Autovia

Autovia
limousine by Arthur Mulliner
EYX 464 registered September 1938
Overview
ManufacturerAutovia Cars Limited,
Ordnance Works, Midland Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5DX
Production1937-1938, public sales starting 1936
44 made
DesignerCharles van Eugen
Body and chassis
ClassLarge luxury
Body stylechassis
4-light sports saloon
6-light saloon
limousine
LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel drive
Related(engine) Riley 1½-litre I4
Riley 8/90 2¼-litre V8
Powertrain
Engine2,849 cc (174 cu in) V8
Transmissionsingle 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
Dimensions
Wheelbase129 in (3,277 mm)
Track 56.5 in (1,435 mm)
Length175.5 in (4,458 mm)
183 in (4,648 mm)
Width71 in (1,803 mm)
Chronology
Predecessornone
Successornone
Overview
Production44
Layout
Configuration90° V8
Displacement2,849 cubic centimetres (174 cu in)
Cylinder bore69.5 mm (2.74 in)
Piston stroke95.25 mm (3.750 in)
Valvetraininclined at 90° overhead valves worked by pushrods from three camshafts
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
Cooling systema 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 output99 bhp @ 4,700 rpm
Tax rating 23.8hp
Chronology
PredecessorRiley 8/90 2¼-litre 90°V8
Successornone

Autovia was a short lived brand of British cars from Coventry existing from 1935 to 1938 with production starting in January 1937. 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.