The History


A way of understanding the automobile. Where the past does not repeat itself, it evolves.

The origins

Passion for the automobile rarely arises out of nowhere. Sometimes it is inherited like a silent language passed down through generations. In the case of Juanjo Duelo Riu, founder of Orleans Cars, that bond with the engine had deep roots.

His grandfather, Juan Riu, stood out in the early chapters of 20th-century motorsport. An engineer by training with an inquisitive spirit, he took part in the first races held at the legendary Autódromo Terramar during the 1920s and 30s, when racing was still an act of bravery and technical curiosity.

The Spanish Civil War interrupted that era and forced him into exile. He fought in the Battle of Narvik in 1940, was wounded and hospitalized in Edinburgh, and after recovery was recruited by the British Secret Services during World War II.

Once the war ended, cars once again took a central place in his life. In 1950 he participated in the first edition of the mythical Panamericana Race, one of the toughest events ever held, driving a Mercury with number 104. Years later he founded the Club Los Tortugas in Bogotá, today the most important car club in Colombia, and helped introduce European sports cars to the country.

Juan Riu’s life reflects an unforgettable era: engineering, exile, war, intelligence and automobiles united by the same thread, character, curiosity, and courage.

From the late 1940s and for two decades, Juan Riu introduced British sports car marques to Colombia as their exclusive importer.
In 1949, Estadio magazine, pivotal in the development of Colombia’s sports press, dedicated a cover to Juan Riu, nicknamed “La Pulga” (“The Flea”) for racing small British cars.
Juan Riu, organizador de la comperición “Circuito Central Colombiano” de 1952, entregando el trofeo al ganador, el “Ganso” Garzón. Fuente: Libro 60º Aniversario Club Los Tortugas. Orleans Classic Cars
Este fue el primer MG TD importado por Juan Riu a Colombia en 1949, fruto de su acuerdo con MG Car Company. Fuente: 60º Aniversario Club Los Tortugas. Orleans classic cars
Juan Riu corria en Colombia con vehiculos de las marcas que él representaba e importaba. El Standard Eight en 1949 o el MG TD en 1959 son dos ejemplos. Orleans Classic Cars
From the late 1940s and for two decades, Juan Riu introduced British sports car marques to Colombia as their exclusive importer.
In 1949, Estadio magazine, pivotal in the development of Colombia’s sports press, dedicated a cover to Juan Riu, nicknamed “La Pulga” (“The Flea”) for racing small British cars.
Juan Riu, organizer of the 1952 “Central Colombian Circuit” competition, presenting the trophy to the winner, “El Ganso” Garzón. Source: 60th Anniversary Book of Club Los Tortugas.
This was the first MG TD imported to Colombia by Juan Riu in 1949, as a result of his agreement with MG Car Company. Source: 60th Anniversary of Club Los Tortugas.
Juan Riu raced in Colombia with vehicles from the marques he represented and imported. The Standard Eight in 1949 and the MG TD in 1959 are two examples.

Orleans car workshop

In 1995, Juanjo Duelo Riu founded Taller Orleans on Duquesa de Orleans Street in Barcelona. It wasn’t a conventional car workshop, it was a cult space dedicated to classic car restoration and maintenance.

Authentic automotive jewels passed through its doors: from a 1917 Hispano-Suiza to a 1952 Continental Bentley, a rare 1967 Maserati Frua (of which only three exist worldwide), Jags E-Types, Jags Mk2, several Austin Healeys, and many other irreplaceable pieces.

Each car was treated with respect, judgment, and sensitivity. The work wasn’t just mechanical, it was about the history and soul of each car. That approach would forever shape Orleans’ way of understanding automobiles.

Taller orleans classic cars años 1990
Detalle interior de un singular Maserati Frua de 1967, del que solo se construyeron tres unidades.
El V8 del Maserati Frua
Austin-Healey MkIII protagonizó el primer reportaje que la televisión emitió sobre Orleans cars en 1996
Juanjo Duelo introdujo un área de servicios complementarios en los recién fundados talleres Orleans, que incluían gestoria, seguros, importación, etc.
Tras la inauguración de los talleres, se lanzó la revista “Orleans Clásicos” destinada a clientes y suscriptores. Orleans cars
Taller orleans classic cars años 1990
In a short time, Orleans began to specialize in British-built engines.
Detalle interior de un singular Maserati Frua de 1967, del que solo se construyeron tres unidades.
Interior detail of a rare 1967 Maserati “Frua,” of which only three examples were built.
El V8 del Maserati Frua
The V8 engine of the Maserati Frua.
Austin-Healey MkIII protagonizó el primer reportaje que la televisión emitió sobre Orleans cars en 1996
This Austin-Healey MkIII starred in the first television feature ever broadcast about Orleans in 1996.
Juanjo Duelo introdujo un área de servicios complementarios en los recién fundados talleres Orleans, que incluían gestoria, seguros, importación, etc.
Juanjo Duelo introduced a complementary services division within the newly founded Orleans cars workshop, including administrative services, insurance, importation, and more.
Tras la inauguración de los talleres, se lanzó la revista “Orleans Clásicos” destinada a clientes y suscriptores. Orleans cars
Following the inauguration of the workshops, the magazine “Orleans Clásicos” was launched for clients and subscribers.

