• Great provenance and history with original engine

• One of only 88 Cross & Ellis Open Tourers ever made

• Beautifully restored to an exceptional standard 

In 1919 the Alvis Company started building stationary engines, carburettors and motor scooters, before progressing to produce cars, establishing along the way a solid reputation for quality workmanship and performance. 

The Alvis Firefly was manufactured from 1932 until 1935 to the same high standards as their more expensive Speed 20, and only 904 examples were ever produced, with 88 of these being supplied with the Open Tourer body by Cross & Ellis.

Notably low-slung, the Firefly was based on a 'double-dropped' ladder frame chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, friction dampers and four-wheel 14in drum brakes and, powered by a four cylinder 1496 cc engine producing 50 Bhp, it was reputedly capable of speeds up to 75 mph.

This 1934 Firefly is in superb restored condition and is graced with its original and very attractive Cross & Ellis four-door tourer body. The ground up restoration started many years ago in the 1960’s, by an Alvis Firefly enthusiast, who owned the car from 1959 to 2018.

The restoration of AOF 777 started in 1959 and took over ten years, with our Firefly enthusiast making a few considered changes along the way. 

The current crash gear-box replaced the original pre-selector gearbox for reasons of personal preference and the restoration included having the chassis thoroughly restored by the Alvis factory itself, with a complete new ash frame also being made. Every part of the car was carefully removed, cleaned, renovated or restored or replaced as required. 

All the parts were carefully catalogued, packed in boxes and stored during the process until, after 10 years through the restoration, life got complicated and the project had to be put on hold, so everything was left as it was until he could restart the work. As life has a habit of doing, this never got round to happening, so the carefully packed and stored dismantled car sat until 2018, when the current owner restarted the process of putting everything back together again and sorting through a lot of boxes.

It turned out to be a slightly more complicated and involved task than first imagined so professional restoration help from well-known and respected specialists were engaged and the restoration process commenced once more.

The restoration has finally been completed to a superb standard. A total restoration to the body was carried out - it was chemically dipped and new doors, running boards and lower sill panels were constructed by Vintage Wings, and a complete, new leather interior was fitted. 

The dismantled engine, reconditioned by Alvis in 1962, was assembled by a specialist and fired straight up with excellent oil pressure – testament to the quality of work carried out by the factory. The crash gearbox has just been restored with new gears cut by Tom Dark Engineering.

The foot pedals have also been repositioned to the modern layout of clutch, brake, and accelerator. Now running very well, and with a fantastically detailed history file documenting both the car’s colourful past and the recent restoration, this beautiful 4-seater open top tourer is ready for the road once more.

The car comes with a large history file with receipts and invoices for much of the recent and final restoration along with paperwork that goes back much further. 

There is an original Alvis Owner Club handbook, some early maintenance manuals and a certificate from the Alvis Heritage Database confirming its provenance.

A full set of weather gear is included (hood; side screens; tonneau cover) and there are a great many various spares for the car that can be negotiated for separately if required.

Having been completely re-trimmed to a very high standard there is very little to say about the interior, except WOW.

The wooden dashboard, the dials, the switches and all the chrome that goes along with all that are in fabulous shape with the glass and faces of the various instruments looking very sharp and clean.

The sumptuous and comfortable looking leather seats are without mark or wear and the same is true of the carpeting and very stylish door cards, all of which have been re-done to a very high standard.

The photos suggest a hint of wear and aged patina on the steering wheel and the black centre of the instrument panel, but this only adds to the character of this very fine Firefly.

The exterior of the car has been finished to the same high standard as the rest of the car, and the burgundy and black paintwork is literally faultless, save for some very minor scratches recently acquired as illustrated in the photos. 

The cream-coloured full hood has some very small marks on it and the car also comes with the removable side windows and a full tonneau cover all of which are of course in great condition too.

Sitting on completely refurbished spoked wheels and new tyres, with shining chrome in abundance, sweeping and perfect running boards and wonderful period headlights and grill up front, from whatever angle you admire this car it just looks fabulous.

Underneath the car and beneath the bonnet everything is virtually as new, which of course it pretty much is, being rebuilt as it has been to such a degree.

Mechanically, you name it and it’s either new or has been completely rebuilt to be as good as new. This has included the engine, gearbox, carburettor, brakes, suspension, electrics, and everything else mechanical you can think of. 

Since being finally put back together very few miles have been put on the car so one would have to take into consideration that this is an engine that still needs to be run-in.

The Firefly is a car with natural old world charm and character, and really reflects and celebrates the whole idea of 1930’s stylish and open-topped classic car touring. 

With an interesting history and provenance and to be in such an incredibly fine condition throughout, this car would be more than at home at any club or classic car rally, meeting or show, and would probably pick up a few prizes along the way for being such a remaining exceptionable example of only 88 ever made.