The Alvis Firebird was a British touring car made between 1935 and 1939 by Alvis in Coventry. Developed from the Firefly, 449 Firebirds were produced as a two-door tourer, a 2+2 sports tourer, a two-door drophead coupé and a four-door saloon.
Alvis Firebird at a glance
| Production | 1935–1939, 449 built |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1,842 cc four-cylinder, overhead valves |
| Bodies | tourer, 2+2 sports tourer, drophead coupé, saloon; aluminium on an ash frame |
| Gearbox | all-synchromesh |
| Coachbuilder | Cross & Ellis, to customer order |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alvis Firebird
The Firebird was powered by an 1,842 cc overhead-valve Alvis four-cylinder with aluminium bodywork on an ash wood frame. As with other Alvis cars it was built as a rolling chassis and sent to the coachbuilder Cross & Ellis to be finished to the customer’s requirements, so all Firebirds are different. The chassis was lubricated by grease nipples under the bonnet.
In 1939 World War II halted Alvis car production in favour of aircraft engines, and a German bomb destroyed the Alvis car factory in 1940.
Design and features
- Gearbox: all-synchromesh.
- Body: aluminium panels on an ash wood frame.
Alvis Firebird versions
- Two-door tourer, 2+2 sports tourer, drophead coupé and four-door saloon.
More Alvis cars are in our Alvis collection, for example the Firefly it grew out of and the Speed 25.
Alvis Firebird questions and answers
How many Firebirds were made?
449.
What engine did it use?
An 1,842 cc four-cylinder overhead-valve engine.
Who made the bodies?
Cross & Ellis, finishing each car to customer order.
Sources
- Alvis Firebird, English Wikipedia: history and specifications
