ALVIS (4th Edition)

The Story Of The Red Triangle

RRP: £45.00
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978 1 84425 524 5

For nearly half a century Coventry based Alvis was famed for the design and manufacture of thoroughbred performance cars based on racing and record breaking successes. At Brooklands from 1925 Alvis led with front wheel drive and other design advances which enabled the company to enter the aero engine and armoured vehicle industries in the mid 1930s Alvis armoured vehicles are still in use around the world notably in Iraq and Afghanistan

This book is more than the success story of Alvis, the book is also a tribute to the Alvis founder, a courageous Welshman named Thomas George John (1880-1946). A brilliant naval architect, engineer and inspiring leader of men, he was employed by The Admiralty before becoming a shipbuilding manager at a base of submarine development. In 1915, he was appointed chief engineer and works manager of a car manufacturer with a large order for a British designed aero engine, then in 1919 he established his own engineering works in Coventry, producing a small car of above-average performance with the name Alvis.

Following a very substantial contribution to wartime production, Alvis became the last British constructor of radial aero engines. 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.

This redesigned and expanded fourth edition of Kenneth Day's authoritative book brings the fascinating British success story fully up to date. It includes important new material from alvis engineers and is the definitive history of the marque.

The unique identity of Alvis continues. Red Triangle Autoservices Ltd established by Alvis in 1967 when car production ceased, is the 'home of Alvis cars'. Alvis personnel have joined British aerospace or are in retirement while organisations for car and armoured car owners exist here and abroad.

The author Kenneth Day is President Emeritus of the Alvis Owners Club, and a respected Alvis historian. He has owned seven Alvis cars, including three Speed Twenty Fives, and 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, the birthplace of British motorsport, with which Alvis had such close links. He lives in Weybridge, Surrey.