Alvis Firefly
| Alvis Firefly | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alvis |
| Production | 1932–1934 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Alvis 12/50 |
| Successor | Alvis Firebird |
The Alvis Firefly is a car manufactured by Alvis from 1932 until 1934. It followed on from the 12/50 TJ model.[1]
The car has a straight-four engine with overhead valves. The engine, with a single SU carburettor and a displacement of 1,496 cm3, develops 50 bhp (37 kW) at 4,500 rpm. The engine is essentially the same as that of the 12/50 TH model from 1927, and of the 12/50 SD from 1927 to 1929. This made it economical to manufacture, and put the car in the 1.5-litre class, which was popular at that time.
A roadster was introduced in 1932.[2] In 1933, a four-door tourer, a saloon, and a two-door convertible were introduced, all under the name Alvis Firefly 12.[3] The car has rigid axles at the front and rear, from which it is suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs. The wheelbase, the type of suspension and, in some cases, the bodies, corresponded to the previous straight-six Alvis Silver Eagle SE and TB. The top speed was about 71 miles per hour (114 km/h), depending on the design.
In 1934, the Alvis Firebird replaced all the Firefly models. In all, 904 Firefly Roadsters[2] and 871 Firefly 12s[3] were built.
References
- ^ "A Technical Description of the Alvis "Firefly"". Motorsport Magazine. February 1933. p. 32. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Alvis Firefly". Motorbase – The Home of Classic Car Information. Retrieved 29 June 2017.Archived 10 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Alvis Firefly 12". Motorbase – The Home of Classic Car Information. Retrieved 29 June 2017.Archived 10 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
Sources
- Culshaw, David; Horrobin, Peter (1997). The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895–1975. Dorchester: Veloce Publishing. pp. 35–40. ISBN 1-874105-93-6.