A sports car which hasn’t been produced since 1939 is set to hit the road again thanks to the efforts of a Midland motoring enthusiast.
The Atalanta is being revived after efforts to create one of the supercars of the time were cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War with production ending in 1939.
Staffordshire businessman Martyn Corfield, who has joined forces with renowned car restorer Trevor Farrington, is set to bring Atalanta Motors back to life.
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The new Atalanta still follows the pre-war blueprint of the original but the traditional coach-built body will use some of the best 21st century technology under its skin.
Unveiled at the recent Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, it marked the first time an all-new Atalanta had been seen since 1939. The reborn company is now taking enquiries for individual cars built to order.
The original Atalanta aimed to combine cutting-edge technology with stylish design, blistering performance, an exemplary ride and the finest driving dynamics. It was one of the few cars of its era that could reach 100mph.
They are principles that remain paramount almost 80 years on, according Mr Corfield, the managing director of Atalanta Motors.
“Atalanta is about style, innovation and performance,” said the Stone-based businessman. “By remaining true to the original Atalanta design principles, our wish is to reproduce the positive and enjoyable characteristics of vintage motoring in a reliable and usable manner that is relevant to today’s driving environment.
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“As in the 1930s, we will provide the opportunity to commission an individual Atalanta to the customer’s exacting requirements.”
Speaking about the attributes of the new version, Mr Corfield added: “The new Atalanta gives a stylish, exhilarating drive with easily accessible performance and a comfortable ride with engaging handling which delivers driver satisfaction.”
The new models feature a body made of hand-beaten aluminium over an ash wood chassis and 90 per cent of the components are being designed and engineered in-house.
Originally launched in 1936 in Staines, Middlesex, Atalanta adopted an innovative approach to design to create what many believe was the most technically advanced British sportscar of the era.
Available in a variety of body styles – ranging from an open two-seater sportscar to a luxury two-door saloon – the lightweight Atalantas featured ground-breaking technology such as independent coil spring suspension, hydraulic brakes, an early semi-automatic gearbox, a supercharger and the extensive use of lightweight metals like electron, duralumin and hiduminium.
But the dream failed to become reality and just 21 cars were produced before Europe descended into war.
Mr Corfield is a lifelong car enthusiast with an interest in vehicles spanning the Edwardian, vintage and post-vintage eras.
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In 2007, he undertook a project to recreate the 1954 Austin Healey 100/4 Bonneville record car and later used it to break several 海角视频 and international speed records.
Following his acquisition of the 1938 Atalanta works Le Mans car, he became fascinated by the history of the company and purchased several more cars, something which spurred his passion to revive the marque.
Mr Farrington has been restoring vintage cars and preparing historic racers from his base in Cheshire for more than 25 years and is also the owner of an Atalanta single-seater racing car.
The new Atalanta features a light chassis, disc brakes, non-assisted rack and pinion steering and is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 200bhp.
It also has trademark tall and narrow tyres designed to combine both feel and ride comfort.
Atalanta’s return has been welcomed by racing legend John Surtees and the son of one of the firm’s original founders.
Mr Surtees, the only man who has been a world champion on both two and four wheels, said: “It is nice to see that enthusiasts still exist and are willing to put their heart and resources into such a project as the Atalanta.”
Rory Watson, the son of Atalanta Motors co-founder Neil Watson, said: “I never thought that something that my father helped create all those years ago would be revived.
“I’m sure my father would be very proud of what Martyn Corfield and his team have achieved at Atalanta Motors.”
No prices have yet been released by Atalanta Motors but when the revival was first mooted in 2012 it said it expected a new model would cost under £100,000.
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