Historically, one of Coventry’s finest motor manufacturers, the Alvis Car Company had raced sporadically; first extraordinarily fast side-valve cars at Brooklands then the legendary 12/50 in 1928, the most ambitious eight-cylinder Grand Prix car.

But due to ever changing times and circumstances that usually prevail throughout history, no great successes were forthcoming.

It’s ironic that in 1927, the six-cylinder Silver Eagle engine had arrived in 1800cc format, an advanced and well-designed unit possessing considerable potential and with the sound principles and approach, the company had always displayed.

It is a tragedy that the company weren’t able to grasp and capitalise, on a competition basis, using this most exciting format because the unit was simply fitted into the very lightweight 12/50 platform chassis.

With the removable front cross member utilising a fine gearbox and sitting amidships providing favourable weight distribution, like all Alvis’s, the components were beaut...