Alvis expands road-legal Continuation Series

Revived carmaker introduces a choice of two straight-six engines and six body styles

By Nic Cackett / Wednesday, 24 July 2019 / Loading comments

Those with particularly long memories - or an affinity for extinct British carmakers - may recall that we first reported on Alvis's revival almost a decade ago. The brand name was resuscitated by Red Triangle, the service and restoration firm established in the wake of the original manufacturer's demise - and the Kenilworth-based repository for nearly 22,000 car records and over 50,000 original works drawings.

The company has put its physical connection to the past to good use. Back when continuation cars were still something of a novelty (the heady days of 2010) it announced its intention to start making 'new' examples of the Alvis 4.3-litre Short Chassis - a Vanden Plas tourer from the marque's pre-war glory years. The first cars were built to order from the original spec and even featured a remanufactured era-faithful straight-six.

Naturally the result was achingly beautiful and reassuringly expensive - and apparently a success because now The Alvis Car Company has announced that it will expand its range in this its (sort of) centenary year. Now there will be a choice of two engines - the 4.3-litre and a 3.0-litre unit also of Alvis design, albeit with fuel injection and contemporary engine management fitted so that it meets current legislation requirements.

This consideration was crucial to gaining full IVA-approval and road-legal status for its Continuation Series, which opens up the rather splendid prospect of encountering one (or more) of six body derivatives in the real world. Prospective buyers will have the 3.0-litre Park Ward Drop Head, 3.0-litre Graber Super Coupe, 3.0-litre Graber Super Cabriolet, 4.3-litre Vanden Plas Tourer, 4.3-litre Bertelli Coupe and 4.3-litre Lancefield Concealed Hood to choose from.

Each car is hand-built at Red Triangle's Kenilworth Works facility and is said to take between 4-5,000 hours to complete. Customers are encouraged to visit the factory to review some the original blueprints and tailor an individual specification for their car. Some of the post-war variants will even feature unused chassis and engine blocks stored since the Alvis factory closed in 1968 - back by a three-year warranty.

"Our models are, literally, what Alvis would have created had it not halted production for over 50 years," explains Alan Stote, owner of The Alvis Car Company. "The factory had planned to build 150 4.3-litre chassis in 1938. As the site suffered serious damage by bombing in 1940, only 73 chassis were completed so we will continue that series, with new chassis, built to the original drawings."

While obviously respectful of its heritage, Red Triangle has not made itself entirely beholden to the past. Alongside updated internal components, you can also option an automatic gearbox and power steering on the 3.0-litre models - and even add air conditioning, servo-assisted brakes and, perish the thought, a stereo.

It all sounds extremely lovely - and plainly we're not alone in thinking so. Coinciding with its announcement, Alvis confirmed that it has signed an international partnership with Tokyo-based business Meij Sangyo, making it the exclusive dealer for Asia. "It underlines the enduring appeal of our cars that Meiji Sangyo wanted to be our distributor in the Far East. Knowing how quality is appreciated in Japan, our agreement with Meiji Sangyo is a huge recognition of our values."

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