1928 Alvis 12/75

The Alvis Company was founded by engineer T.G. John in 1919 when he purchased the rights to an automobile engine. Along with that purchase included the brand name of its aluminum pistons - 'Alvis.' The first Alvis was the 10/30hp and it made its appearance in 1920. It came powered by a four-cylinder, side-valve engine mated to a four-speed gearbox.

In the early 1920s, newly appointed Chief Engineer Captain G.T. Smith-Clark and Chief Designer W.M. Dunn created the 12/50. Under its bonnet was a new overhead-valve engine that displaced 1496cc. It made its competition debut at Brooklands in 1923 where it secured a victory in the premier 200-Mile event crewed by Harvey/Tattershall. The production version followed a year later and would remain in production until 1932, by which time its engine capacity had grown to 1645cc.

This particular vehicle is a Model F.D. 12/75. It is a front-wheel drive vehicle that has the TT body, to recall the Tourist Trophy Race in Ulster. It is powered by a supercharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The camshaft, magneto, and water pump were all gear driven and the cylinder head was detachable.

Very few front-wheel drive Alvis cars were built. It is estimated that around 155 examples, including prototypes and racers, were built. It is believed that only 39 FD-series cars were manufactured between 1928 and 1931, of which approximately 14 are known.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016