The Alvis Car Company has resurrected its legendary 4.3-liter straight-six engine from 1936, combining original storage-found engine blocks with modern closed-loop fuel injection to produce 170 horsepower while meeting current emissions regulations. According to company specifications, the modernized powerplant features an aluminum cylinder head, forged pistons, and a one-piece seven-bearing crankshaft, powering continuation models that start at roughly $437,000.
Resurrecting a 1930s Supercar Engine
The straight-six engine dates back to 1936, when it originally powered fast British cars with 137 horsepower, an all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission, and independent front suspension. Alvis ceased operations in 1967, leaving behind an inventory of unused engine blocks and components. In 2021, the company revived the design as part of its Continuation Series. Today’s continuation models—including the Vanden Plas, Bertelli, Lancefield, and Park Ward—utilize these resurrected castings alongside a smaller 3.0-liter unit reserved exclusively for the Alvis Graber.
Pro Tip: Buyers interested in more accessible entry points can find original Alvis models on the secondary market. A solid 1960s TE21 sedan generally commands between $20,000 and $50,000, while a late-1930s 4.3-Litre luxury tourer can fetch upwards of $250,000.
Modern Compliance and Engineering Upgrades
While early continuation cars relied on off-the-shelf original engine blocks, current production utilizes custom-made blocks built strictly to historical drawings. Engineers swapped the original iron cylinder head for an aluminum unit to improve heat dissipation and standard lubrication is handled by modern 20w50 multi-grade engine oil. The addition of electronic fuel injection and tighter machining tolerances raises output from the historical 137 hp to 170 hp at 4,400 rpm, while also improving fuel economy and drivability.
The transmission has similarly evolved to match modern driving demands. Early four-speed gearboxes have been replaced by a five-speed Tremec unit for the 3.0-liter chassis and a six-speed Tremec for the 4.3-liter cars, accompanied by the addition of power steering. Each hand-built engine undergoes visual inspection, crack testing, pressure testing for coolant integrity, and precise dimensional examination before assembly.
Did You Know? Alec Issigonis, the automotive designer who later created the iconic BMC Mini, worked at Alvis on a front-wheel-drive prototype platform featuring a 3.5-liter V8 engine before joining the British Motor Corporation in 1959.
A Legacy of British Automotive Innovation
Founded by Thomas George John in Coventry, England, in 1919, Alvis established an early reputation for technical achievement. The company launched the 12/50 sports model in 1923 and became the first automaker in the world to design and race a front-wheel-drive car in 1925. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Alvis introduced significant milestones, including a 100-mph chassis on the Speed 20 in 1931 and the world’s first all-synchromesh gearbox in 1933.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a continuation Alvis cost?
Pricing for the Alvis continuation series starts at approximately $437,000 for models like the Vanden Plas, which includes a three-year warranty on the hand-built engine.
What horsepower does the modernized 4.3-liter straight-six produce?
The modernized engine generates 170 horsepower at 4,400 rpm, an increase from the original 1936 specification of 137 horsepower, achieved via electronic fuel injection and modern machining tolerances.
Which Alvis models use the 4.3-liter engine?
The Vanden Plas, Bertelli, Lancefield, and Park Ward continuation models all run the 4.3-liter straight-six unit, while the Alvis Graber utilizes a smaller 3.0-liter engine.
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