1936 Alvis Firebird SA 13.22 Cross & Ellis Tourer
1 of just 25 examples made

Registration No: BRU 333
Chassis No: 13444
MOT: Exempt

• Only four owners from new (two within the same family)
• Finished in its original colour scheme of Desert Sand with Brown leather upholstery
• Subject to an extensive chassis up restoration from 1991-1993 and toured throughout the UK and Europe plus a trip to New Zealand in 2003
• Nicely detailed with Alvis centred Rotax headlamps and Lucas 'Owl Eye' rear lights
• Matching chassis and engine numbers
• History file includes buff and green logbooks plus the original handbook and restoration details etc
• A very rare, elegant and usable Post Vintage Thoroughbred

Built to the same high standards as its more expensive brethren, the Alvis Firebird was only current from August 1934 to December 1936 by which time some 450 had been made. Powered by an 1842cc OHV four-cylinder engine allied to four-speed manual transmission, the model was reputedly capable of 75mph.

According to its accompanying copy build record, chassis 13444 was fitted with engine 13894. One of just twenty-five cars to be bodied as a Four-Seater Tourer by Cross & Ellis, it was finished in Desert Sand with Brown leather upholstery and despatched to Messrs Windmill & Lewis of Bristol on 25^th February 1936. First registered as ‘BRU 333’ to H.G. Ackland of Bournemouth two days later, the Firebird was bought by A.S. Broughton on 18^th November 1952 at an indicated 28,000 miles. A replacement for the Alvis 12/60 which his family had outgrown, the Tourer was pressed into service as an everyday car for the next twenty-four years plus holidays throughout the UK, France and Switzerland. Having covered some 175,000 miles by the time it was inherited by A.C. Broughton during 1980, the Tourer was treated to an extensive, ‘ground-up’ restoration early the following decade. Fitted with new white metal bearings, pistons and hardened valve seats (for unleaded fuel), the original engine was also balanced. Repairs were made to the woodwork as necessary, and replacement wings / running boards fabricated. Repainted and retrimmed in keeping with its initial build specification, ‘BRU 333’ was uprated with a fan and flashing indicators in 1996.

Enjoyed by the younger Mr Broughton for leisure purposes only, the Alvis completed numerous UK tours and a 2,000-mile trek across New Zealand in 2003. Entering the current (fourth) ownership ten years ago, the Firebird has continued its wandering ways via numerous UK and European sorties. Still highly presentable, ‘BRU 333’ sports a period correct RAC Associate badge, Alvis-centred headlights and Lucas ‘Owl Eye’ rear lights. A rare opportunity to acquire a highly original Post-Vintage Thoroughbred with a wonderful provenance.