Alvis Firefly Cross & Ellis Tourer

Launched in the Autumn of 1932, the Alvis Firefly was essentially a slightly smaller and less costly four-cylinder version of the legendary six-cylinder Alvis Speed 20. Handsome and sporting, it had a notably wide track and low-slung ‘double-dropped’ chassis with a 118-inch wheelbase, only five inches shorter than the Speed 20, that endowed it with excellent handling and roadholding characteristics. Suspension was by semi-elliptic leaf springs all round with friction dampers and four-wheel 14-inch drum brakes.

Power came from a 1.5-litre OHV engine that produced 50bhp at 4,250rpm, driving through a four-speed manual or ENV pre-selector gearbox, that could propel the car to 70mph. Available with saloon, tourer or drophead coupe coachwork, mainly by Cross & Ellis, it was replaced by the 1.8-litre Firebird in 1935 by which time some 904 examples had been sold.

This beautiful 1933 four-seat tourer was originally black but was refinished in blue with a red leather interior during a substantial cosmetic restoration in the 1990s. The current owner acquired the car about eight years ago and has since spent over £12,000 turning it into a very reliable and capable machine for long distance tours and rallies. This included an engine rebuild with all ancillaries, an overhaul of the braking, steering and suspension systems, rebuilt wheels and refurbished headlamps plus replacement of the half-shafts, most of which is fully documented in the history file.

Zealously maintained by the current owner since, the car is said to drive beautifully and to be in very good order throughout. Well known on the Alvis circuit where it is affectionately referred to as ‘Mr Tickle’, it comes with an old buff log book and details of the build record showing it to be a matching numbers machine, a large history file, and a copy of the Alvis Owners Club February 1979 Bulletin which contains a feature on the rebuild of the car.

Freshly MOTd, taxed and serviced prior to the sale, it is only reluctantly being sold due to the owner's recent health problems. A manual gearbox model that is on the button and ready to go, it comes with a quantity of useful spares and is sure to provide a huge amount of fun for a proud new owner. The vendor will be at the sale with further information for prospective bidders if desired.