Alvis Cars

Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd.
legal form	Limited Company
founding	1919 (as TG John and Co. Ltd. )
Seat	Coventry , England
management	George Thomas Smith-Clarke (Chief Engineer) W. M. Dunn (chief designer)
Branch	Automobile manufacturers , aircraft manufacturers , defense industry , engine manufacturers

The Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was in Coventry , England , based company that produced 1,920 to 1,967 cars in the luxury class. The company also manufactured aircraft engines and military vehicles , the latter even after the production of new automobiles ceased. After a takeover by Rover, Alvis’s auto division was finally absorbed by the British Leyland group. A successor company still produces replicas of classic Alvis vehicles under the Alvis Car Company .

history

Alvis hood ornament: eagle

Alvis 12/75 from 1928

The original company, TG John and Co. Ltd., was founded in 1919. The first products were stationary engines , carburetor housings for the manufacturer Zenith and the light scooter Stafford Mobile Pub. In the autumn of 1919, the designer Geoffrey de Freville suggested to the founder T. G. John to produce a four-cylinder engine designed by him.

Automobile production

The first car model, the 10/30, used de Freville's design and sold well from the start. The company logo (an upside-down red triangle with the word Alvis) has been used since then. In 1921 the company changed its name to "Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd." and moved to new manufacturing facilities on Holyhead Road in Coventry; production remained there until November 1940, when the facilities were destroyed in the devastating German air raids on the city.

In 1923, Captain George Thomas Smith-Clarke joined as chief engineer and shortly afterwards W. M. Dunn as chief designer. This partnership lasted 25 years.

The original 10/30 engine with side valves was further developed by 1923 into the OHV 12/50, which is still used successfully in historic motorsport today. About 350 12/50 hp and 60 12/60 hp still exist today. This corresponds to approx. 10% of the production at that time. In 1927 the six-cylinder 14/75 hp Alvis was produced. This engine was the basis of a long line of six cylinder Alvis cars built until 1939 before being replaced by an entirely new shape from 1950 to 1967.

Last car model from Alvis: The TF 21 from 1966

Before the Second World War , Alvis was in a similar market segment as Aston Martin or Bentley . After the end of the war, Alvis made its debut with the so-called Three Liter Series , a range of sporty sedans and convertibles with a 3.0 liter in-line six-cylinder engine, the first version of which was sold as the TA 21 . Similar to other British luxury manufacturers, Alvis limited itself to producing chassis, engines and transmissions, while the superstructures were supplied by independent coachbuilders. Alvis obtained the open bodies (TB 21) from AP Metalcraft , while the superstructures of the closed models (TA 21) were manufactured by Mulliners of Birmingham . The successor model TC 21/100, which differed from the TA 21 in technical terms mainly through a more powerful engine with now 100 bhp and was nicknamed the Gray Lady in a further evolutionary stage , was factory-made with closed bodies from Mulliners or as a convertible with Tickford -Body delivered. Stylistically, these vehicles with their shaped fenders and side running boards were considered old-fashioned and “downright antiquated”. The connection between Alvis and Mulliner ended in the summer of 1955 when Mulliner was taken over - initially in part - by the British high-volume manufacturer Standard Triumph . Standard Triumph will in future utilize the production facilities in Birmingham with series bodies for its own models. The last TC21 with a Mulliner body was completed in the summer of 1955. Since Tickford was taken over by David Brown and connected to Aston Martin at about the same time, Alvis no longer had a body supplier from the summer of 1955. After the Alvis TA 350 , a technically ambitious sedan with a self-supporting body and eight-cylinder V-engine, which had been developed by Alec Issigonis since 1952 , had to be abandoned at the trial stage for financial reasons, the company management considered permanently discontinuing automobile production in the summer of 1955. 1956 saw a new beginning with the help of the Swiss Alvis importer Graber . Graber designed a contemporary body in the pontoon style , with which Alvis was stylistically up to date. After initial difficulties with the new body supplier Willowbrook , who produced fewer than 20 standard TC 108 / G bodies in two years , Park Ward took over body production for Alvis in 1958. In the following 10 years, the company achieved four-digit emissions again. However, in the mid-1960s, interest in the TD21 and TE21 models decreased significantly. A particular problem turned out to be the performance of the engines, which were still designed by Alvis. Objectively it was sufficient; the immediate competitors such as AC , Bristol or Jensen were able to offer more and more power because they had meanwhile switched to US eight-cylinder engines. Alvis couldn't do it justice.

In 1965 Rover took over the traditional company. The TF 21 was the last new passenger car to appear under the Alvis brand. It was developed under the Rover management.

Takeover by Rover

Prototype with V8 engine developed by Rover: Alvis GTS "Gladys" (1966)

Rover had no interest in the continued existence of the Alvis brand and discontinued production. The Rover-Alvis P6-BS was developed together, a compact mid-engined sports car with Rover's own V8 engine; however, there was no longer any production. The same applies to the Alvis GTS hatchback coupé designed by David Bache , which, according to initial plans, was to replace the TF 21. However, he only created a prototype called "Gladys". There was also the idea to revive the production of the Lagonda Rapide under the name Alvis; it was also not pursued any further.

