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Sava 35/50 HP - gentleman's coupe body - manufactured in 1914
One of the many makes forgotten by time is Sava from Berchem near Antwerp, Belgium. During its relatively brief lifespan Sava produced quality cars which were exported to several countries in Europe, were successful in competition and played an important part in World War I. So there's plenty of history to be remembered for.
The history of Sava starts with a Mr. Dodelinger who started a company named Société de Constructions Mécaniques in Berchem, a suburb of Antwerp, in 1902. Amongst the first products were motorcycles with air-cooled single cylinders engines of 2 or 3 HP which were sold under the Royal Star brand name. In 1904 these motorcycles were joined by automobiles with 1, 2 or 4 cylinder engines, also called Royal Star. These well-build vehicles sold quite well and the product range grew rapidly. Larger cars with 6-cylinder twin-ignition engines and 29 or 37 HP followed in 1906. By then all Royal Star cars featured shaft drive instead of the old-fashioned chains.
In 1907 the Société de Constructions Mécaniques employed 300 workers and produced 300 automobile chassis and 1500 motorcycles annually, making it an important manufacturer. For further expansion the company looked for more capital. Ultimately an investor was found in David Brown from England, at the time a gear maker who later became famous for his tractor production and of course his involvement with Aston Martin (its DB models having his initials). With his help the company was reorganized in 1910 and renamed to "Société Anversoise pour la fabrication de Voitures Automobiles" (Antwerp's company for the production of automobile cars) which was aptly abbreviated into S.A.V.A. and displayed as Sava on the cars.
During the first years the range of cars of Royal Star was continued under the Sava name but now fitted with constant mesh gearboxes and worm drive rear axles produced by David Brown, who also represented Sava in England. Other countries in which Sava was represented were Spain and Italy. After 2 years the range was reduced to three 4-cylinder models: a 10/12 HP with an engine by Fondu, a 14/16 HP with side valve engine and a new 18/24 HP sporting model with an innovative engine which featured side inlet and overhead exhaust valves. It was this 3-litre model, and the more powerful 5-litre 35/50 HP version introduced soon after, that distinguished Sava in competition. These models were successfully entered in various races and rallys like events in Oostende and Spa (gaining the "Coupe du Roi") and the Rallye Bruxelles-San Sebastian. Most noted was claiming the fastest speed on a paved road at 124 kph by a Sava. In 1914 Sava entered the important British Tourist Trophy with a special model featuring a 3.3-litre engine with overhead valves and camshaft and double ignition.
Production of luxury and sporting cars came to an end when the hostilities of the first World War started in 1914. The Belgian Ministry of Defense requested Sava to manufacture armored cars which came to play an important part in the defense of Antwerp. Manned by a crew of three (a driver, a commander and a gunner) and armed with a Hotchkiss machine-gun in a turret the Sava "automitrailleuse", like those of fellow Belgian manufacturers Minerva and Morse, proved to be an important asset to the Belgian army and rapidly replaced horse drawn vehicles on the battlefield. Their finest moment was probably during the Siege of Antwerp, helping to defend their city of origin.
Unfortunately the Sava factory was rendered to rubble during the war and had to be rebuilt. Even so a new Sava luxury car was presented in 1918: the 20 HP model, based on the prewar 18/24 HP model and continuing the overhead valve engines and adding the option of front wheel brakes. Production was limited however due to reconstruction of the factory and economic difficulties. A last attempt was made to revive Sava in 1922 with the modern 15 HP model. It had a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine with overhead valves for both inlet and exhaust, 4-speed gearbox and front wheel brakes as an option. Like its ancestors it was a high quality car but it proved hard to find a market for it. After a small number of this model had been made Sava was bought in 1923 by its nearest competitor Minerva. The Sava factory was turned into a parts depot and repair facility for Minerva cars and the Sava name silently disappeared from the market.
Keeping the memory alive and the cars running from the long forgotten early era of motoring may not be as popular as enjoying cars from a more recent past which still can be remembered and regularly driven but is certainly worth while. These veteran cars are like simple time machines that instantly transport you to the past, linking you to the seemingly so distant people who made and used them. Behind them is a history worth telling, reviving the ingenious people that created them. I admire the people who invest in keeping these machines much older than themselves alive. Without them, who would have remembered this beautiful Sava with its powerful and unique engine?
© André Ritzinger, Amsterdam, Holland
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