 Type II 12/70 sports saloon | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alvis |
| Production | 1937–1940[1] 741 made |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | Sports saloon with luggage boot or 4-seater drophead coupé[1] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,842 cc OHV I4[1] |
| Transmission | Single plate clutch, 4-speed centrally changed by a short lever gearbox, synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and top, half-floating spiral bevel driven axle |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106 in (2,692 mm)[1] track 50 in (1,270 mm)[1] |
| Length | 170 in (4,318 mm)[2] |
| Width | 62 in (1,575 mm)[2] |
| Kerb weight | Saloon 25cwt[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Alvis Firebird |
| Successor | Alvis TA 14 |
| Alvis 12/70 Engine | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alvis |
| Production | 1937 to 1940 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | straight four |
| Displacement | 1.842 L (112.4 cu in)[1] |
| Cylinder bore | 73 mm (2.9 in)[1] |
| Piston stroke | 110 mm (4.3 in)[1] |
| Cylinder block material | three bearing crankshaft[3] pistons aluminium alloy[4] |
| Valvetrain | push-rod operated overhead valves[1] with double springs[3] camshaft driven by a triplex roller chain[4] |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | single downdraught carburettor with an air silencer[1] electrical petrol pump[3] |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Cooling system | forced water circulation[1] thermostatically controlled[3] |
| Output | |
| Power output | 63.5 bhp @ 4,250 rpm[3] Tax rating 13.22hp[1] |
The Alvis 12/70 was announced by Alvis cars 22 September 1937.[1] It was a four-cylinder sports saloon or 4-seater drophead coupé related to the pricier six-cylinder Alvis Silver Crest.
Technical director and chief designer Smith-Clarke was fully occupied with a new factory to make Alvis's Gnome-Rhone radial engines so the 12/70 was designed by George Lanchester and it proved to be his last automobile design.[5]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cars Of 1938. A New Alvis. The Times, Wednesday, Sep 22, 1937; pg. 6; Issue 47796
- ^ a b Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b c d e f Cars Of To-Day. The Times, Tuesday, Jun 14, 1938; pg. 10; Issue 48020
- ^ a b The Motor Show. The Times, Friday, Oct 14, 1938; pg. 7; Issue 48125
- ^ Lanchester Motorcars, A History by Anthony Bird and Francis Hutton-Stott, Montagu Motor Book, Cassell, London 1965