In 1981 Alvis was taken over by United Scientific Holdings plc , which changed its name to Alvis plc in 1992. In October 2002 Alvis plc acquired the Vickers Defense Systems subsidiary from Rolls-Royce and formed Alvis Vickers with it . In 2004 BAE Systems took over this company. BAE Systems has since held the naming rights to Alvis.

From 2009: Alvis Car Company

After the cessation of automobile production, the inventory, the construction plans and part of the staff were transferred to the Red Triangle company, which was subsequently involved in the restoration of Alvis vehicles. The company took over the naming rights in 2009 and has operated under the Alvis Car Company ever since . For several years now, the company has been offering replicas of some classic Alvis models that are based on old Alvis chassis, but are otherwise completely new.

Automobile models

Models 1920–1940

Type	Construction period	Cylinder / valve control	Displacement	power	image
10/30	1920-1923	4 / sv	1460 cc	30 bhp (22 kW)
11/40	1921-1922	4 / sv	1598 cc	30 bhp (22 kW)
12/40	1922-1924	4 / sv	1598 cc	30 bhp (22 kW)
12/50 SA	1923-1924	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 SB	1923-1924	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 SC	1924-1925	4 / ohv	1598 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 SD	1927-1929	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 TE	1926	4 / ohv	1645 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 TF	1926	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 dives	1927-1929	4 / ohv	1645 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 TH	1927-1928	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/50 TJ	1930-1932	4 / ohv	1645 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
12/60 TK	1931-1932	4 / ohv	1645 cc	52 bhp (38 kW)
12/60 TL	1932	4 / ohv	1645 cc	52 bhp (38 kW)
Firefly	1932-1934	4 / ohv	1496 cc	50 bhp (37 kW)
Firebird	1934-1936	4 / ohv	1842 cc	55 bhp (40 kW)
12/70	1937-1940	4 / ohv	1842 cc	62.5 bhp (46 kW)
FWD FA	1928-1929	4 / ohc	1482 cc	50-75 bhp (37-55 kW)
FWD FB	1928	4 / ohc	1482 cc	50-75 bhp (37-55 kW)
FWD FD	1928-1929	4 / ohc	1482 cc	50-75 bhp (37-55 kW)
FWD FE	1928-1929	4 / ohc	1482 cc	50-75 bhp (37-55 kW)
FWD 8/15	1929-1930	8 / dohc	1491 cc	125 bhp (92 kW)
14/75	1927-1929	6 / ohv	1870 cc
Silver Eagle SA	1930	6 / ohv	2148 cc	72 bhp (53 kW)
Silver Eagle SD	1930	6 / ohv	1991 cc
Silver Eagle SE	1931	6 / ohv	1991 cc
Silver Eagle TB	1931	6 / ohv	2148 cc
Silver Eagle SF	1934-1935	6 / ohv	2148 cc
Silver Eagle SG	1935-1936	6 / ohv	2362 cc	66 bhp (48.5 kW)
Crested Eagle TD	1933-1935	6 / ohv	2511 cc
Crested Eagle TE	1933-1935	6 / ohv	2148-2511 cc
Crested Eagle TF	1936	6 / ohv	2762 cc	77 bhp (56.6 kW)
Crested Eagle TK	1936	6 / ohv	2762 cc	77 bhp (56.6 kW)
Crested Eagle TJ	1937-1939	6 / ohv	2762 cc	77 bhp (56.6 kW)
Crested Eagle TK	1937-1939	6 / ohv	2762 cc	77 bhp (56.6 kW)
Crested Eagle TA	1937	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
Crested Eagle TB	1937	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
Crested Eagle TC	1938-1940	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
Crested Eagle TD	1938-1939	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
Silver Crest TF	1936-1940	6 / ohv	2362 cc	68 bhp (50 kW)
Silver Crest TH	1937-1940	6 / ohv	2762 cc	95 bhp (70 kW)
Speed ​​20 SA	1932-1933	6 / ohv	2511 cc	87 bhp (64 kW)
Speed ​​20 SB	1933-1935	6 / ohv	2511 cc	87 bhp (64 kW)
Speed ​​20 SC	1935	6 / ohv	2762 cc	87 bhp (64 kW)
Speed ​​20 SD	1935-1936	6 / ohv	2762 cc	87 bhp (64 kW)
3½ liter	1935-1936	6 / ohv	3571 cc	102 bhp (75 kW)
Speed ​​25 SB	1936-1938	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
Speed ​​25 SC	1938-1940	6 / ohv	3571 cc	106 bhp (78 kW)
4.3 liter	1937-1940	6 / ohv	4387 cc	137 bhp (101 kW)