The spirit of the Dakar

For over twenty years, Juanjo was closely linked to the Dakar Rally. He sponsored teams, supported top-level drivers (including Arcarons, Roma, Gallardo, and Arenas), and worked as an ambassador for the NGO Aldeas Infantiles in Senegal.

When the Dakar was canceled in 2008 due to security threats in Mauritania, Juanjo and his team decided to continue with their solidarity project A Different Dakar. They crossed Africa anyway to honor their commitment to children in Senegal. The only group to do so.

The press summed it up clearly:
they weren’t competing for a trophy, they were on a mission.

That same coherent and committed spirit continues today at Orleans Cars.

The Bowler Wildcat 220 of the “Un Dakar Diferente” team, driven by Xavier Arenas, in front of the SOS Children’s Villages headquarters in Senegal. Dakar 2007. Orleans Cars · Juanjo Duelo Riu
The Bowler Wildcat 220 of the “Un Dakar Diferente” team, driven by Xavier Arenas, in front of the SOS Children’s Villages headquarters in Senegal. Dakar 2007.

Orleans Classic Cars today

Over time, Orleans stopped being a traditional workshop. Today, Orleans Cars is dedicated to the transformation and sale of vehicles with a clear philosophy.

On one hand is the Jag STO project, a reinterpretation of the Jaguar S-Type conceived from a younger, more provocative, emotional perspective. Each unit starts from an original S-Type and is artisanally transformed while respecting its essence and redefining its character. Tuned suspension, custom homologated exhaust systems, and unmistakable visual design make each Jag STO a declaration of principles. It’s not about improving a car, it’s about reinterpreting an attitude.

On the other hand, Orleans Cars works with a carefully selected range of American Classic Cars, vehicles that share the same philosophy: character, presence, and clear identity, far removed from the conventional.

Jag STO 09 versión color Olive Track
Jag STO 09 versión color Executive Silver
Jag STO 04 color Scarlet Legend
Jag STO 09 versión color Olive Track
Jag STO 09 versión color: Olive Track
Jag STO 09 versión color Executive Silver
Jag STO 02 color Executive Silver
Jag STO 04 color Scarlet Legend
Jag STO 04 color Scarlet Legend

The moment of a beginning

Thirty years after opening the first car workshop, Juanjo Duelo Riu officially presented the Jag STO at the Hotel Primero Primera in Barcelona.

The choice of venue wasn’t accidental — this boutique hotel, with the essence of an English club and timeless elegance, belongs to the Pérez-Sala family, closely connected to motorsport. It was the perfect setting to unite tradition, British sophistication, and passion for cars.

The presentation completed a circle that began decades earlier, turning a personal story into a tangible vision.

The next Orleans project in three words:

Rolls-Royce.
Christian Dior.
Dakar.

What comes next will inevitably leave a mark.

Presentation of the Jag STO project by Orleans Classic Cars.
Juanjo Duelo Riu, fundador de Orleans Classic Cars en la presentación del Jag STO
El Jag STO 07 en color Sakura Miami Pink, un guiño rebelde en referencia al Jaguar Type 00 electrico, presentado en Miami exclusivamente en color rosa.
El Jag STO 05 British Racing Green, el clásico. Cambio manual.
El Jag STO 09 Ecurie Ecosse Blue, un tributo a la legendaria y mítica escudería escocesa.
El Jag STO-R 03 Metal Black. El felino convertido en bestia. Basado en el Jaguar S-TYPE-R 4.2 Supercharger Serie II
Presentation of the Jag STO project by Orleans Classic Cars.
Presentation of the Jag STO project by Orleans Classic Cars.
Juanjo Duelo Riu, fundador de Orleans Classic Cars en la presentación del Jag STO
Juanjo Duelo Riu, founder of Orleans Classic Cars.
El Jag STO 07 en color Sakura Miami Pink, un guiño rebelde en referencia al Jaguar Type 00 electrico, presentado en Miami exclusivamente en color rosa.
The Jag STO in Sakura Miami Pink, a rebellious nod to the electric Jaguar Type 00, unveiled in Miami exclusively in pink.
El Jag STO 05 British Racing Green, el clásico. Cambio manual.
The Jag STO in British Racing Green, the classic of all classics. Naturally, with a manual transmission.
El Jag STO 09 Ecurie Ecosse Blue, un tributo a la legendaria y mítica escudería escocesa.
The Jag STO in Ecurie Ecosse Blue, a tribute to the legendary Scottish racing team.
El Jag STO-R 03 Metal Black. El felino convertido en bestia. Basado en el Jaguar S-TYPE-R 4.2 Supercharger Serie II
The Jag STO-R in Metal Black. The feline transformed into a beast.
Shopping Basket
Scroll to Top