Autovia

This article is about a British car. For the Spanish motorway, see Autovía.

Autovia
File:Autovia 1938 (16776373710).jpg limousine by Arthur Mulliner registered September 1938
Overview
Manufacturer	Autovia Cars Limited, Ordnance Works, Midland Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5DX
Production	1937-1938 public sales starting 1936 44 made
Designer	Charles Van Eugen (1890-1980)
Body and chassis
Class	Large luxury
Body style	chassis 4-light sports saloon 6-light saloon limousine
Layout	Front engine rear wheel drive
Related	(engine) Riley 1½-litre straight 4 and Riley 8/90 2¼-litre 90°V8
Powertrain
Engine	2,849 cubic centimetres (174 cu in) 90°V-8
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 propellor shaft, back section in a torque tube final drive by underhung worm is housed in a banjo-type casing
Dimensions
Wheelbase	129 in (3,300 mm)
Length	175.5 in (4,460 mm) or 183 in (4,600 mm) Track 56.5 in (1,440 mm)
Width	71 in (1,800 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	none
Successor	none

Overview
Production	44
Combustion chamber
Configuration	90°V-8
Displacement	2,849 cubic centimetres (174 cu in)
Cylinder bore	69.5 mm (2.74 in)
Piston stroke	95.25 mm (3.750 in)
Valvetrain	inclined at 90° overhead valves worked by pushrods from three camshafts
Combustion
Fuel system	twin 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
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
Output
Power output	99 bhp @ 4,700 rpm Tax rating 23.8hp
Chronology
Predecessor	Riley 8/90 2¼-litre 90°V8
Successor	none

Autovia was a short lived brand of British car from Coventry existing from 1935 to 1938 with production starting in January 1937. The venture was ambitious and even included setting up a school for chauffeurs. The cars were expensive and it was a market sector well served by other companies. 44 cars were made.

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°V-8, triple camshaft engine was developed from a pair of 1½-litre Riley engine blocks and coupled to either a conventional four speed manual gearbox or in a few cases a pre selector unit bought from Armstrong Siddeley. 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 Organisation Autovia was not resurrected.

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

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".

Specification

The specially designed chassis frame permits a low overall height and low floor line.
In addition to the details in the box on the right:

• wheels: Dunlop centre-lock wire 3.50" x 19" with nave plates
• tyres: 5.5" section on 19 inch wheels
• suspension by semi-elliptic springs from the two rigid axles is controlled by hydraulic shock absorbers, their resistance is controlled by the driver
• braking on all four wheels is mechanically actuated by rods with wedge operated shoes in 16 inch drums
• steering by worm and nut
• lubrication (of chassis items) is centralised and automatic

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:

• chassis £685
• five-seat saloon £975
• limousine £995

The London distributors would be Arthur Mulliner Limited of 54 Baker Street, W

The Autovia was also available as a bare chassis

File:Autovia 1938 Front.JPG Open two-seater registered September 1939

See also

• List of car manufacturers of the United Kingdom

External links

• Chassis as supplied to coachbuilders
  package would include: spare wheel and tyre, battery, lighting equipment, instrument panel (not visible in drawing)
• 1937 saloon by Arthur Mulliner 2007 sale description
• Sporting open two-seater