Models 1945–1967

Type	Construction period	Cylinder / valve control	Displacement	power	image
TA 14	1945-1950	4 / ohv	1892 cc	65 bhp (48 kW)
TB 14	1948-1951	4 / ohv	1892 cc	68 bhp (50 kW)
TA 21	1950-1953	6 / ohv	2993 cc	83-93 bhp (61-67.6 kW)
TB 21	1950-1953	6 / ohv	2993 cc	95 bhp (70 kW)
TC 21/100	1953-1956	6 / ohv	2993 cc	100 bhp (74 kW)
TC 108 / G	1955-1958	6 / ohv	2993 cc	104 bhp (76.5 kW)
TD 21	1958-1963	6 / ohv	2993 cc	115 bhp (84.5 kW)
TE 21	1963-1965	6 / ohv	2993 cc	130 bhp (95.5 kW)
TF 21	1965-1967	6 / ohv	2993 cc	150 bhp (110 kW)

Alvis Saladin FV601

Alvis Saracen FV603

Military vehicles

Right from the start, Alvis was involved in the development of military wheeled vehicles with the same off-road capabilities as a tracked vehicle, and since 1956 has taken over the series production of the six-wheeled FV 600 (Fighting Vehicle 600) series for the British Army .

The Alvis Saladin FV601 was introduced as a reconnaissance tank in the British Army and proved to be a sales success. All Commonwealth and some others, such as B. the Federal Republic of Germany, bought this weapon carrier in large numbers. He was employed by the Federal Border Police (BGS) between 1966 and 1974. By the time production was discontinued, 1177 saladins had been made.

The Alvis Saracen FV603 armored personnel carrier was partly equipped with the small machine gun turret of the Daimler Ferret . The Saracen was also used in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, where it was also used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary . It is still used today by Indonesia and some Commonwealth countries such as India and is likely to be used in these countries until the 2020s.

In addition, the Alvis Salamander FV651 / 652 was developed by Alvis , a high-speed, off-road and airfield fire fighting vehicle.

After the Korean War, English tank soldiers demanded a very robust, all-terrain and buoyant supply vehicle. Alvis took up the suggestions in 1959 and developed the Alvis Stalwart , an amphibious truck , at its own expense with the equivalent of around 5.5 million euros, based on their FV 600 series . In 1966 the Stalwart Mk.I (FV 620) was introduced into the British Army. Alvis also tried to drive sales to friendly states by offering the vehicle in a variety of variants:

• Supply vehicle (FV620 and FV622)
• Artillery limber and tractor with Atlas or Hiab crane (FV623)
• Workshop and rescue trolley (FV624) (also with crane)

From the start of series production in 1966 until production was discontinued in April 1971, 1110 Stalwart were built. 125 of them belonged to the Mk.1 series. Of the 970 Mk.2 Stalwart only 24 were sold to foreign buyers, of which 2 to the Federal Republic of Germany, 3 to Austria, 18 to Sweden and one to Thailand.

In October 2002 Alvis plc acquired the Vickers Defense Systems subsidiary from Rolls-Royce and formed Alvis Vickers with it . Until the takeover by BAE Systems in 2004, their armaments division was part of Alvis.

Aircraft engines

In August 1935 the decision was made to acquire a production license for the Gnôme et Rhône 14K . On this basis, Alvis constructed a series of engines with 14 and 18 cylinders as double radial engines with names such as Alcides, Maeonides and Pelides. These engines were largely unsuccessful. Only an in-house design by Cpt. George Thomas Smith-Clarke , the Leonides, became a commercial success. At the end of the 1950s, a new design with very small cylinder contents was forced, but not fully developed.

• Alvis Alcides
• Alvis Leonides
• Alvis Leonides Major
• Alvis Maeonides
• Alvis Pelides
• Alvis Pelides Major

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Rob de la Rive Box: Encyclopaedia of Classic Cars: Sports Cars 1945-1975. Taylor & Francis, 1999, ISBN 1-57958-118-8 , p. 26.
2. ↑ Roger Gloor: All Cars of the 50s. 1st edition. Motorbuch Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1 , p. 57.
3. ↑ Nick Walker: A – Z of British Coachbuilders 1919–1960. Herridge & Sons, Shebbear 2007, ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 150.
4. ^ Dieter Günther: Swiss Connection . In: Oldtimer Market. Special issue no. 14: "Luxury, performance and four seats: Gran Turismo - the big coupés". 1994, p. 17.
5. ↑ Internet presence of the Alvis Car Company (accessed on July 31, 2017).
6. ^ Hans-Jürgen Schmidt: We carry the eagle of the federal government on the rock - Chronicle of the Federal Border Guard 1951-1971 , Fiedler-Verlag, Coburg 1995 ISBN 3-923434-17-0 , p. 61
7. ↑ Hans-Jürgen Schmidt: We carry the eagle of the federal government on the rock - Chronicle of the Federal Border Police 1972–1992 , Fiedler-Verlag, Coburg 1994 ISBN 3-923434-21-9 , p. 21

Web links

Commons : Alvis  - collection of images, videos and audio files