Born in Queens from Italian immigrant parents, Martin Rigore (ri-gor-ay) had picked up an interest in mechanics from a young age. In 1950 at the age of 22, Martin had founded Rigore Engineering and by the 1952 Corso di Fruinia had produced multiple Boxer-4 and Boxer-6 engines for racing. Many of the internationally lauded races of the era soon had public perception turned against them due to their poor safety and frequent accidents; Rigore’s business dwindled as did their profits. Action had to be taken on the brink of bankruptcy to keep the company afloat. In a rush of options, Martin consolidated whatever little money was left over from the engine business in order to develop the first Rigore vehicle; the Angeles. The original Angeles was a sleek 4-door sports saloon which amassed a large cult following. With a sporty and stylish demeanor, it swiftly solidified Rigore in the sports automobile market with over 4000 units sold in the first year and almost double the second year. It was praised for its precision handling, balanced flat-6 engine, but most of all putting an American twist on the typical European sports saloon. It was also a successful racing machine - the Angeles had won the Group 2 Open class at the 1970 Nürburgring 24h, cementing Rigore’s reputation as a performance company. it’s A more powerful, larger flat-6 would be used in the 1967 Rigore Mjölnir - Rigore’s second model. 5 years later, in 1972, there was a major revamp to the Angeles which split it into a 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan; both models were designed to stay true to the original sports coupe. This new Angeles would propel Rigore to the luxury car market.
The oil crisis’ of the 1970s were detrimental to all of America’s auto makers. Determined to adapt and overcome, Rigore responded quickly in 1974 by improving the Angeles with a more fuel-efficient engine and more comfortable suspension options. Sales remained steady, and Rigore would be able to release the larger Anubis in 1976, satisfying America’s desire for a larger model. As of 1980, Rigore was in the top 5 largest American car companies, and one of the few surviving American luxury car companies in Europe and Asia.
After the murkiness of the 1970’s, the 80’s was a breath of fresh air for Rigore. Different technological advancements from motorsport and public innovation would find their way into new Rigore models each year. Elaborate electronic driver aids transformed Rigore vehicles into class-leading cars in design, innovation, and driving dynamics. Revealed in 1982, the Elbrus SUV featured all of the power and prowess of other Rigore’s but with the addition of a luxuriously appointed interior and all-terrain capability. The 1982 Mjölnir introduced turbocharging to the Rigore lineup and officially introduced the “MT-R” nameplate to the scene, mating street legal cars and racing pedigree together.
The 1990’s continued to show a luxurious growth of the Rigore brand, with the ultra-luxury Nassau releasing in 1990 at the Geneva Motor Show. The Valhalla was the pinnacle of Rigore’s lineup with a high-tech interior including a touch-screen “Graphics Control Center.” The Apophis Coupe was released following 1990, combining the luxurious style of the Nassau with the sportiness found in Rigore’s “MT-R” lineup. The Angeles persisted as Rigore’s best selling model, accumulating over 150,000 global units in the year 1993. The new 1996 Angeles was named Motor Trend 's COTY, and Rigore remained a consistent visitor at Car and Driver’s 10 Best list.
Rigore, since it’s small roots in Queens, has sought out to elevate themselves constantly to an even higher quality standard. The compact sedan Caelum introduced in 2001, has become increasingly efficient, dynamic, and luxurious. In 2007, the first Seneca luxury crossover graced showroom floors. In 2014, the Elysian compact SUV hit the roads and became an immediate best-seller. 2016 marked the re-introduction of the Mjölnir nameplate after a 7 year hiatus, marking a true return to form of performance engineering. Rigore and Shromet entered the American Electic Vehicle Agreement (AEVA) in 2017 to fund and engineer all-new electric car platforms, initiating a new clean future for the companies; the Rigore Vulnair was the first Rigore product to come out of the agreement, released in late 2019. 2020 saw the release of the Lynesse sports-electric SUV. Today, all of our cars keep the soul made by the “Angel”, instilled with a natural poise and precision that found only in Rigore automobiles. Perfection in performance is promised with every Rigore.
