Alvis’ s first car, the 1030, and one of the comany’ s continuation models, the Bertelli
Other internals, such as conrods, camshafts and pistons, also come from Alvis’ s extensive inventory, which already supports a global network of over 4500 Alvis cars still on the road. Some are original stock, while others have been remanufactured by reverse engineering existing parts, using an enormous archive of 25,000 drawings and diagrams. This careful balance between old and new, alongside rigorous testing and a blend of traditional and modern techniques, promises Alvis owners a unique blend of originality and reliability.
The pre-war Continuation Series engines require a different strategy. For Alvis’ s famous 4.3-litre, six-cylinder engine, limited old stock means the company relies on its reverse engineering process, aided by approximately
25,000 pre-war blueprints and drawings. Components such as the crankcase, cylinder block and cylinder head are all modelled and machined in-house. While the engines retain their original architecture, they are subtly reengineered to accommodate modern fuels and emissions requirements, including a catalytic converter. The original SU carburettors are replaced with throttle bodies that mimic their appearance but are controlled by a modern engine management system, allowing for precise fuelling and ignition control. This improves drivability and reliability without sacrificing character.
Engines are assembled by hand and extensively tested on a rolling road. The result is an engine that looks, sounds and feels true to its Thirties counterpart.
46 The Engine Rebuilder Issue 03