The Alvis Car Company has delivered its latest continuation car, a beautiful art deco Lancefield, to Japan, where it’ll be unveiled at Automobile Council 2025 in Chiba City, today.

What is a continuation car?

A “continuation car” is a new vehicle built to the exact specifications of a historic model, using original blueprints and parts where possible, and usually incorporating modern upgrades for reliability and importantly, current road legality. Essentially, they are not restorations nor replicas, but rather brand-new vehicles that continue the lineage of Alvis’ classic models. They are typically sold to high-worth car enthusiasts who want a unique car at a premium price, and this one is being marketed by Meiji Sanyo, the exclusive Alvis distributor for Asia.

The car was handcrafted over 3,800 hrs, in the Alvis Works, in Kenilworth, UK, drawing on Alvis’ archive of over 25,000 drawings, 23,000 car records and 300,000 original parts. As a true ‘continuation’, it uses parts curated from the stock retained since the end of car production in 1968. Power steering, electronic engine management and servo-operated brakes have been integrated without compromising the car’s original character. Fully road-legal, it has a catalytic converter, indicator repeater lights and a collapsible steering column.

Under the bonnet there’s a straight-six, 4387cc engine assembled to the same specification as Alvis’ revered original but now benefitting from fuel injection and electronic engine management for easy hot starting, smoother throttle response and improved torque. As a result the new Japanese owner will have an elegant and striking dual-purpose tourer; both good-looking and comfortable over long distances, but with a surprisingly punchy performance (0-60mph in under 10 seconds).

Before delivery, the Lancefield was put through its paces with a comprehensive road test on the same Warwickshire routes used by Alvis since the 1920s. The new owner will receive an updated owner’s handbook, faithfully based on the original.

Its pre-delivery appearance at this year’s Automobile Council show comes 88 years after the original Alvis Lancefield made its first appearance at the 1938 London Motor Show. Then, the original owner would have paid £1,350, more than double the price of the average house at the time. The Alvis Car Company regularly build continuation cars. There will be a number of pre-war Continuation Series cars produced this year, with prices starting at £325,000.