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Click on the menu to the left for over 50 pictures of this car

We are very happy to have just received this car into stock. it is a 1937 Alvis 4.3 Litre Tourer by Holbrook. It started life as a saloon and was converted professionally in the mid Sixties. In addition to this he replaced the original engine with a reliable 4.2 Litre XK Jaguar Unit by Forward Engineering. You now have the best of both worlds, the style and beauty of a Large Drophead Coupe with the power and reliablilty of a more modern car. With original 4.3 Tourers now approaching the £100,000 mark this makes an enticing proposition. You could always choose to fit an original Alvis engine if you prefer although after driving this, I am not sure you would want to!

Founded immediately after the Great War by TG John and GPH de Freville, Alvis quickly gained a reputation for making high quality cars with superb performance that appealed to the well-heeled sporting driver. In 1923 Captain GT Smith-Clarke joined from Daimler as chief engineer and, with chief draughtsman WM Dunn, became responsible for some of the best products in the company's history including the famous overhead-valve 12/50, one of the most successful vintage sports cars of all time. Alvis cars of this period were not only extremely elegant but they bristled with technical innovations like independent front suspension, the world's first all-synchromesh gearbox, servo-assisted brakes and front-wheel drive.

The fruits of this remarkable partnership culminated in a series of luxury sports tourers that were among the greatest achievements of the pre-war British motor industry. Chief among these was the 4.3-Litre of 1936, claimed to be the fastest un-supercharged saloon on the UK market and capable of a genuine 100mph plus. The engine was similar to the Speed 25, but with the bore increased to 92mm for 4,387cc and 137 bhp. Centralised chassis lubrication was retained, but additions included the Smiths Jackall built-in hydraulic jacking system and a Clayton Dewandré vacuum brake servo. Smooth and powerful, with independent front suspension and all-synchro gears, the 4.3 chassis attracted some of the finest examples of the coachbuilders art, though its high price meant that ownership was always restricted to a privileged few. Just 198 examples were made before war stopped production in 1940.

This 1937 4.3 litre Alvis, chassis number 13181, was built originally as an SA Holbrook saloon (body number 18549) and was one of the first batch of 4.3 Alvis's built. It was registered CDU 633 and dispatched on 20th January 1937 to Alvis distributors B Waterhouse & Sons of Bradford, the first owner being Alfred W Clayton of C&J Clayton Ltd, Box Tree Mills, Bradford.

Interior:
The interior of our car is finished in its original Brown Leather and is very worn in most areas. The carpets are OK but a bit threadbare by the drivers side. The interior is actually a very nice and comfortable place and is perfect for lovers of "Original" things!. All the instruments work as they should and there is nothing that needs addressing here.

Exterior:
Our car is finished in Red over White and is in a generall presentable condition with minor paint imperfections and chips showing. It is not a recent respray but presents as an older restoration with flaws and cracks showing in localised areas. The Wheels and the chromework are all OK and the tyres are new. The soft top is in a good condition also although there are no sidescreens fitted these would be simple to fabricate.

Mechanical:
Our car starts and drives extremely well. The engine is strong and the gearbox changes smoothly. The Jaguar engine currently installed is a tuned 4.2 litre unit which has been enlarged to the capacity of 4,624cc as stated on the registration document. Tuning was carried out by Jaguar specialists Forward Engineering and is believed to have included a lightened flywheel plus steel crank and rods. The engine conversion retains the Alvis engine mounting points and the original Alvis gearbox, so fitting an original 4.3 engine should not require any chassis modifications. The car has been in regular use and performs very well with an impressive turn of speed and wonderful exhaust note. It has recently had the kingpins and the diff rebuilt and new tyres fitted front and rear.There are no knocks or rattles from the suspension and the car is a joy to drive.

Summary
OK, first and foremost, Alvis 4.3 Litre Tourers, at £100k are beyond the reach of all but the super rich. Here is an incredibly good looking four seater tourer which can be had for a fraction of the cost of a restored car. The XK engine is quite in character and means the power is perfect for modern driving and rallying, you could also revert the car to original spec and then restore it if you chose. This car is just great fun and I can assure you, this summer will be one to remember cruising around in this!

As with all our cars, we have priced her for an immediate sale. If you have seen the cars that are out there, come and see ours and your search will be over.

Please click on the links on the left to view many photographs of the car, but nothing compares to coming to view her and taking her out for a drive!

If you are interested in this car you can contact us by clicking on the following link:
sales@justinbanks.com