Atalanta (1937 automobile)

The Atalanta was an English automobile manufactured from 1937 until 1939 by Atalanta Motors Ltd in Staines, Middlesex.

Two models were made. The 1937 sports car used Albert Gough's somewhat erratic 4 cylinder overhead cam 1½ litre 78 bhp and 2-litre 98 bhp engines with three valves per cylinder which had been previously fitted to some Frazer Nashes. An Arnott supercharged version was also available. The car had a tubular steel chassis and all round independent suspension using coil springs.

From 1938 the car could be had with a 4·3 litre V-12 Lincoln Zephyr engine giving 112 bhp which proved to be the more popular. The car had a 3 speed gearbox with dash mounted change. A four seat version on a slightly longer chassis was made as well as the two seaters.

The cars were very expensive and the outbreak of war stopped production after only about 20 cars were made.

Richard Gaylard Shattock revived the name after the Second World War with the RGS Atalanta, offering complete cars with fiberglass bodywork or parts kits until 1958. Lea-Francis, Ford and Jaguar engines were used.

There was another unconnected Atalanta company based in Greenwich, London which built a few 9hp four cylinder cars from 1916 to 1917.

Atalanta was a name also used on a car made by the rather mysterious Owen of London, England in about 1910. This company existed between 1899 and 1935 but seems to have made very few if any cars.