London 2017
1940 Alvis 12/70 Special
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£130,000 - £150,000 GBP | Not Sold
| London, United Kingdom
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- An exceptional vintage special, ideal for rallies and tours
- Well-known ownership and restoration history
- A thrilling Alvis for the avid driving enthusiast
According to the current owner, this Alvis 12/70 was built on 15 May 1940 and has a documented history through the Alvis Registrar, with documentation from the previous owner covering its acquisition over two decades ago and subsequent restoration and use. During this time the car was restored to its present configuration, with a special two-seater sports body on an original unmodified chassis, a high-speed rear axle, hydraulic brakes and a Speed 20 2.7-litre engine, bored out to 2.8 litres.
The current owner acquired the car after it had been owned by a German enthusiast who used it for several pre-war races, hill climbs and various vintage driving tours. It had accumulated approximately 6,000 km by this time and was used for another 800 km of touring before being shipped to the United States. The owner notes that the car performed beautifully, including on both the motorway and in London traffic, thanks to the addition of an auxiliary fan. It continued to run beautifully while Stateside, including the 2015 Colorado Grand rally, where it ran at 90–100 mph for over an hour.
Subsequently the car received a $40,000 engine rebuild by Autosport Designs of Huntington Station, New York, including a new block sourced from UK Alvis specialists, Red Triangle. The engine was line-bored, honed and rebuilt with all-new parts as needed; a service to the cylinder head; and a valve service, all of which is documented with invoices on file. Following this work the car has only run-in time under its belt, with everything properly serviced to ensure sweet running for a new owner.
A superb, cost-effective choice to run at speed alongside Aston Martin Ulsters and ‘W.O.’ Bentleys, this car boasts exceptional performance, stopping power and handling grace, and would be ideal for any number of motoring rallies and tours worldwide.