The Alvis Car Company has reached a major milestone in the restoration of the only front-wheel-drive Alvis Grand Prix car that still exists.
A mix of period photographs and modern CAD software have been used to remanufacture new components at Alvis’ base in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
The complete rolling chassis was revealed at the Automobile Council 2023 in Chiba City, Japan, on 14 April.
The classic Alvis Grand Prix car has an eight-cylinder, supercharged engine mounted behind a longitudinal gearbox
Revealed in 1927, the Alvis Grand Prix car surprised its competitors with a front-drive layout.
The interesting design ditched a conventional front axle in favour of a steering system that used four elliptic leaf springs.
Alvis entered two cars – including this, #2 – into the 1927 British Grand Prix, but mechanical issues stopped both from making it past the start line.
A couple of weeks later, #2 had a more successful outing at Brooklands. It started second in the JCC 200 Mile Race in the hands of George Duller, but engine problems forced an early retirement.
The #2 Alvis Grand Prix car made its race debut at Brooklands (left); the start of the 1927 JCC 200 Mile Race
