Description
By: Kenneth Day . FOURTH and final Haynes Edition, 2008
This book is more than the success story of Alvis, which first established itself as a top car maker and then diversified to become a major player in the aero and defence industries. Redesigned and fully updated in this fascinating fourth edition, the book is also a tribute to the Alvis founder, a courageous Welshman named Thomas George John (1880-1946). Although a brilliant naval architect, engineer and inspiring leader of men, his remarkable achievements have until now gone largely unsung due to his early death.
At the age of 31 John was moved from Admiralty employment and appointed shipbuilding manager at Barrow-in-Furness, base of submarine development, with responsibility for readying the fleet for sea. Then, in 1915, he was appointed chief engineer and works manager of a Coventry car manufacturer where a British-designed aero engine was to be built.
In 1919 he established his own engineering works in Coventry, producing a small car of above- average performance with the name Alvis. From 1925 his company led in the use of front-wheel drive, and in 1935 John entered the aero-engine industry to meet increasing civil and military demand. At this time the Government accepted new designs for tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles, for which John had the technical knowledge and record of success — and a factory in which to produce them.
Following a very substantial contribution to wartime production, Alvis became the last British constructor of radial aero engines. The company was also recognised as an international leader in the development, manufacture and support of light armoured vehicles for high-mobility operations. Involved in a series of post-war ownership changes, Alvis produced over 14,000 military vehicles sold to more than 40 countries, before being bought by British Aerospace in 2004.
The unique identity of Alvis continues. Alvis cars and armoured vehicles are in private ownership worldwide, and Red Triangle Autoservices Ltd, established when Alvis car production ended in 1967, is the 'Home of Alvis cars.
Kenneth Day, President Emeritus of the Alvis Owner Club Ltd, has owned seven Alvis cars (including three Speed 25s), driven most of the models produced by the company and visited Alvis owners worldwide. He was on the Elmbridge Borough Council sub-committee which recommended the establishment of the Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd at the birthplace of British motorsport with which Alvis had such close links.
