The very first Rigore whose performance made a statement to the world.
Unveiled at the 1965 New York World’s Fair, the Rigore Angeles was a sports saloon designed to compete with the likes of BMMA, Leviathan Motor Company, and other luxury brands, the Angeles packed almost 2 decades worth of racing-engine pedigree into the Angeles’ compact and practical body shape. Only available with a SOHC 159 CI (2.6 L) Boxer-6 derived from its roots in racing, the powerplant was able to produce a healthy 148 HP. Combined with 4-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes, reviewers named the Angeles a “true sports car in a stylish sedan body.” The sleek shell was formed to emulate European sports cars of the time, with a fastback-esque rear window treatment. The small detail elements around the Angeles helped solidify the car as a design phenom for the time, especially compared to the physically larger competition that the car contended with.
The lightweight Angeles had a few struggles that made it hard to compete in a class of luxury and elegance - for example, the interior was well-crafted but lacked amenities that other cars had at the time such as 5 or more seats, a high-quality radio, or an option for an automatic transmission. However, what it lacked in features it more than made up for on the road - compliant suspension and sharp steering meant that the Angeles was one of the finest sports sedans on the road. It was lauded internationally for its handling prowess which made the car highly successful on track. The surprise success of the Angeles helped to create a path for Rigore to grow and expand as the years progressed, and the spirit of the original “Angel” is one that permeates every vehicle produced by Rigore to this day.
