Alvis 4.3 Litre

(from Alvis Press Release)  21st Century future for legendary Alvis model

The Alvis Car Company will be using the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month to announce details of a unique project to re-introduce a renowned1930's Alvis model using the original technical drawings, allied to the latest CAD/CAM technology.

Red Triangle, the well-established Alvis service company, which owns the Alvis cars brand and trademarks, has evidence from the original Alvis company board minutes that 77 of the chassis that were officially sanctioned for production were never fulfilled because car production had to be suspended in 1940. The newly formed Alvis Car Company will announce details of a continuation series of these cars at Goodwood and will be displaying on their stand a brand new 4.3 Litre chassis and engine. These are the first steps towards the reintroduction of the famous Alvis 4.3 Litre model, 71 years after the last 4.3 Litre Alvis was produced.

The 4.3 Litre Alvis was the fastest non-supercharged production car of its day, and the continuation series will live up to that heritage. Manufactured from the original drawings, the 4.3 Litre Alvis in-line six cylinder engine will be faithful to the 1936 design, in maintaining all its period character and quality, yet by utilising modern technology it will be emission compliant. Moreover, by using modern materials, fuel injection and engine management, this powerplant will deliver even more horsepower.

“This is part of our overall business plan,” said Alan Stote, Red Triangle and Alvis Car Company proprietor: “to maintain service to existing Alvis owners but also to reintroduce selected authentic Alvis models in line with the vision of the Alvis Board all those years ago. Visitors to Goodwood will be able to see the first stages of that plan.”

History

Alvis was a company of true automobile engineers. Everything from the concept to the finished rolling chassis was designed and engineered by Alvis, complemented by a range of eye-catching bodywork from leading coach builders of the time. The result: cars of outstanding reliability, impressive performance and stunning good looks.

Alvis key event timeline

1920 T. G. John begins manufacturing Alvis cars in Coventry with coachwork supplied by Cross & Ellis and Carbodies.

1925 A supercharged Alvis front wheel drive laps Brooklands at 104 mph.

1926 Alvis design and race the first straight eight front wheel drive Grand Prix racing car.

1928 The Alvis Company manufacture and market the world's first front wheel drive production car.

1933 Alvis design the world's first all synchromesh gear box and initiate the first British car with independent front suspension.

1939 to 1945 The Alvis Company controls 21 'shadow' factories producing aero engines for the RAF.

1952 Alec Issigonis joins Alvis to design a prototype 3500cc V8 engine.

1959 History is made when the first hovercraft SR.N 1 crosses the Channel powered by an Alvis Leonides engine.

1965 Alvis merges with Rover.

1967 After 47 years and manufacturing almost 22,000 motor vehicles Alvis cease car production.

1968 The ex-employees, helped by the Alvis Company, create Red Triangle. Alvis pass everything to the new company - the complete stock of parts, nearly 22,000 car records and over 50,000 works drawings, technical data sheets and correspondence files.