Alvis – Forgotten maker? Not anymore!

UAE Driver had the opportunity to visit the popular DIMS, and it certainly was worth it. Out of all the vehicles on display, one manufacturer caught our attention. Alvis. Who? ALVIS. The Alvis Car Company, the last of the true all-Brit manufacturers. This company was an inevator in it’s day and has quite a history. Here are some quick facts:
1919 – Alvis Car Company was established by T. G. John.
1920 – Alvis begins manufacturing cars.
1925 – First car manufacturer to design and race a FWD car.
1928 – Manufacture and market a FWD production car.
1933 – Design world’s first all-synch gear box.
1939-45 – Produces engines for the RAF.
1940 – Car production halted due to WW2.
1967 – Car production ceased after 47 years.
1968 – Continued to produce parts and restore cars for owners.
2010 – Car production recommences.
2015 – The Continuation Series models are available.
So what attracted us to spend time with Alvis? The cars. Myself, in particular appreciate cars from the 20’s and 30’s. I had the opportunity to visit the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse, Alsace, France in 2013 which has a large collection of French cars from this period. Running boards, immense mounted headlamps, long hoods hiding straight sixes, V8’s and V12’s with large displacements, non-aerodynamic shapes – an era of cars no longer in design, let alone production. And then I discover Alvis at DIMS. Not having any knowledge of this company, their respresentative, took the time to explain the cars that Alvis has ressurected. I was blown away. The passion the Alvis staff have for their cars is both encouraging and addictive. After some time, I did not want to leave the stand. The four vehicles that Alvis is producing, were at their stand, and are encapulating. I was mesmirized by their beauty. The clean lines, the detailing, the finish… it was heavenly. For a time I had lost interest in any other vehicle or stand.
Three of the four models come with the famed Alvis straight-six 4.3 liter (268 CID) and modern tweaks to conform to modern safety standards. The other has the 3.0 in-line six cylinder and modern refinements too. Fortunately these updates are all mechanical, perhaps the only way to tell these cars are new are by the arrangement of the rear lights – even that I was pushed to spot this!
Another staggering fact is that the 4.3 liter model which has been discontinued for 75 years, will carry the car and chassis numbers that had been allocated all those years ago. A rare claim indeed for these cars. Hence the name, ‘Continuation Series’. In addition, each custom-tailored vehicle is hand-built averaging 5000 man-hours.
I had a hard time choosing my favorite, but after some thought referring back to why I appreciate these old cars, it would be the 4.3 liter Lancefield Concealed Hood because it has all the features and feel of a 20’s-30’s car. The two other striking 4.3 liter models are the Vanden Plas Tourer and Bertelli Sports Coupe. And just as appealing is the 3.0 liter Park Wood Drop Head Coupe. Better get your orders in quick, dear readers, only 25 will be available of each model!
For the sharp-eyed readers, you may recognise the Vanden Plas Tourer being driven in ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’. A 4.3 liter model replica was used in the TV series ‘Poirot’, and other big screen Alvis model appearances are a 1926 15/50 in ‘Jeeves And Wooster’ series and a 1928 12/60 driven by Michael Caine in ‘Battle Of Britain’.
Thank you for reading, and keep an eye out for more DIMS reviews.