The first post-war Continuation Series model, a 3.0-liter Graber Super Coupé from The Alvis Car Company, has been finished. After a two-year build, which was delayed by the pandemic, the completion of the brand-new Graber, destined for Japan, represents a major milestone for the company, which is set to ship at least five cars to customers there via Meiji Sangyo, Alvis’ Japanese distributor.
The Graber Super Coupé is one of six models offered in the expanded Alvis’ Continuation Series with both pre and post-war derivatives. Each model is built to a bespoke specification with options such as air conditioning and all comply with regulations to be driven on the road. All six have been developed from original drawings and feature an in-house designed and manufactured six-in-line 3-liter or 4.3-liter engine.
This car draws on the new old stocks of chassis and engine blocks, carefully stored by Alvis since the Coventry factory closed in 1967. That’s when all the factory parts and racking were moved to Kenilworth where this Graber Super Coupé was assembled.
Thanks to the addition of fuel injection, a higher compression ratio (9.5:1), and modern digital machining processes resulting in tighter tolerances, the engine produces 172bhp, up 42bhp from the 1960s version. Torque also rises to 209 ft/lbs @ 3750 rpm and it can achieve a 0-60 time of 8.9 seconds.
Seeing the Graber Super Coupé leave the works at Kenilworth for the first time was a huge moment for all of us at The Alvis Car Compan. So much hard work has gone into producing it by our staff over the past two years, that it’s almost sad to see it leave.
The all-aluminium bodywork looks stunning up close, the engine runs faultlessly and the handcrafted interior is both comfortable and stylish. As a complete package, this Graber serves as a reminder that our manufacturing processes, which haven’t changed at Alvis since the early 20th century, still produce a product of the highest quality. And unlike so many continuation cars, we have ensured this can be enjoyed on the road.
Alan Stote – managing director, Alvis Car Company
With the Graber Super Coupé now road-tested and ready for shipment, focus shifts to the build of the first Continuation Series Graber Cabriolet, which is also set to be exported to the Far East in 2022 and in parallel, the first Lancefield pre-war 4.3 chassis car.
Prices start at £295,000 for pre-war Continuation Series cars with the Graber Super Coupé starting at £323,000.
A brief history of Alvis and its ‘firsts’
T.G. John began manufacturing Alvis cars in Coventry in 1920. Coachwork was supplied by Cross & Ellis and Carbodies. In 1925 Alvis became the first car manufacturer in the world to design and race a front-wheel-drive model. A year later, the Alvis straight-eight FWD GP racing car lapped Brooklands at 121mph and in 1928 Alvis FWD models finished 1st and 2nd in class at Le Mans 24-hours. The company started producing and marketing FWD cars that year.
Another world-first was achieved in 1933, when Alvis designed the world’s first all-synchromesh gearbox and started working on the first British car with independent front suspension.
After the war, Alec Issigonis joined Alvis to design a prototype 3500cc V8 engine.
In 1968, the Alvis passenger car division was relocated to Kenilworth; 60,000 works drawings, technical data sheets, and correspondence files are stored there. Through wholly-owned Red Triangle, it continued to manufacture parts and restore Alvis cars for existing customers worldwide.
Synonymous with craftsmanship and innovation from the twenties until 1968, the Alvis name and fame continue thanks to The Alvis Car Company, which produces Alvis cars renown for their outstanding quality and charismatic coachwork; it started developing the original Alvis-designed 3-liter and 4.3-liter units in 2010, focusing on meeting global emission regulations whilst remaining as faithful as possible to the Works drawings still held at the Kenilworth factory. The company manufactures its new range of bespoke limited edition Continuation Series and has just acquired its main dealer with exclusive rights for Asia, a respected Japanese company Meiji Sangyo.
Note: Press release courtesy of Alvis Car Company.
