STUDIO434® ADDS A UNIQUE AND RARE RAILTON TO ITS GROWING CAR COLLECTION

STUDIO434® ADDS A UNIQUE AND RARE RAILTON TO ITS GROWING CAR COLLECTION

 1989 Railton Claremont

Studio434®, suggested to be the largest private car collection in Europe, has added a unique and rare 1989 Railton Claremont, a striking coupe designed by the late William Towns, to its growing collection. Studio434® cars have other models designed by the late William Towns including 24 Aston Martin Lagonda “Wedge” models – the world’s largest collection – plus the Hustler and Huntsman utilitarian vehicles.

The Railton Claremont is based on the Jaguar V12 XJS engine and underpinnings and was the brainchild of William Towns and is one of only two Railton tourers manufactured in 1989. The other is the Railton Fairmile, both cars were featured at the 1989 Motorfair, held at the legendary Earls Court exhibition site.

“I am a great fan of the iconic British car designer William Towns”, said Studio434® owner, Rodger Dudding,” and when I saw that the Railton Claremont was available at auction, I had to add it to our collection. It will now sit alongside our other William Towns’ designed cars including the Aston Martin Lagonda “Wedge” models, together with the unusual Hustler and Hunter vehicles”.

Studio434® now has over 460 cars and motorcycles representing models from the early 1900s to the present day. Many of the cards are used in films and tv series including Mr Selfridge, Peaky Blinders and The Crown, most recently some of Rodger’s cars were used in the Elton John biopic Rocketman.

ALVIS ANNOUNCES EXTENDED RANGE OF ROAD LEGAL PRE AND POST WAR CONTINUATION SERIES CARS

ALVIS ANNOUNCES EXTENDED RANGE OF ROAD LEGAL PRE AND POST WAR CONTINUATION SERIES CARS

In its centenary year, British automotive manufacturer Alvis adds a new chapter to its legend with an extended range of Continuation Series cars
Two chassis and six body derivatives will be produced according to original Works drawings
Post war cars feature unused chassis and engine blocks stored since the original factory closed in 1968
All cars IVA-approved and road-legal with three year warranty
Order received for five cars from original Japanese distributor

Warwickshire-based car manufacturer The Alvis Car Company is extending its range of road-legal pre-and post-War continuation cars, using key components such as chassis that have been stored for over fifty years. Remaining firmly faithful to Alvis’ original spirit and design focus a century after it was founded, the Continuation Series has now been extended to include two chassis and six body options with post-war derivatives assembled using original chassis and engine blocks unused since production stopped in 1968. Powered by either a 3-litre or 4.3-litre Alvis-designed in-line six-cylinder engine, each has been developed from the original Works designs and, thanks to fuel injection and modern engine management electronics, meets legislation in a number of markets including Japan, where five of the new cars have now been ordered.

Unlike many continuation cars on sale, Alvis has worked closely with VOSA to ensure its range is fully IVA-approved and road-legal. Each model is carefully hand-built at its Kenilworth Works, the home of Red Triangle, Alvis’ service and restoration centre, that was created when the original Coventry factory closed in 1968. At the time, the factory’s stock of chassis, engine blocks and thousands of other components were brought to Red Triangle and have been carefully stored in their original crates ever since.

Each derivative takes between 4-5,000 hours to build and features period bodywork styles created by prestigious coachbuilders of the times: 3-litre Park Ward Drop Head, 3-litre Graber Super Coupe, 3-litre Graber Super Cabriolet, 4.3-litre Vanden Plas Tourer, 4.3-litre Bertelli Coupe and 4.3-litre Lancefield Concealed Hood.

The Alvis series also carries the distinction of being true continuation cars rather than a re-interpretation of something long gone. Alongside using original parts on the 3-litre cars, the 4.3-engined car chassis numbers follow on from the numbers allocated to the pre-war production run. “Our models are, literally, what Alvis would have created had it not halted production for over 50 years,” explains Alan Stote, owner of The Alvis Car Company.  “The factory had planned to build 150 4.3-litre chassis in 1938. As the site suffered serious damage by bombing in 1940, only 73 chassis were completed so we will continue that series, with new chassis, built to the original drawings.”

All models are made to an individual specification with owners encouraged to visit the Works and review some of the 50,000 drawings, build sheets and history files for inspiration. “Blending history with modern technology is a delicate task, which the brand has undertaken sensitively. We are mindful of our original core values that ensured Alvis cars never suffered the fate of so many other British brands, which fall foul of quality standards and gained a bad reputation as a result. We offer a range of desirable options to make the car ideally suited for however you plan to use it,” adds Stote. “It can be a very practical and relaxing way to enjoy a classic driving experience, with added peace of mind thanks to a three year warranty.”

