Autovia
Encyclopedia
Autovia was a short lived brand of British car from Coventry
existing from 1935 to 1938 with production starting in 1936. The venture was ambitious and even included setting up a school for chauffeur
s. The cars were expensive and it was a market sector well served by other companies. 44 cars were made.
The company was created by Riley
as a subsidiary to produce large luxury cars and a new factory was built. A 2849 cc V-8, triple camshaft engine was developed from existing Riley engine blocks and coupled to either a pre selector
gearbox bought from Armstrong Siddeley
or a conventional four speed manual unit. 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
. The car was also available as a bare chassis.
The venture failed when Riley went bankrupt. When they were taken over by the Nuffield Organisation
Autovia was not resurrected.
There are thought to be eight of these cars remaining.
As of March 2011, William Riley has plans to resurrect the brand to use on his planned remake of the MG SV.
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
existing from 1935 to 1938 with production starting in 1936. The venture was ambitious and even included setting up a school for chauffeur
Chauffeur
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
s. The cars were expensive and it was a market sector well served by other companies. 44 cars were made.
The company was created by Riley
Riley (automobile)
Riley was a British motorcar and bicycle manufacturer from 1890. The company became part of the Nuffield Organisation in 1938 and was later merged into British Leyland: late in 1969 British Leyland announced their discontinuance of Riley production, although 1969 was a difficult year for the UK...
as a subsidiary to produce large luxury cars and a new factory was built. A 2849 cc V-8, triple camshaft engine was developed from existing Riley engine blocks and coupled to either a pre selector
Preselector gearbox
A preselector or self-changing gearbox is a type of manual gearbox used on a variety of vehicles, most commonly in the 1930s...
gearbox bought from Armstrong Siddeley
Armstrong Siddeley
Armstrong Siddeley was a British engineering group that operated during the first half of the 20th century. It was formed in 1919 and is best known for the production of luxury motor cars and aircraft engines.-Siddeley Autocars:...
or a conventional four speed manual unit. 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
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
mostly built by Arthur Mulliner
Mulliner
Mulliner may refer to: In companies:* H. J. Mulliner & Co. , British coachbuilder, with Bentley since 1991* Mulliner Park Ward , same coachbuilder while with Rolls-Royce* Mulliners British coachbuilder...
. The car was also available as a bare chassis.
The venture failed when Riley went bankrupt. When they were taken over by the Nuffield Organisation
Nuffield Organisation
The Nuffield Organisation was a vehicle manufacturing company in the United Kingdom. Named after its founder, William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield, it was formed in 1938 as the merger of Nuffield's Morris Motor Company , another of Nuffield's companies the MG Car Company and Riley.Morris Motors...
Autovia was not resurrected.
There are thought to be eight of these cars remaining.
As of March 2011, William Riley has plans to resurrect the brand to use on his planned remake of the MG SV.