Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Alvis Cars
Alvis Cars was the manufacturer Alvis Car & Engineering Company Ltd. of Coventry, Warwickshire, England. At the same time the company produced cars it was also involved in military vehicles which continued even after the car production stopped.
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History
Beginnings
The ancestor company, Tom G John Ltd, built scooters from 1919. Tom G John was approached by Geoffrey de Freville with designs for a 4-cylinder car. The design called for aluminium pistons and pressure lubrication, unusual for the period. Some have suggested that de Freville proposed the name Alvis as a compound of the words "aluminium" and "vis"(Latin=strong); it is also possible that is was named for the Norse mythological weaponsmith, Alvis, but the true origin remains unknown.
In 1921, the company changed its name to become Alvis Car & Engineering Company Ltd. and moved to Holyhead Road, Coventry. The first model, the 10/30, was an instant success and set the reputation for quality and performance for which Alvis brand became famous. The company logo of an inverted red triangle incorporating the word 'Alvis' was used from this period.
Captain GT Smith-Clarke joined from Daimler as Chief Engineer & Works Manager in 1923 and was soon joined by WM Dunn as Chief Draughtsman. This partnership lasted for 25 years and was responsible for many designs.
Alvis went into receivership in June 1924 and the Board was reorganised. T G John (a Welshman) remained Managing Director.
The company was notable for experimenting with independent front suspension and a front wheel drive model (from 1928 to 1930), and for introducing an all-synchromesh gearbox in 1933.
Smith-Clarke designed remarkable models during the 1930s and 1940s - the handsome, low-slung six-cylinder Speed 20, the Speed 25 and the 4.3-litre model. These were commonly fitted with coachwork by Cross & Ellis, Charlesworth and Vanden Plas. In 1937, the company name was changed to Alvis Ltd.
World War Two
During World War II The car factory was severely damaged in the German Luftwaffe raid on Coventry in 1940. Despite this, Alvis carried out war production. The company built armoured vehicles and aero engines (as sub-contractor of Rolls-Royce).
Post War
After the end of the War, a model designed before the war was produced as the TA 14. Smith-Clarke retired in 1950 and post war models were signed by Dunn.
In 1950 a new chassis and six-cylinder 3-litre engine was announced. This engine was used until the company ceased car production.
From 1952 to 1955 Alec Issigonis, the later creator of Mini, worked for Alvis. Alvis cars were sometimes offered with special bodies made by Hermann Graber of Switzerland, Vanden Plas or Mulliner , coachbuilders for Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Rover took over Alvis in 1965. Alvis was working on a Rover-designed mid-engined V8 coupé prototype named P6BS for a while. Car production ceased in 1967 but armoured fighting vehicle production continued.
Modern day
Alvis Limited was bought in 1981 by United Scientific Holdings Plc from British Leyland as it was. Subsequently the company's name changed to Alvis plc . In 1998 the armoured vehicle business of GKN Plc was taken on and the main UK manufacturing operation moved from Coventry to Telford. In 2002 Alvis group purchased Vickers to form a subsidiary Alvis-Vickers .
Notes
- The site of the Alvis works in Holyhead road is now an out-of-town shopping complex, but its name, Alvis Retail Park, reflects the heritage of the site.
Alvis vehicles
Alvis Car models
- 1921 Alvis 10/30
- 1923 Alvis 10/50
- 1928 Alvis SD 12/50
- 1929 Alvis SA Silver Eagle
- 1932 Alvis Speed 20
- 1933 Alvis Crested Eagle
- 1935 Alvis Firefly Speed 20 Special
- 1938 Alvis 12/70
- 1946 Alvis TA 14
- 1950 Alvis TA 21
- 1954 Alvis Grey Lady
- 1955 Alvis TC 21 (bodies by Graber)
- 1958 Alvis TD 21
- 1964 Alvis TE 21
Alvis Military Vehicles
- Saladin
- Saracen
- Scorpion
- Stormer
External links
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