The Alvis Car Company is set to unveil its latest Lancefield continuation car at the upcoming Automobile Council 2025 in Chiba City, Japan. This event marks a significant milestone for the British marque, reintroducing a model that first captivated audiences at the 1938 London Motor Show. The new Lancefield seamlessly blends the iconic Art Deco design with modern engineering, embodying the essence of a 21st-century Alvis.
Crafted entirely at the Alvis Works in Kenilworth, UK, the 2025 Lancefield stretches nearly five metres in length. Its design draws upon Alvis’ extensive archive, which includes over 25,000 drawings and 23,000 car records. In keeping with its heritage, the continuation model incorporates parts from the company’s meticulously preserved new old stock, some dating back to the end of car production in 1968.
Modern enhancements such as power steering, electronic engine management, and servo-operated brakes have been integrated without compromising the vehicle’s original character. To meet contemporary road-use legislation, the car features a catalytic converter, indicator repeater lights, and a collapsible steering column.
The Lancefield’s origins trace back to its debut at the 1938 London Motor Show, where it garnered attention for its elegant proportions and distinctive features, including concave flutings and a disappearing hood. The original model, designed by Lancefield Coachworks Limited, was a bespoke creation that commanded a price of £1,350, more than double the average house price at the time. Over the decades, the original car journeyed across North America, Germany, and Jamaica before returning to the UK in 1994.
In recreating the Lancefield, Alvis’ skilled craftspeople employed a blend of traditional coachbuilding techniques and contemporary tools. The aluminium bodywork was meticulously formed over a bespoke ash frame, a process that demanded approximately 3,800 hours of labour. The car is finished in an in-house applied two-tone cream paint, accentuating its classic aesthetic.
Under the bonnet lies a straight-six, 4,387cc engine assembled to the original specifications but enhanced with fuel injection and electronic engine management. These updates facilitate smoother throttle response and improved torque. The engine and body are mounted on a fully galvanised steel chassis, carrying a consecutive chassis number. Weighing just 1,500 kg, the Lancefield achieves 0-60 mph acceleration in under 10 seconds, offering both grace and performance.
Before delivery, each Lancefield undergoes comprehensive road testing on Warwickshire routes historically used by Alvis since the 1920s. The vehicle is supplied with an updated owner’s handbook, faithfully based on the original. This first Lancefield is destined for a Japanese enthusiast, following other continuation series models that have found homes through Meiji Sangyo, Alvis’ distributor in Japan for over 50 years.
Publicly displayed at Automobile Council 2025 from 11th–13th April in Chiba City, Japan, the Lancefield marks Alvis’ first delivery of the year. The company plans to release further continuation cars throughout the year, including a drop-head Graber. Prices for pre-war Continuation Series cars start at £325,000, with each model accompanied by a three-year warranty.
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