Specification

3 Litre models

• Choice of Super Coupe, Cabriolet and Drop Head Coupe body styles, all-aluminium body over ash frame on an original steel chassis
• 2993cc six-cylinder engine with fuel injection and Alvis engine management
• Five-speed transmission
• Disc brakes all round
• 15” wheels

4.3 Litre models

• Choice of Bertelli Sports Coupe, Lancefield Concealed Hood and Vanden Plas Tourer body styles
• 4387cc six-cylinder engine with fuel injection and Alvis engine management
• Six-speed transmission
• Disc brakes all round
• 19” wheels

Adding comfort to history, the Continuation Series offers a range of options including automatic transmission and power steering on the 3-litre models. Air conditioning, audio systems and servo-assisted brakes are optional across the range. Travelling in style is further enhanced by the choice of a three-piece matching Connolly leather Alvis luggage set

Coinciding with the launch of its extended range, Alvis has signed an international partnership with large Japanese automotive name, Meiji Sangyo, appointing the Tokyo-based business as its exclusive dealer, covering the whole of Asia. In another link to Alvis’ history, Tokyo-based Meiji Sangyo was its main agent in the Far East in the 1950s. “It underlines the enduring appeal of our cars that Meiji Sangyo wanted to be our distributor in the Far East. Knowing how quality is appreciated in Japan, our agreement with Meiji Sangyo is a huge recognition of our values.”

T.G. John began manufacturing Alvis cars in Coventry in 1920. Coachwork was supplied by Cross & Ellis and Carbodies. 

In 1925 Alvis became the first car manufacturer in the world to design and race a front-wheel-drive model. A year later, the Alvis straight-eight FWD GP racing car lapped Brooklands at 121mph and in 1928 Alvis FWD models finished first and second in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The company started producing and marketing FWD cars that year. 

Another world-first was achieved in 1933 when Alvis designed the world’s first all-synchromesh gearbox and started working on the first British car with independent front suspension. 

After the World War 2, Alec Issigonis joined Alvis to design a prototype 3500cc V8 engine. 

In 1968, the Alvis passenger car division was relocated to Kenilworth after 22,000 vehicles had been built; 50,000 works drawings, technical data sheets and correspondence files are stored there. Through wholly-owned Red Triangle, it continues to manufacture parts, service and restore Alvis cars for existing customers worldwide. 

Synonymous with craftsmanship and innovation from the twenties until 1968, the Alvis name and fame continue thanks to The Alvis Car Company, which produces Alvis cars renowned for their outstanding quality and charismatic coachwork. It started developing the original Alvis-designed 3-litre and 4.3-litre units in 2010, focusing on meeting global emission regulations whilst remaining as faithful as possible to the Works drawings still held at the Kenilworth factory. The company manufactures its new range of bespoke limited-edition Continuation Series and in 2019 has nominated respected Japanese company Meiji Sangyo to be its distributor in the region. 

FROM MORIBUND TO MILLE MIGLIA - THORNLEY KELHAM RESURRECTS DERELICT LANCIA FOR WORLD’S PREMIER CLASSIC RALLY

FROM MORIBUND TO MILLE MIGLIA - THORNLEY KELHAM RESURRECTS DERELICT LANCIA FOR WORLD’S PREMIER CLASSIC RALLY

 A 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 3 has been given a new lease of life by leading restoration specialists Thornley Kelham. The previously decaying classic has been taken from an almost unsalvageable restoration condition to factory fresh over a two-and-a-half-year period and has now been accepted into arguably the most prestigious classic car rally of all – the Mille Miglia.

Having restored a considerable number of Aurelias in the past, Thornley Kelham’s expertise in, and understanding of these models and their intricacies enabled their team to resurrect a vehicle that many others would have deemed beyond restoration.

The 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 3 was discovered in incredibly poor condition in the USA, with a staggering amount of rust plaguing the car. The usual rust points of these vehicles - namely floor pans, sills and door bottoms – had been totally ravaged by years left exposed to the elements. So severe was the problem that even the top of the wings had rusted through, the transmission tunnel had completely eroded, and the body required strengthening prior to being media blasted as the car had so little structural integrity.

Despite the condition of the vehicle, Thornley Kelham’s customer was determined to see the Aurelia resurrected and play his part in saving this rare car. The tired body was fully restored, in many cases by fabricating entirely new panels. A considerable portion of the lower body had to be fabricated whilst maintaining factory curvatures and shut lines, amongst myriad other repairs before moving onto Thornley Kelham’s paintshop to be prepared and painted in the original beige colour, as per the factory build sheet.

Given the owner’s aspirations to compete in the Mille Miglia, and the awful condition of the original seat frames, Thornley Kelham fabricated a set of its Rally De Corsa style seats and also carried out a common period competition upgrades of a Nardi floor shift, Nardi bonnet scoop and Nardi twin carburettors and Borrani “bi-metallic” wheels. Every component of the car was restored or replaced over a period of two and a half years, with the end result being a box fresh and period correct Aurelia – a far cry from the condition it entered the TK facility in.

Once completed, the owner’s maiden journey in the resurrected Aurelia was a 500-mile weekend of fault-free driving, testament to the thorough road testing and quality checks carried out prior to delivery. The next adventure for the car will be Mille Miglia. Thornley Kelham will provide a dedicated support team throughout the event with two mechanics allocated to the car at all times, allowing the owner to fully focus on the joy of driving and ensuring the car remains in superb order throughout the gruelling event.