Makes › Alvis › 12/70 · Rare production · 1937–1940 Very Rare
Alvis
12/70
Alvis 12/70, the lightest pre-war Alvis chassis with the strongest engine.
Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Redsimon · CC BY 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 741 Built
- Years
- 1937–1940
- Engine
- four-cylinder (in-line not stated) · 1,842 cc / 1.8 LFactory: 1,842 cc
- Power
- 47 kW / 63.9 PSFactory: 63 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 129 km/hFactory: 80 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 121 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 12/70 combined the lightest pre-war Alvis chassis with the strongest Alvis engine, making it the basis of many racing specials. After the war the 12/70 became the TA14.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model production12/70 cars known to survive per the Alvis Archive table | 1212 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model production12/70 cars built, per the Alvis Archive production table | 7411 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The 12/70 was the four-cylinder sister of the Silver Crest and appeared in 1937. It used a higher proportion of bought-in components than earlier Alvis cars, including brakes from Bendix Cowdrey, and standard bodies were by Mulliner of Birmingham.
A 1939 update enlarged the saloon and moved the spare wheel outside the boot. After the war the 12/70 chassis was used for the TA14.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 12/70.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | four-cylinder (in-line not stated)3 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 43 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 1,842 cc / 1.8 LFactory: 1,842 cc3 Independently researched |
| Bore | 73 mmFactory: 73 mm3 Independently researched |
| Stroke | 110 mmFactory: 110 mm3 Independently researched |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | downdraught SU carburettor (some sports tourers had twin)3 Independently researched |
| Power | 47 kW / 63.9 PSFactory: 63 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSource says 'over 63 bhp'; 63 entered as the stated floor. Rating standard not stated. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4-speed gearbox of unit construction, synchromesh on top three gears3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | lightened chassis, boxed front and rear3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Bendix Cowdrey (bought-in)3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 129 km/hFactory: 80 mph · converted3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Red Triangle - The Alvis Archive: Alvis Car Production Level B
- 741 12/70 cars built, per the Alvis Archive production table
-
2
Red Triangle - The Alvis Archive: Alvis Car Production Level B The Alvis Archive
- 12/70 | 741 | 121 | 16.3%
-
3
The 12/70 Level B Alvis Owners Club (alvisoc.org archive page)
- four-cylinder sister of the Silver Crest
- 73 x 110 mm for 1842 cc
- A downdraught SU carburetter
- Output was over 63 bhp
- The 4-speed gearbox, of unit construction, had synchromesh
- boxed front and rear to maintain
- brakes (from Bendix Cowdrey)
- Maximum speed was 80 mph
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