Alvis Car Books - History and Construction

Alvis - The Complete Story

This book tells the story of Alvis and its cars, aero engines and military vehicles. Starting with the formation of the company in 1919, it traces the company's products through the 1920s and 1930s, and through its wartime exploits to its eventual takeover by Rover.

The book covers:
- the early four-cylinder cars;
- the amazing six-cylinder cars;
- early ventures into armoured car and aero engine production;
- the post WWII four- and six-cylinder cars;
- the Leonides post-World War II aero engines
- and finally, the post-World War II military vehicles.

Alvis 1919-1967

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Alvis models from the years 1919-1967. Describes the Alvis 12-50, Straight-Eight racer, 14-75, Alvista saloon, Atlantic saloon, Front-Drive Alvis, Silver Eagle, 12-60, Speed Twenty, Mayfair DHC, Firefly saloon, Crested Eagle, Firefly Twelve, Alvis 16, Silver Eagle 16, 3.5 litre, Speed Twentyfive, Twenty-five Limousine, 4.3 litre saloon, Crested Eagle 25, 12/70, Silver Crest, 14, 14 Sports, 3.0 litre saloon, 3.0 litre DHC, TC 21/100, Graber saloon, 3-litre Park Ward, TD21, TD21 car and TE21 Series III.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Alvis Speed Models in Detail

The Alvis Speed models of the 1930s remain highly coveted high-performance vehicles, offering a more affordable alternative to Bentley and Lagonda, a superior class to the SS Jaguar, and greater technical advancement.
This book admirably delves into the remarkable achievements of the relatively small Alvis company, highlighting their design, engineering, and continuous development of these sophisticated cars. Notably, Alvis, with the Speed Twenty, pioneered groundbreaking industry innovations like independent front suspension and an all-synchromesh gearbox.

The book begins by extolling the pleasures of Speed model motoring and provides an insightful background leading to the introduction of the Speed Twenty in 1932. It further conducts a thorough technical analysis of the Speed Twenty, covering chassis, running gear, engine, and transmission.
Subsequent chapters explore various Speed models, including the SA/SB/SC/SD Speed Twenty, the 3 1/2-litre, the Speed Twenty Five, and the flagship 4.3. Each model's distinct features, body options, performance, competitive history, and production changes are meticulously detailed.

For current and prospective owners, the book offers practical advice on using and maintaining a Speed model, including parts availability, fuels, lubrication, and preservation. The book features five exceptional cars in over 70 color photographs, complemented by 140 black-and-white images sourced from Alvis archives and promotional material.

Alvis Cars 1946-1967 - The Post-War Years

The Alvis company of Coventry were motor and aero engineers who made some of the finest motor cars during the period 1920 to 1967, when car production stopped. There were no independent coachbuilders left and mass production was not for Alvis.

Total production was a mere 21,250 and fewer than 7,000 after the Second World War. It is the post-war cars that this book focuses on. The successor to Alvis's iconic Fourteen, the Three Litre, had a production run of seventeen years and the newest is now nearly fifty years old.

John Fox offers a fascinating look at both technical and historical aspects of Alvis cars during this period, utilising rare archival and modern photographs.

Alvis Three Litre In Detail - TA21 to TF21 1950-67

From 1950 to 1967, the Alvis Three Litre gained renown for its smooth performance, stability, and impeccable build quality. Despite being from a relatively exclusive maker, it earned praise for its individuality. The car's styling, both in saloon and drophead variants, maintained a timeless dignity while embodying a reassuringly traditional appeal.

Throughout its production, the Three Litre utilized the same chassis and engine - a robust six-cylinder design offering ample power across a broad rev range. Starting at 83 bhp in the early TA21, it evolved to 150 bhp in the final TF21 iteration, retaining its smoothness and reliability.

The book begins with the company's introduction of the Three Litre in 1950, followed by a detailed technical analysis of the TA21 model. Subsequent chapters cover various models, including the TC21, TD21, and TF21, detailing differences, production changes, and notable owners.

Information on coachbuilders like Mulliners and Graber, as well as Alvis-powered sports cars and modern ownership and usage, is also provided. The book features specially photographed examples and over 140 illustrations, making it a valuable resource for enthusiasts and a tribute to Alvis's legacy.

Alvis Society - A Century of Drivers

With an original approach, this book chronicles every model and lists every chassis number ever produced by Alvis, one of the great British manufacturers. It details famous owners and drivers, notable number plates, and is illustrated with original period photographs, and depictions of Alvis cars in the humorous cartoons of the day.

The Alvis car has always seemed to appeal to a type of buyer who has made their mark upon society in a variety of ways. This 'social history' aspect of the book looks at the many Alvis owners from the world of politics, stage and screen, sport, the armed forces, medicine, and the arts. These range from a King to a serial killer, and every variation in between.

The book has been written with full cooperation and approval of the Alvis Company, and is the result of much research by the author and other enthusiasts, who have managed to allocate a very large number of registration marks to chassis, by trawling County Archive Record Offices up and down the country, thus creating a unique record that will be a valuable resource for owners and collectors.

Alvis Cars in Competition

The forefather of Alvis, T. G. John & Co. Ltd, was founded in 1919 by Thomas George John and became the Alvis Car & Engineering Company Ltd in December 1921.
The company's first production car, the Alvis 10/30, was introduced in 1920 and helped establish a reputation for quality workmanship and high performance for which Alvis would later become famous. A model line up of both touring and competition cars followed the 10/30 with the most notable being the 12/50, which was extremely competent in both roles.

The prewar models were preferred for competition due to their simplicity and ease of tuning. Car production was suspended during the Second World War as Alvis contributed to the war effort with aero engines, military vehicles, munitions handling mechanisation and medical equipment.
After the Second World War, Alvis produced many fine touring cars until manufacture ceased in 1967.

In this book, Clive Taylor, a member of the Alvis Owner Club, in co-operation with the Club celebrates both the centennial year of Alvis cars in 2019 and some of the cars that featured in its fine competition history.
With images and information from Alvis owners, this is both an informative book and a wonderful tribute for the company's centennial.