Well-informed TVR enthusiasts know that founder Trevor Wilkinson’s first car was built on an Alvis Firebird chassis. But just what do they know about the now-defunct Alvis Ltd?Alvis was based in the historic British “motor city” of Coventry. Viewers of BBC America on direct tv may have seen the city in series like Angels, Keeping Up Appearances, and Doctor Who. Alvis was founded as TG John and Co. Ltd. in 1919, producing “stationary engines, carburetor bodies, and motorscooters” (“Alvis Cars,” Wikipedia). The name change to Alvis is unexplainedit may be related to the Norse weaponsmith Alviss. In any case, the name was changed in 1921, a year after production on the first Alvis 10/30 began.In 1923, the company switched to the overhead-valve 12/50 model, which is recognized today as one of vintage sports cars’ most exciting success stories. Approximately 350 of the 12/50 models are still in existence today. Later models introduced innovations like independent front suspension, the first completely synchromesh gearbox, servo-assisted brakes, and front-wheel drive.The Alvis Firebird that Wilkinson modified was introduced in 1935 and produced until 1936a total of 449 units. Car production was suspended in September 1939 during the start of World War II (although some production lines later restarted), and the factory was damaged in a bombing raid on Coventry in 1940. After World War II, Alvis found it difficult to reassert itself in the automotive industry. Full-scale production didn’t resume until 1958 with the TD21. This was not enough to save the car line, and Alvis car production ceased in 1967.Alvis Limited was incorporated into British Leyland and bought by United Scientific Holdings plc in 1981. In 1998, the company name was attached to a line of armored fighting vehicles. However, there is good news for Alvis car fans. Red Triangle, which had purchased the Alvis design plans, records, and stock in 1968, re-acquired the Alvis trademarks and announced in 2010 that it would release the 4.3-Litre Short Chassis tourer. The car has been named the “Continuation Series” and has been updated to fit modern safety and automotive standards. Only 77 units will be produced, using the original chassis stock slated for production in 1938.