Highlights
- Only survivor of just 74 Firefly Charlesworth Saloons ever produced
- Pretty car in light blue with black wings and darker blue wire wheels
- Original body never been rebuilt
- In current ownership for 47 years since 1977
- Original burgundy leather seats with distinctive sun ray pattern door cards
- Recently rebuilt engine and pre-selector gearbox
- Fitted with stainless steel exhaust and new head gasket
The Appeal
The Firefly replaced the long-running 12/50 in 1933. It introduced a new 1.5L 4cyl engine, but retained the earlier car’s double drop frame. It was supplied without a body, leaving suppliers like local coachbuilder Charlesworth to finish cars to buyers’ requirements.
Charlesworth had begun supplying bodies for Alvis cars in 1921 and built 74 rakish saloons on the Firefly chassis. This car, likely one of the first built, is believed to be the sole survivor.
It is a magnificent vehicle and highly original. The vendor acquired the car in 1977 and tells us that the lovely light blue and black body is original and has never been restored. Likewise, while the headlining and carpets are more recent, the burgundy leather interior with its Art Deco ‘Sun Ray’ door cards is the same as it left the factory 92 years ago.
Under the bonnet, the 1,497cc OHV engine has been rebuilt in recent years, as has the pre-selector gearbox. There is also a new head gasket and a replacement stainless steel exhaust. The vendor reports that it has been regularly serviced and maintained during its life.
The joy of this car is its exceptional rarity and its wonderful original, patinaed condition. Any Alvis is an evocative purchase, but this one is particularly so. We wish it well with its first new keeper in nearly 50 years.
The vendor says:
“This car is one of the most original cars you could hope to find it has never been restored but just looked after and we'll cared for and serviced regularly.
“The car drives just as you would expect a car of this age to do and is a joy to drive.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 22nd May 1933
- Chassis number 10477
- DVLA records two registered keepers
- DVLA also records current keeper since April 2024
- The vendor confirms five previous keepers prior to him
- He advises that he acquired the car on 3rd August 1977
- The variation in detail is likely due to DVLA record-keeping and issuing a new V5
- Dispatched to Messers Honley Engineering in Honley, Yorkshire on 8th May 1933
- The vendor states the car has been regularly serviced and well-maintained throughout their ownership
The vendor says:
“This Firefly Charlesworth Saloon is one of only 74 produced by Alvis and is believed to be the only surviving example still on the road to this day. It was despatched to Messers Honley Engineering in Honley Yorkshire on the 8th May !933 it then had 5 owners in between the present owners who bought the car on the 3rd of August 1977 and remains with them to this very day.”
The Condition
- Rare coachbuilt body by Coventry specialist Charlesworth
- Original body that the vendor states has never been rebuilt
- Finished in light blue with black mudguards and a fabric roof
- Paintwork shows signs of patina such as marks and stone chips
- Door shut lines remain correct and flush
- Vendor reports that doors open and close with a distinctive "railway carriage" sound
- Paintwork presents as serviceable though with some age-related defects
- Blue painted wire wheels fitted with vintage tyres as shown
- Exterior fittings such as chromework and lights appear patinated but very presentable
- Original burgundy leather seats in smart condition for age with just a few small cracks
- Original door cards feature distinctive sun ray pattern design
- Headlining and carpets have been replaced at some point
- Dashboard and door surrounds appear in very good order
- Extensive wood veneers and Smiths dials fitted
- Spacious four-seat interior with large exterior boot
The vendor says:
“The body of this Firefly is totally original and has never been rebuilt and is one of the best you could find, all the door shut lines are correct and open and close with that distinctive railway carriage sound,, although the paintwork looks presentable and would do a few more years service it does have some defects that you would expect to find on a car of this age.
“The headlining and the carpets have been replaced at some stage but the leather work of the seats is totally original as are the door cards who's design are of the sun Ray pattern, in general the leather work is excellent for a car of this age with just a few very small cracks,
The dash and door surounds are all in first class condition.”
The Mechanics
- 1,497cc 4cyl OHV Alvis engine
- 4spd pre-select gearbox
- Engine and gearbox have been rebuilt in recent years
- Maintains good oil pressure according to seller
- Recently fitted with a new head gasket
- New stainless steel exhaust fitted
- The vendor states the car drives as expected for its age
- Fireflys were known for their good brakes when new
The vendor says:
“In recent years, the car has had an engine rebuild and performs as it should, and has excellent oil pressure and has recently had a new head gasket and stainless exhaust fitted. The pre-select gearbox has also had a rebuild carried out, and the gear change is precise and very smooth.”
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