Classic comeback: Alvis delivers first new Graber Drophead

British marque Alvis has delivered the first of its Graber Drophead continuation models to a customer in Japan.

Hand-built utilising 25,000 original drawings and 23,000 individual records, the car recreates an original design by Carrosserie Hermann Graber of Switzerland, albeit with mod-cons such as air conditioning, upgraded brakes and power steering.

Alvis says each Continuation Series model ‘remains faithful to the original designs, to retain their traditional character and quality, yet they are emissions-compliant.’

The Graber Drophead is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six. Its engine block was stored in a crate for more than five decades before finally being pressed into use.

Recreating ‘lost cars’

Prior to the Second World War, Alvis was one of the UK’s leading car manufacturers. The Coventry-based firm developed a reputation for innovation and quality engineering – and produced cars to rival the pre-eminent luxury marques of the time.

Never afraid to push boundaries, Alvis was the first carmaker to design and race a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the first to develop an all-synchromesh gearbox, and the first to start work on a British car with independent front suspension.

Unlike for some continuation cars and restomods, the modern incarnation of Alvis has worked with the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) to ensure its vehicles are entirely road-legal.

Made using traditional techniques

The engine in the Graber Drophead isn’t to original specification. Fuel injection, a higher 9.5:1 compression ratio, electronic engine management and the use of CNC machining to achieve tighter tolerances allowed Alvis engineers to increase power by 32 percent to 172hp. 

The Graber’s body took more than 2,500 hours to create, being hand-beaten over traditional wooden bucks and 3D-printed formers.

With such a labour-intensive build process, Alvis only produces cars in tiny volumes. This year, just three cars will be delivered: another Graber Drophead and a pre-war Lancefield. For comparison, Volkswagen’s plant in Wolfsburg churns out around 3,800 vehicles a day…

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