powertrain
Engine 2,849 cc (174 cu in) V8
Transmission single dry-plate clutch to a 4-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on all speeds or
automatic clutch and 4-speed preselective gearbox
divided propeller shaft, back section in a torque tube
final drive by underhung worm is housed in a banjo-type casing [2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 129 in (3,277 mm) [4]
Track 56.5 in (1,435 mm)
Length175.5 in (4,458 mm)
183 in (4,648 mm) [4]
Width71 in (1,803 mm) [4]
Chronology
Predecessornone
Successornone
Overview
Production44
Layout
Configuration 90° V8
Displacement 2,849 cubic centimetres (174 cu in) [2]
Cylinder bore 69.5 mm (2.74 in) [2]
Piston stroke 95.25 mm (3.750 in) [2]
Valvetrain inclined at 90° overhead valves worked by pushrods from three camshafts [2] [5]
Combustion
Fuel systemtwin Zenith downdraught carburettors with a balance pipe and hot-spot fed from a 16 gallon tank at the back, ignition by magneto with automatic advance mounted vertically towards the rear of the V [2] [5]
Cooling system a water pump is mounted either side of the timing case. The radiator has a fan and thermostatically controlled shutters. The sump is ribbed at the sides [2] [5]
Output
Power output 99 bhp @ 4,700 rpm [3]
Tax rating 23.8hp [2]
Chronology
PredecessorRiley 8/90 2¼-litre 90°V8 [3]
Successornone
EYX 464 around 1963
No higher resolution available Autovia (07) limousine EYX 464.jpg
EYX 464 around 1963
No higher resolution available

Autovia was a short lived brand of British cars from Coventry existing from 1935 to 1938 with production starting in January 1937. [2] Created by Riley to target the luxury market, the venture was ambitious and even included setting up a school for chauffeurs. The cars were expensive, however, and it was a market sector already well served by other companies. 44 cars were made. [6]

Contents

Large luxury cars

The company was created by Riley as a subsidiary to produce large luxury cars and a new factory was built. A 2849 cc 90-degree V-8, triple camshaft engine was developed from the Riley 8/90 engine but using the same bore as the 1½-litre Riley engine. [7] This was coupled to a preselector unit bought from Armstrong Siddeley. One car was fitted with a ZF 4-speed manual box. Drive was to the rear wheels through a live axle with worm gear final drive.

Three body types were advertised, a Sports saloon, a Special Saloon with extra leg room at the expense of boot space and a limousine mostly built by Arthur Mulliner of Northampton who were London distributors. The car was also available as a bare chassis.

The venture failed when Riley went bankrupt. When they were taken over by the Nuffield Organization Autovia was not resurrected and the assets were purchased by Jimmy James Ltd., a Riley distributor in London. [7]

There were thought to be eight of these cars remaining in 2008. [8]

The limousine was considered remarkable for its width being more than its overall height yet the floors were flat and a tunnel and wells avoided at the back. "The general low set helps stability" said The Times, "the models are well equipped, as they should be for the price". [2]

Open two-seater, originally a saloon, first registered September 1939 Autovia 1938 Front.JPG
Open two-seater, originally a saloon, first registered September 1939

Specification

The underslung chassis frame permitted a low overall height and low floor line, for the saloon and limousine as well as the sporting model. [7]

In addition to the details in the adjacent box:

Pricing

In a prior announcement 10 October 1936 Victor Riley revealed there would be two models available in addition to the bare chassis all with an automatic clutch, a preselective gearbox and a worm driven back axle. Prices would be:

The London distributors were Arthur Mulliner Limited of 54 Baker Street. [9]

See also

Notes

  1. Autovia Cars —Manufacturers of and dealers in and hirers of automobiles, motor vans, and lorries, &c.
    Nominal capital, £60,000, in £1 shares.
    "Company Registrations". The Times. No. 47249. 17 December 1935. p. 21.

References

  1. Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN   1-870979-38-9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 The Times, Wednesday, 22 September 1937; pg. 6; Issue 47796
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rileyrob. "Autovia (1937-38)" . Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN   0-333-16689-2.
  5. 1 2 3 "The Motor Show". The Times. No. 47819. 19 October 1937. p. 10.
  6. Autovia Car Club
  7. 1 2 3 Worthington-Williams, Mike (May 1984). "Riley's second cousin". Classic and Sportscar. Haymarket Publishing. p. 17.
  8. Hardiman, Paul (February 2008). Duchene, Paul; Lombard, Stefan; Pickering, Jim (eds.). "H&H Auctions, Duxford, UK: The Imperial War Museum". Sports Car Market. Portland, OR USA: Automotive Investor Media Group. ISSN   1527-859X . Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  9. The Times, Saturday, 10 Oct 1936; pg. 6; Issue 47502