Alvis Cars and Autos

The Alvis motor car company
This section provides access to the cars and autos manufactured under the name of the Alvis motor car company. An online guide for auto enthusiasts covering old and new cars and autos. If you like car talk then you will love this website! A free, online resource with facts and company information about the cars and autos made by the Alvis motor car company.

Founding of the Alvis motor car company
Alvis would soon be  founded in 1919 when T.G John Ltd acquired the business of Holley Brothers.

History of Alvis motor car company
First known as T.G John Ltd the company was based in the Midlands city of Coventry and began by making initially carburettor bodies and stationary engines and a small 50cc engine scooter called the Stafford Mobile Pup. during the same time the company also built engines for Hillman Motor Car Company witch survived till 1921. Alvis's first car was to be a 4 cylinder aluminium piston, pressure lubricated engine designed by Frevville. The whole idea was weal ahead of its time and the first car model was to be called the 10/30 and was very popular with the public. soon after the company built a strong reputation for performance and quality.

Shortly after there success and popularity the company faced complaints that the logo they used bore similarities to the AVRO aviation company logo a winged green triangle, thus the more familiar red triangle incorporating the word Alvis was created. In 1921 the company name changed to Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd, and relocated to Coventry. Between 1922 and 1923 the Buckingham car was born.

Captain GT Smith Clarke joined in 1923 leaving Daimler to become Chief Engineer and Works Manager and also joined by WM Dunn as Chief Draughtsman. This partnership was to last 25 years and catapult the business in to a successful car manufacturing company. By 1923 the 10/30 side valve engine was developed into an overhead valve 12/50 built until 1932 and became one of the most successful vintage sports cars of all time. 12/50hp's survive till this day.

A six cylinder 14.75hp was built in 1927 with the engine creating the basis for a long line of luxury six cylinder Alvis cars up until the war broke out. Still, this car displayed many leading enhancements in technology,  1933 saw cars featuring an independent front suspension and the first ever all synchromesh gearbox in the world. Then came servo assisted brakes and as an option, a Roots type supercharger. The 1930's saw more front wheel drive cars being produced with in bored brakes and overhead camshafts.

In 1927 World War 2 struck and car production took a huge dive. During the 1930's and 1940's Smith Clarke designed remarkable models such as the Speed 20 with its six cylinder engine and being low slung and the Speed 25 being considered to be the finest car produced in the 1930's and a 4.3 litre model. The company name changed to Alvis Ltd in 1936 and by the beginning of the war there were division with in the company building aero engines and armoured vehicles. Up until 1946 war suspended car production. After 1946 Alvis resumed production with the introduction of the TA14 based upon the pre war 12/70 model also featuring a four cylinder engine. The TA14 was visually attractive and a reliable solid built car.

A six cylinder 3 little engine was built and revealed in 1950 and would become the bass model for all Alvis models up until 1967. During this period of time a rang of bodies and different features surfaced under the name Alvis. During the 1980's Alvis Ltd became part of Rover. The name then changed from British Leyland to United Scientific Holdings then Alvis Vickers Ltd in the mid 2000's. The use of the characteristic red triangle trademark ended in 2004 with BAE systems.

Timeline

• 1919: Alvis company founded.

• 1921: 10/30 was there first car produced.

• 1921: Company name changed to Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd.

• 1922: Buckingham car was born.

• 1923: Captain GT Smith joined. The 10/30's engine redesigned for the 12/50 produced until 1932.

• 1927: The 14.75hp was introduced.

• 1930's: Speed 20 and Speed 25 were introduced

• 1936: Company name changed to Alvis Ltd. Car production stopped due to War.

• 1946: Car production continued with the TA14

• 1950: Six cylinder engine was built and used in many models till 1967.

• 1980's: Alvis Ltd became part of Rover, name changed from British Leyland to United Scientific Holdings.

• 2000's: Name changed again to Alvis Vickers Ltd.

• 2004: The trademark triangle was withdrawn by the new owner, BAE systems.

What models and types of cars and automobiles does the Alvis motor car company produce?
The models and types of cars and automobiles produced by the company include those detailed on the following list. Whether you enjoy comparing cars and autos, want to conduct some research before you buy a new car or a used car or finally an automobile enthusiast who loves fast, cool, new, old, vintage, classic, antique, sports, top, muscle or exotic cars we have the info you are searching for! Select the automobile you are interested in and click the link for access to an online overview of this Alvis vehicle with car guides, online facts, information, statistics, specs, specifications, design details and ratings of cars and autos.