The ROVER ALVIS GTS 'GLADYS' - The Lost Masterpiece

In this video we explore one of the most mysterious British prototype cars ever made, the Rover or Alvis GTS a car desiged by the legendary David Bache, responsible for the P6, Range Rover and Rover SD1. We look at how Alvis would have faired with British Leyland and see how it compares to it's supposed stablemate the Rover P6 BS. This video covers the rise of Rover and it's eventual loss of control as well as the decline of Alvis from it's incredible cars like the Speed 20 and TF to it's decline and closure in 1967.

We explore how each of these incredible projects ended and what happened to these mysterious lost cars

Credits:

AROnline - P7, P6BS and Gladys
BMIHT - Development footage
Alvis Archive - Alvis cars and footage

If you'd like to read more my sources are linked below

[tomdrives]

Just a note I forgot to add, the prototype is a P6 ‘2000S’ with the standard 2 litre unit found in its donor car. The Alvis GTS was rumoured to use the same technology as the BS.

[declanbrady]

When I was a kid doing my paper round Gateacre Liverpool, one of the houses had a beautiful mint condition Alvis that he had restored lovingly over a many years. It was his pride and joy. My paper round used to take 40 minutes, but after talking to the owner and literally drooling over the car, it was taking almost 2 hours. The owner was delighted that a young lad preferred his classic to Ferraris and Lamborghinis!
The car was full concourse and looked like it had just rolled off the production line. It had polished chrome everywhere, even in the engine bay. It was done tastefully and beautifully like on a Rolls-Royce but better. Even today 37 years later I still think of it as the most beautiful car in the world.

[simonhodgetts]

I know the Alvis restoration and new car build specialist in Kenilworth - they make stunning cars. I worked on a care home new build next door, and would often see a beautiful Alvis coupe go out for a test drive.

[thatcheapguy]

thanks Tom for another great insight into some more "if onlys" and "what could have beens". Gladys is a fine looking car and along with the P6 showed the clear directional change of Rover-Alvis from making cars for the working gentry into sports saloons.
it always saddens me how the once world dominant British automotive industry collapsed in such a relatively short period. so often the workers strikes and management incompetence are seen as the cause yet throughout the industry there was an inherent complacency, lack of foresight and lack of urgency akind to dry-rot.

[gerry]

Some movie clips from 'The man who haunted himself '
I didn't know that Rover had acquired Alvis.. That was new to me !
Well I never ! 😮

[numberstation]

Great video. As soon as I saw Gladys I thought of the Opel Rekord C Coupé, a very beautiful car.

[jmfitzpatrick]

Thanks Tom for another of your engaging presentations.

We should remember that while Alvis ceased producing civilian vehicles, it had a successful military vehicle business, which evolved into becoming a division of BAE Systems - yet another example of a BLMC constituent having ongoing and sustained success.

[BanjoLuke]

I'd never heard of the GTS. What a bizarre unicorn of a car.
Fascinating, but almost certain not to have thrived on the market place.

[paulelverstone]

TBF you could put that Rover V8 into anything and it would be a performer. The Alvis models re-imagined would be a beautiful thing to see on the road...

[stephenkelly]

Where the hell do u get ur Info??. I pride myself on my car knowledge and yet I've never heard of the Alvis/Rover. Bravo Sir. Looking forward to your new series. I'm a sucker for British car history.

[peterstudley]

One of my favourite films the, man that haunted himself, 1970 with Roger Moore, and a gorgeous lamboughini iselero, as well as 2 rover p5bs a 69 and 70 .

[ianstewartorr]

Very interesting thanks I liked Rodger Moore as James Bond greetings from Scotland 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[jonathanj]

This is honestly the first I've heard of Gladys being mid-engined? My understanding was always that it was front engine, rear wheel drive, based around a heavily modified P6 base unit. And the rear of the car has none of the air intakes and vents you'd expect if it was mid engined.
That way 'Gladys' could be the luxury GT for touring/cruising, fast but tuned for ride comfort, and the mid-engined P6BS/P9 (however it was badged) would be an out'n'out sports car, and they wouldn't canibalise each other's sales.
If you can get a look under the bonnet of the real thing, obviously that would be proof one way or the other. Allegedly, Gladys started out life as a P6 2000S, fitted with the TC engine, and still had that when it was in David Bache's ownership.

[gryfandjane]

Fascinating history, although always with the realization that a number of historic marques would die off before it was all over. As an MG owner in the US, my interest has lain mostly with MG, but it’s sad to see how deeply the Leyland debacle affected other brands as well. There was no happy ending. 😢

[tomanderson]

First I've ever heard of the Alvis GTS. Quite a looker and some really clever packaging; room for four humans (which can't be said for most 2+2s) and, presumably, two decent-sized boots.

[douglasthompson]

Tom, the Alvis Gladys in a direct head on shot bears a strong likeness to the Ford Taurus 2.0m 2ltr (year early 80's?) Oblong headlights with headlights grill and radiator grill coming to a slight upsweep on the flanks. Sacrilege I mentioned a Ford 😎 Also the Rover P4(?) with the Cyclops eye looked good as that turbine prototype. Cheers DougT

[bentullett]

Never knew about this car. Its such a beautiful looking car. Very similar design to some of the fast back coupe muscle cars in the USA.

[danieleregoli]

Fab video ❤. I love the GTS, however I think it was based on the regular P6 running gear.

[lesliesmith]

T s r 2 all over again I was there heart in my mouth I made do with a 68 2000 p6 nice car (but) time please gentle men rest in peace Britain 😢😢😢😢😢😢❤

[chrisperyagh]

2:32 - That P7 with hydropneumatic suspension is something I've always imagined (to really make it a British DS) but never actually seen until now!