Highlights
- Bespoke Tourer built by specialist Alan Wildin over two years
- Created over 1,000s of hours and equivalent of £200,000 cost
- Comprehensive rebuild with a meticulously documented history
- Only 7,500 miles covered since restoration
- Recently upgraded cooling system by Alvis specialists, Red Triangle
- Registered as an Alvis Tourer and well known in AOC circles
The Appeal
What happens when one very knowledgeable and clever man decides to build the model Alvis never quite managed? That would be this car, the one-off, bespoke ‘Alwin’ Continental Tourer, conceived and carefully crafted by well-known vintage specialist Alan Wildin of Alwin Bodies.
The handsome burgundy bodywork was built on a 1937 Alvis 4.3 pre-war chassis. Fewer than 200 of these 100mph cars are believed to have been built, so this car was already special before Alan set to work. The evolution took over two years between 1993 and 1995 and involved 1,000s of hours. Had he charged for his time, the build cost would have been over £200,000.
Underneath the original Alvis bonnet - the only factory part that was retained - there is a Speed 25 3.5L engine. The mechanicals and running gear, like every other aspect of the car, were fully overhauled and renovated during the build. The car has covered only 7,500 miles since completion.
Complementing the attractive and well-proportioned four seat continental-style bodywork is a red leather interior with smart veneered dashboard. A beige roof and matching tonneau complete the picture.
This car was used regularly by the Wildin family to 2009, including attending various Alvis Owners Club events including at Brooklands and Prescott. The car was then dry stored but run regularly. Recent checks by Alvis specialist Red Triangle resulted in fitting an upgraded electric fan with auto-thermo control.
The extensive history file includes a 100-page booklet documenting the build that contains 120 colour photographs.
Our final words are addressed to the many vintage enthusiasts. Will you find another? Definitely no. Should you buy this evocative car? To that, we answer a resounding yes.
The vendor says:
“Now ready for a new owner to experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel of this quintessentially British Alvis Tourer, on a lovely sunny, exhilarating Sunday drive. Just invest and enjoy!”
History and Paperwork
- Donor vehicle first registered 5th June 1937
- Based on an Alvis 4.3 chassis, one of around 200 built
- Rebuilt by Alan Wildin between 1993 and 1995
- Passed its first MOT following the build in April 1995
- V5 correctly registered as an Alvis Tourer
- Comes with a comprehensive history folder and a detailed Book of the Rebuild
- Approximately 7,500 miles covered since restoration
- Tools included as shown
- No VAT charged on car sale price
Bodywork specification as set by Alan Wildin:
- No visible spare wheel
- Wide doors
- Lie-flat screen
- No side windows
- Foldable convertible hood
- Full tonneau cover up
- Front wings running continuously through to the rear wings
- Full length running boards
The vendor says:
“Alan’s dream was to build a traditionally styled pre-war car, with open coachwork, to his own design for his personal use. The project started in 1993 with a no expense spared approach, the running gear was subject to a complete dismantle and meticulous rebuild then clothed with a curvaceous aluminium, hand-built, alloy body (all welded together using oxyacetylene) then mounted on a framework of English ash, the original lengthy bonnet being retained, along with the P100 Lucas lamps.
“From conception to birth, took two years, all painstakingly itemised in an accompanying bound volume Book of around 100 pages. with day to day information about the engineering programme along with some interesting anecdotal history, backed up by 120 colour photos, these show that not a stone was left unturned, and that the thousands of hours, had they been charged at his normal commercial rates, would have been eye watering, think in excess of £200,000 today!
“It was intended that the overall design would emulate the golden age of 30’s motoring and one with which Alvis would have approved.
“In April 1995 the car passed its first MOT and was taxed and back on the road, subsequently being campaigned extensively by the Wildin family, attending AOC events including Brooklands and Prescott. Since 2009 it has been kept in dry storage, but run periodically. Approx 7, 500 miles have only been covered since its renaissance.
The Condition
- Bespoke, hand-crafted bodywork by specialist Alwin Bodies created over two years
- Aluminium hand-built body over an English Ash frame
- Finished in burgundy paintwork which remains well kept
- The car exhibits a gentle patina to interior and exterior that adds to its character
- There are a few marks to note to paintwork but nothing beyond light patina
- Bodywork features a curvaceous aluminium design with no visible spare wheel
- Matching burgundy wire wheels in fair condition with some age to note
- Fitted with vintage tyres that appear to present well and be in good condition
- New chrome spinners fitted to wire wheels
- Interior features burgundy Connolly hide upholstery and Wilton floor carpets
- The steering wheel is bound in grey cord
- Walnut veneers present a high-quality finish to dashboard
- Equipped with a foldable convertible hood and full tonneau cover in matching beige
- Well detailed vehicle including fabric-wrapped four spoke wheel and vintage dials
- Well kept chromework with correct Lucas headlights and badge bar
- Practical four seat layout with decent sized boot reflecting ‘continental touring’ ethos
The vendor says:
Finished in period Burgundy Red, complimented with Connelly Hide upholstery and Wilton floor carpets to tone, and glass-like finish walnut veneers. The result is a beautifully executed example of traditional craftsmanship that does credit to it’s designer builder. The skilled precision involved is amply demonstrated by the absence of wing piping in the rear wings, which Alan said was only used by others to disguise poorly fitting components!
The Mechanics
- 3.5 litres Alvis Speed 25 engine
- Manual gearbox
- Recent work by Red Triangle, the Alvis specialist
- Work included fitting multi-bladed electronic cooling fan with auto-thermo control
- Dry stored in recent years but periodically started and run but will probably need some owner recommissioning and servicing before regular use
- Car supplied with tools and jack as shown
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