Lot Ended
Description
Original Holbrook Saloon coachwork and original engine; just two
registered keepers since 1987; good running order; rare model, one of
only 324 made
Built to the
same high standards as its more expensive brethren, the Alvis Firebird was
effectively a smaller-engined version of the six-cylinder Silver Eagle SG and
was only in production from 1934 to 1936.
The
Firebird’s sturdy and reliable 1,842cc four-cylinder OHV engine produced 55bhp
and was mated to a four-speed all-synchro gearbox which made it good for a top
speed of around 70mph. Offered as a Saloon, Tourer or Drophead Coupe, only 450
were made of which 324 were saloons bodied by Holbrook.
'Well equipped, beautifully finished and of up-to-date design, the
price of £595 is moderate considering the quality of the chassis and coachwork,'
was how Motor magazine summed up the new saloon in
1934.
First registered in London in January 1935,
chassis 12380 was originally clothed in Holbrook Saloon coachwork which it
pleasingly retains to this day. Sadly there is no real history with the car but
the V5C shows that it was acquired by the current registered keeper in 2014 from
a Mr B Neale of East Grinstead who had owned it since 1987.
The MOT history online shows that the car was in regular use,
covering some 6,000 miles between 2005 and August 2012 when the last MOT was
issued which had no advisories. It has covered some 4,000 miles since, the
odometer currently showing 75,788 miles.
Our
vendor acquired the car late last year when it was being sold as a non-runner
from the estate of the deceased owner. An experienced vintage car buff with a
collection of interesting machines, he soon got the Firebird running by draining
the fuel system and adding fresh petrol, fitting a new coil and two new 6v
batteries and cleaning up the plugs and points. He reports that it now runs and
drives nicely.
He did contact the executors of
the estate to try to track down the history file for the car, which had clearly
been well-maintained, but was told that everything went while the house was
being cleared, which is a shame. Our vendor was intending to keep the car to use
on Post Vintage events but the recent purchase of yet another pre-war car from
Brightwells has meant that he does not have space to store them all, hence it’s
appearance in this sale.
As you can see in the
photos, it is in nicely mellowed condition and appears to retain its original
engine and all-synchro gearbox, although the V5C records the capacity as 1,670cc
which is presumably an error, but you will need to make your own minds up on
that score. It also retains its original (transferable) London-issue number
plate, BLP 160, which no doubt has a value of its own. An owner's handbook,
parts catalogue and highly detailed maintenance manual are also
present.
Starting
promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, this rare and
desirable Alvis is on offer here at a very attractive guide
price.
For more information contact James on
07970 309907 or email [email protected]