Assembly Shop Alvis Limited Holyhead Road Coventry

In 1946-1947 W S Hattrell and Partners were apponted by Alvis Limited as architects for the Assembly Shop, in Holyhead Road, Coventry. This was the first job (C-001)registered by Hattrell and Partners in their Numerical Jobs list introduced in April 1947, which included works already in progress.  It is assumed that the work related to the reinstatement and rebuilding of the plant following bomb damage in 1940.  Car production resumed in late 1946.  This commission was to be the beginning of a long association with Alvis Limited, continuing until the site was finally vacated.

Founded in 1919, by T G John, the company changed its name to the Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd in 1921 and moved production to Holyhead Road, Coventry. The Holyhead Road factory commenced with the production of sporty, luxurious and well-engineered cars from the first 10/30 models in 1920 to the last TF21 3-litre models manufactured in 1967.  In 1935 Alvis decided to expand into the manufacture of aircraft engines and began the construction of a new building fronted by three-storey offices.  The architect was W. G. Phillips, PASI, of Victoria Street London who worked in collaboration with Capt. G. T. Smith-Clarke, director and chief engineer of the Alvis Company. [Flight 22 April 1937 page 404].This building was financed entirely by Alvis and did not form part of the Air Ministry Shadow factory scheme. Great progress is being made with the new Alvis aero engine factory which is being erected adjacent to the existing Alvis works on the Holyhead Road, Coventry. Covering an area of 112,000 sq. ft., the new premises will be completed in April. [Flight 16 January 1936 page 74] Following the outbreak of war, car production was initially suspended, but was later allowed to resume, with production of the 12/70, Silver Crest, Speed 25, and 4.3 l continuing well into 1940.  The car factory was severely damaged in the German Luftwaffe raid on Coventry on 14 November 1940. Much valuable gear cutting and other equipment was lost and car production was suspended for the duration of the war only resuming during the latter part of 1946. Despite this, Alvis carried out war production on aero engines (as sub-contractor of Rolls-Royce) and other aeroplane equipment. Post-war, car production resumed with a four-cylinder model, the TA14, based on the pre-war 12/70 with an engine of 1,892cc and the body was built by Mulliners. Car production ceased in 1967.