SINCE 2010
Heroes And History
TEAM
ALVIS 3.0 SPECIAL ALLOY BODY
Every once in a while, a vehicle comes along that stops you in your tracks, this unique Alvis Special is one such car. Wearing an alloy body that was designed for racing in the 1930’s and brought back to life.
The body was designed, sculpted and built by none other than R. F. Bob Blake - Cunningham Company then later Jaguar.
This particular alloy body was campaigned at the time wearing its original Registration Plate EP5572, and a very early photo can be found in the Alvis Book - A Century Of Drivers Edition.
The history file confirms the vehicle changed hands to the following:
• Mr Stanley E. Hicken - Solihull, Warwickshire.
• Richard P. Gilbert / Audrey Gilbert - Coventry, Warwickshire.
A personal letter from Audrey Gilbert confirms their participation in various races in this one off, alloy body Alvis Special and includes photographic evidence of the car racing wearing its original number plate EP5572.
At some stage the body was removed from the chassis and placed into storage, subsequently forgotten up until 2020 when rediscovered.
Rather than existing as a static museum piece, the decision was made to get the shell back up and running, acquiring and restoring a 1949 Alvis TA14 chassis was the perfect fit.
The choice of chassis means it's now road registered and subsequently can be enjoyed to the full, though we’d really love to see it back on the track.
The (TA21) engine and 4 speed manual gearbox were also located, reconditioned and installed at a cost of almost £10,000
It is believed that the body shell design of this car is completely unique, even if another were to exist, we’re quite sure that you’re not likely to meet another one in this condition.
The colours had to be period correct, using the black and white photograph taken at Prescott race circuit for direction, the shade chosen is a Jaguar's off-white and suits the car very well, contrasting nicely with the black interior and fittings.
The car has seen very limited road testing since being completed and overall remains in excellent condition.
The newly-painted wheels are shod with new tyres and the side-mounted exhaust is carefully heat-shielded, though the passenger will still need to apply some common sense when getting in and out.
It's sure to be a head-turner wherever it goes and this car’s next owner will not be short of inquisitive new friends.
You'd expect the upholstery to be top notch and so it proves. Mind you, there’s not a great deal of it.
Modest seats, transmission tunnel, leather-trimmed original Alvis steering wheel and race dashboard incorporating vintage toggle switches and warning lights to make it as usable as possible.
There is a small cubby hole behind the seat backs for storage but, this being a race car, you’ll need to pack light.
Everything is still in pristine condition, and to keep it all protected should the weather turn, there’s also a tonneau cover.
Open the front hinged bonnet and you’re presented with the lovely Alvis 3 litre straight six with twin carburettors.
The car behaves exactly as it should, accelerates well with smooth changes through gears and braking in a straight line.
A very rare opportunity to acquire a freshly restored, unique vehicle that could be enjoyed on the road, taken to shows or used for competition purposes.
