1939 | Alvis 12 / 70

Highly successful rally car – fast, reliable, full of character. In the hands of its current owner for over 25 years. Sympathetic (and genuine!) patina.

The Alvis 12/70 has long been a popular basis for building specials. This particular example is believed to be one of the earliest — and served as inspiration for many later “replicas.”

Originally built in England many years ago, this car competed successfully in VSCC racing events, with documented appearances at Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Cadwell Park, and Mallory. Naturally, it comes with VSCC eligibility papers. The Alvis has been in Germany since the mid-1990s and has belonged to its current owner since 2000, who has campaigned the car with great success at many of Europe’s most prestigious events: Klausenrennen, Vintage Montlhéry, OGP Nürburgring, Gaisberg, GP Bern, Großglockner Revival, Classic Days, Arlberg Classic, Silvretta Classic, and many more.

To achieve the beautifully balanced body proportions, the engine was mounted a few centimeters lower in the chassis during construction. This not only benefits the car’s visual appearance but also lowers the center of gravity — giving this Alvis exceptionally good handling for a pre-war car and making it impressively quick.

Alvis 12/70 chassis are frequently “upgraded” with 6-cylinder engines, which may be fast on the straights but often results in nose-heavy, cumbersome cornering. Not this car. It proudly retains its original, fantastic-sounding 4-cylinder engine and original 4-speed gearbox (synchromesh on 2nd to 4th gears) — all matching numbers. Thanks to numerous subtle performance improvements, it now delivers approximately 85 hp, making it light, quick, and remarkably reliable.

Over the years, the car has been continuously improved with great attention to detail and its original character: lightened flywheel, electronic ignition, reinforced suspension, larger fuel tank, enlarged valves, uprated hydraulic brakes, racing tires, sports exhaust, new interior, repositioned pedals for taller drivers, Brooklands aero screens, and much more.

This car proudly carries its authentic patina, wearing the marks of its successful competition history with pride. It is definitely not for those seeking a polished “trailer queen,” but for true enthusiasts who appreciate a competitive, usable vintage car with access to all major historic events — whether on the road or on the racetrack.