1940 ALVIS 12/70 SPECIAL
--Green with Black seats, 2.8 liter I6, 4-speed manual
gearbox, #15884.
This 12/70 Special left the factory on May 15, 1940 as a
Saloon. Approximately 15 years ago, this Alvis was restored
and converted to its current special 2-seater sports body.
The chassis was left unmodified and not shortened, the rear axle
was converted to be able enjoy sustained cruising speeds when
traveling from country to country and of course the German Autobahn
where it has been a regular for the past years. The steering
is original 12/70 and the brakes have been converted to
hydraulic. The Engine is a Speed 20 2.7 liter that has been
bored to 2.8 liter during its restoration.
This 12/70 has complete history through the Alvis registrar and
comes with documentation from the previous owner stating his
purchase of this 12/70 over twenty years ago, subsequent
restoration/conversion as well as a letter from the previous owner
confirming his use and many years of “Happy Motoring.”
This 12/70 Special had most recently and prior to our purchase had
been collector owned in Germany and used for several prewar races
in Germany, hill climbs and various vintage tours in the past few
years. It accumulated approximately 6,000 km’s since it was
restored and prior to being purchased by Tom Papadopoulos-Autosport
Designs. I decided to use it in the UK and for runs to
several friend throughout the country for approximately 800 km's
prior to shipping to the USA. It was a glorious ride,
especially with the previous owners fabricated luggage rack to help
our journey, on the motorway, b-roads and in london traffic she was
happy with her auxiliary fan.
Once imported to the USA, she has been kept in our personal
collection for vintage rallying. Enjoyed on the 2015 Colorado
Grand rally, it treated us extremely well during the rain soaked
event and until the end were she just said she was tired! It
may have been the hour long run at 90-100 mph sustained speed to
stay ahead of Mark Hyman’s Bentley 8.0 liter! It was a great run
and time had by all.
Subsequently, the Alvis returned home to New York, its engine
removed and the comprehensive rebuild started. A new block
was acquired from Red Triangle Alvis specialists in the UK, it was
line bored, honed and rebuilt with all new parts as needed.
The cylinder head was serviced and a valve service performed.
After this $40,000 engine rebuild, she has only run in time and
miles on her being enjoyed to and from home to the dealership on
several occasions. At this time, everything and anything
needed was serviced to ensure she is ready at a moment’s notice to
be involved in yet another vintage rally experience.
In relation to the cost of many other comparable prewar automobiles
on the market, this Alvis is a wonderful and cost effective way to
enjoy prewar motoring as it was intended. The power to weight
ratio is simply awesome, its 6-cylinder enjoys pulling effortlessly
throughout the rev range and gear ratios. It is a superb
looking car sort of Aston Ulsterish, but with Bentley sound and
power. Oh yes, I must not forget the brakes, big brakes and
wonderful stopping power. It is a welcomed entrant for
various vintage road tours throughout the world. Vintage
touring at its best!