Tuesday 22nd June 2010

Alvis 4.3 Litre Short Chassis Revived

There's a new car down at Goodwood swears it's Alvis, etc...

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An original with Vanden Plas coachwork

If you want an authentic short chassis Alvis 4.3 Litre from the late 1930's you'll probably pay £400k at auction, but a brand new 'continuation' model has just been announced with a £170k start price.

Established Alvis specialist Red Triangle is the outfit behind this bold relaunch of a pre-war classic, and you will be able to see the first fruits of the project at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Described as the fastest non-supercharged car of its era, we're told just eleven cars were built in the configuration being offered to enthusiasts again today. War stopped production back in 1940, but original Alvis boardroom documents show the company had sanctioned a total of 77 chassis for production, giving the modern day project its 'continuation' status.

Keep your LED DRLs, we'll take these!

The new cars will be built to order with bodywork based closely on the Vanden Plas touring body pictured here. The new chassis will be remanufactured to original specs, and even the in-line six engine will be built from original blueprints using 'new old stock' and remanufactured parts. 20th century modifications will be limited to stuff like the adoption of hydraulic brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a high centre-mounted brake light required by regulation. The engine will be updated with fuel injection bringing it into line with modern day emissions requirements, as well as boosting its power output.

Apparently the newly formed Alvis Car Company plans other classic model reintroductions in a similar vein.

"This is part of our overall business plan," says 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."

(Get Goodwood tickets here)

[nsmith1180]

Ohhhhh, this is a good one, I hope it properly takes off, but if they are modernising for safety, why dont they build in some mod cons like navi and bluetooth, just do them in a period style?

[Goochie]

nsmith1180 said:

Ohhhhh, this is a good one, I hope it properly takes off, but if they are modernising for safety, why dont they build in some mod cons like navi and bluetooth, just do them in a period style?

"period style" LCD screens ?

[nsmith1180]

Goochie said:

nsmith1180 said:

Ohhhhh, this is a good one, I hope it properly takes off, but if they are modernising for safety, why dont they build in some mod cons like navi and bluetooth, just do them in a period style?

"period style" LCD screens ?

A couple of lights in the instruments to point the way, and bluetooth by voice command without a screen. It can be done, and it can be made to work without using LCD.

[jimbro1000]

The workshop that used to look after my racecar (many years ago) had one of these in the workshop under restoration and it was a truely magnificent vehicle. The attention to detail in the design was amazing, especially given the state of technology. I never got to see it run but it was a real privilege to see one up close.

Then again the Maserati Boomerang that they occasionally looked after was equally amazing...that would look right at home with a modernisation of lights and controls....

[300bhp/ton]

Insane and nuts, is there anything more PH?

[HowardB]

I agree with Chris-R, at least it has "proper" lights! A bit of history made better, not more modern!

I am just sad that I probably wont ever see it on the road, even with the £230,000 saving over the original it's not likely to be someone's daily drive!

Howard

[Fury1630]

That's a SHORT chassis??

nsmith1180 said:

Ohhhhh, this is a good one, I hope it properly takes off, but if they are modernising for safety, why dont they build in some mod cons like navi and bluetooth, just do them in a period style?

Crackly black & white screen & "Mr Chomondley-Warner" giving the directions - EXCELLENT!

[sunsurfer]

Fury1630 said:

That's a SHORT chassis??

nsmith1180 said:

Ohhhhh, this is a good one, I hope it properly takes off, but if they are modernising for safety, why dont they build in some mod cons like navi and bluetooth, just do them in a period style?

Crackly black & white screen & "Mr Chomondley-Warner" giving the directions - EXCELLENT!

excellent!

[JR]

Fury1630 said:

That's a SHORT chassis??

It's always been a bit of an odd name being only about 3" shorter than the standard chassis.

[sunsurfer]

Great for the new Alvis Car Company. This is what I like to see and I hope they can reintroduce a few more classic Alvises (What's the plural of Alvis - Alvii?).

I'd like to see less of the usual Merc/BMW/Jaguar/Porsche/Lexus etc and a few more people tootling around in a rebuilt classic Alvis.

I don't have the money so lets see the reintroduction of a cheaper Alvis

[JR]

sunsurfer said:

Great for the new Alvis Car Company. This is what I like to see and I hope they can reintroduce a few more classic Alvises (What's the plural of Alvis - Alvii?).

Easiest to say is Alvis cars.

[Stu R]

I hope it makes so much money for them that they throw a massive part, get the senior staff absolutely plastered, and dupe them into signing off an updated, yet pretty much exactly the same Stalwart

[williamp]

lovely. And I love ther "20th century modifications". We've only been in the 21st century for 10 years....

[Ed.]

williamp said:

lovely. And I love ther "20th century modifications". We've only been in the 21st century for 10 years....

20th century modifications are far enough for something like this

[AndrewW-G]

Whilst I think it looks fantastic and applaud the people responsible, could somebody please explain to me, how a NEW chassis can be remanufactured?

[predding]

My grandfather had one of these and my Dad regrets not buying it from him when he sold it. He also had an SE5a courtesy of the RFC but thats another story...

[Blown2CV]

My dad bought an old Alvis when I was just born, in the late 70s. Not sure on model sorry. I have fond memories throughout my early childhood of the car, although I don't remember ever riding in it, or it moving for that matter! Unfortunately it sat in the garage awaiting a resto that never happened. It was quite vast. Not sure what happened to it but I remember the flying lady (equivalent) hood ornament being sat on a plinth in his office for a good few years afterwards. I think the ornament sold for quite a large amount of money when he finally got rid of it. It was a fair large and weighty object.

[garethj]

Hmmmm, I wonder how it'll score on NCAP safety, particularly for pedestrians?

Nice idea, hope it sells.

[JR]

Blown2CV said:

My dad bought an old Alvis when I was just born, in the late 70s. Not sure on model sorry. I have fond memories throughout my early childhood of the car, although I don't remember ever riding in it, or it moving for that matter! Unfortunately it sat in the garage awaiting a resto that never happened. It was quite vast. Not sure what happened to it but I remember the flying lady (equivalent) hood ornament being sat on a plinth in his office for a good few years afterwards. I think the ornament sold for quite a large amount of money when he finally got rid of it. It was a fair large and weighty object.

Hare, eagle or running indian mascots.

[german tony]

's an interesting idea & as the son of a former Alvis Owner Club member I should be all for it. So I am.

Now, would the old codger please shuffle off so I can lay my hands on the neccesary loot?