Insider Media Limited

A Staffordshire-based entrepreneur is preparing to revive a classic car brand first launched 75 years ago. Martyn Corfield bought the Atalanta Motors business, which traded before the Second World War, and told Insider interest in its niche designs had been received from China and Abu Dhabi ahead of the spring 2012 relaunch.

Atalanta Motors has been re-established in Staffordshire after Corfield purchased the company rights two years ago. He is now preparing to manufacture up to 21 of the classic car designs every year.

Production of the vehicles was halted in 1939. Prior to this, just 21 were made in the three years leading up to the breakout of the war.

"Atalanta is one of the greatest untold British Motoring heritage stories," said Corfield. "The cars and the team that delivered the original concept were so ahead of their time. What might have been had the war not interrupted development?

"I'm very passionate about these vehicles and what they stand for – it has always been my intention to try and revive the brand's legacy."

Corfield said the 2012 version of the cars would have "as few differences as possible" to their 1936 counterparts.

"We'll use more modern technology of course, but outwardly, they will remain true to the 1930s design," he confirmed.

The car enthusiast said he had already received "firm enquiries" from potential customers in Abu Dhabi and China as well as the UK. Five forward orders have been placed ahead of next year's launch.

"We're not looking to produce hundreds and thousands of the vehicles," said Corfield. "We want to keep it a luxury, niche product. Before the war, only 21 were made, and we'd like to cap it at that for the first year."

He said the company was sourcing products from local sources.

"We are using a number of local companies, nearby foundries and fabricators. We want to keep as much of the product created here in the West Midlands as possible."