Alvis aficionados will know of course, but to others it may come as a surprise: Alvis really did make front wheel drive cars. In itself FWD was nothing new, but in the UK it was virtually unknown back then. Alvis started experimenting in 1925 with an eight-cylinder racing car. In 1928 the company wanted to produce a car that would be available to the general public. Racing still the best way to advertise they entered two FWD cars at Le Mans, each equipped with a 1.5 four-cylinder. They finished in 6th and 9th place. Success in racing, yes, in sales, no. The FWD was very complicated in terms of maintenance. No problem on a racing circuit, but in the country garage... Merely 155 were made, with only 26 being the FA short chassis two-seater model. One of those 26 will be auctioned by Coys at Maastricht, The Netherlands, during Interclassics & Topmobiel on Saturday, January 18. It's a 1928 FA 1.5 Litre 12/50 with a body made by Cross & Ellis, the coachbuilders that almost caused Alvis' downfall in 1924. This 'Maastricht' Alvis has a well-known racing history. It's lot number 119!
( Coys, Maastricht 17-19 January)
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