What even is a classy car these days? The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is lit up light a nightclub, Rolls-Royce seems to have pre-Mansory’d the Series II Cullinan, and while the Bentley Flying Spur is great, we still haven’t seen a proper Arnage replacement. So what about an Alvis? Specifically, an Alvis Lancefield, a brand new continuation of a stunning 1930s car.
It all starts with a special one-off. At the 1938 Earl’s Court motor show, an Alvis 4.3-litre was unveiled with particularly dashing art deco coachwork by Lancefield of London. Beyond the flowing, stepped fenders and the chrome pinstripes on the fender skirts, the signature touch of this model was a folding roof that could conceal itself completely. In an age when most drop-tops either resulted in the folded roof sticking proud of the bodywork or employed fiddly, manually attached soft tonneau covers, this was a bit of a revelation.
Known by the number plate EXW 17, this Alvis cost more than twice as much as the average house when it was new, and for a period of time, was shrouded in secrecy. It wasn’t until the 1990s that collector Alan Stote was able to get his hands on it. Stote’s now the owner of all things Alvis, and the firm is making a fresh handful of these stunning art deco cabriolets.
Don’t think this is a case of putting entirely modern power into a reproduction frame, because the firm has revived its 4,387-cc overhead valve straight-six, albeit with fuel injection and catalytic converters. This means it should start on the button and not leave the aroma of unburned hydrocarbons everywhere it goes, yet still have a far more unique character than you’d get from a modern crate engine. It’s not immensely powerful—Alvis claims a zero-to-60 mph time of just under 10 seconds—but it seems like it should offer a proper experience, especially since it’s mated to a period-correct four-speed manual transmission.
Beyond the unique powertrain, everything on the reborn Lancefield is simply beautiful. That coachwork is all aluminum supported by ash framework, just like the original, and you won’t find stamped panels here. Each sheet is painstakingly shaped by hand, just as they were back in the 1930s. Oh, and then there’s the detailing on the interior.
I’m not just talking about how the wood dashboard and cowl has generational depth to its lacquer, or how the fine polished spokes of the steering wheel imbue such a large item with a sense of delicateness. No, the detail work goes deeper than that. Each piece of seat hardware is metal with either a bright finish or leather wrapping, from the support framework to the hinges the backrests pivot on. The shift boot is also capped with brightwork, while the carpets look deep enough to lose a small child in. Only the air vents and rotary HVAC controls in the dashboard break the illusion of being completely period correct, and they’re fairly easy to forgive because they’re so straightforward.
It might cost as much as a Rolls-Royce at £325,000, but the Alvis Lancefield just has so much imagination. What’s more, with only 25 of these continuation cars being made, you probably won’t see another one parked next to you. However, if you want this exact one, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. It’s actually been delivered to a client, the ultimate litmus test for whether a car is real.
Top graphic credit: Alvis
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“…we still haven’t seen a proper Arnage replacement”
Bentley already created a more than proper Arnage replacement.
It was called the Mulsanne – and was in production for over 10 years.
Ah, apparently it’s a ‘continuation car’, which means it’s technically road legal.
I’ve seen this little factory when I’ve been back in Kenilworth (my home town) and wondered what it was, so thanks for the story! I assumed it was some classic car showroom, not building them…
“They had us until the rear 3/4 view, not gonna lie.”
Interesting that as all the tech-toys have raised the prices of cars, getting one without all that is even more expensive. I wonder how they get the airbags in there?
This is one of those automotive creations I have no interest is owning, but I’m glad such things exist.
The finishing touch is the size of the wheels. Perfect proportions. They deftly mimic the size of old cars. Fitting wide, modern tires would have ruined everything. Is that steering wheel called banjo style? Whatever, I always loved that wire spoke look.
That’s $421,500 at current exchange rates, I’m pretty sure people have spent that much, or more, on much dumber things. This car is a drop dead gorgeous work of craftsmanship
If you have to ask of an article to show more interior shots, you can’t afford it.
A lovely car, and not as common as a Mechatronik-restored Mercedes, which has an online configurator that makes it almost the same as a new Dacia ot BYD. And Alvis does offer four other bodies with production limited to 25 of each. Thankfully the price isn’t mentioned on the website, but in keeping with the spirit of things, the cost really should have been quoted in guineas in the press release.
Thanks for the links. They’re all beautiful.
Does his ownership of Alvis include the armored vehicles? I’d like a quote on an FV107 Scimitar light tank?
As an aside older vehicles in that family had Jaguar engines, although the majority have been recovered with diesels.
That price actually sounds totally fair.
I love this idea as I’ve always wondered what these kinds of old engines could do with more modern ignition and fueling, maybe head design as well. They also got the tires right! Don’t know what they’re using, but so often, I’ve seen prewar repros on modern tires and it completely ruins what might have been decent enough in the first place (but probably wasn’t). The sidewalls are a bit odd, but I would guess they’re period correct/repro of an original design. Most of the fancy cars you could buy in this class are pretty much toys, anyway, so I say if you’re going to have a toy, go with something like this (plus, it looks even more uppity for those who are into that).
Clamsworth, pick one up while you’re out, won’t you.
A beautiful machine!
The car as art is something sorely lacking in today’s overly digitalized landscape.
Waiting on the 6X6 version of this for everyone’s favorite aspiring dictator.
Yes, the supreme ruler of Jasonia needs one of these to complement the Changli.
A continuation car has imagination?
This not a car to do performance runs. It is meant to cruise. Beyond the cost (I have about 5 bucks in my wallet), I want one.
Yeah, it’s plenty fast enough to cruise in modern traffic, and that’s all it needs to do. Nobody’s going to the drag strip in this
Challenge accepted
I was digging it till we walked around back. What the pleated bustle butt!
Yeah, it really only looks good from the front 3/4 shot. The lines are not nearly graceful enough for a car from this era.
To be fair I have fallen for a few human beauties wearing bustles. (context matters)
Agree completely. I really don’t undertsand why you would french in the taillights on a car like this. They should stand proud on the fenders as they would have in the 30s
That’s per the original. They probably did it at the time because it stood out and fit the idea of Streamline better than something standing proud.
That’s how they did it in Britain, a D shaped taillight on the right of (or two on either side of) the number plate, usually on a flat spot on the back of the car. Lights on fender stalks with the license plate unceremoniously sticking out into the airstream over the left one was a ‘Murica thing.
I feel obligated to point out that I made a joke topshot for this. Enjoy:
(Click Here)
Googly eyes make everything better.
Keeping with the Mercedes Improved© topshot, and the era of the car, I’m sure this fine auto is Dr. TJ Eckleburg approved.
More proof of Hardigree’s cowardice! /s
It sorta has googly eyes already
That’s what motivated me to do the little edit! 🙂
You have such beautiful Lucas eyes…
This is the perfect car for the renewed, gilded age, we’re living in now.
On a side note why does this (beautiful) car make me want to chase down a bunch of Dalmatian puppies?