Alvis Archive

Added this month are articles on

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The story of GT 587

The story of GS 6656

The story of 25930 

The story of 27474

and a tribute to Mike Fisher.

Most of our archive photographs have been identified and many are on this website. Some languish awaiting further clues as to what they are or when they were taken. This new image (donated by Steve Wright) is probably the 1957 Earls Court Motor Show car being prepared in the Graber works.

With right hand drive and Lucas lights it fits with the contemporary Alvis publicity photos which are now added to the TC108G page. Two other TC108Gs are now on Cars seeking new custodians, one ripe for restoration and another, ready to drive away.

Some TC108G advertising material has been added to ALVIS AGENTS AND IMPORTERS

The DVLA has updated its guidance on recovering registration numbers which has been added to Recovering an original UK Registration Number

As more Alvis cars reach their centenary, we look back at some notable events.

1926 saw the first Alvis “TEN” developed into the 12/50 as the four cylinder model to have. A new page has been added 1926 12/50 .

The young Hermann Graber started work in Wichtrach in Switzerland as a carrossier after his father’s death.

In the following 25 years the range of cars offered expanded to include six cylinder models culminating in the 4.3 litre before World War Two changed production from cars to defence equipment. The destruction that followed meant that when car production resumed it was an update of the outgoing four cylinder 12/70, the Fourteen.

1951 saw the first Three Litre sent to Switzerland to be clothed by the then renowned coachbuilder, Graber. The Alvis Owner Club (AOC) was formed and began to gather members who used their Alvis as every transport. The Alvis Register had already been formed for the vintage cars in 1948.

1976 – The event of the year to celebrate 25 years of the AOC was the 1976 Tour of Britain.

2001 – The 50th AOC Anniversary was celebrated in style at Oxford and Blenheim Palace. Many overseas members attended including several Graber owners who drove from Switzerland. A professional video was made to cover the event, see 2001 Blenheim Palace AOC Jubilee

2026 – The 75th is being marked by International Alvis Weekend in Warwickshire, June 20-21. For a calendar of our meeting dates, click Events

If you are in need of a Manual of Instructions for your Alvis, we have a collection already digitised, click Handbooks and Model Registers

Seasonal additions are on the TA21 page and the Speed 20 SA page

Alvis historian, Dave Culshaw, has written at length about Alvis and its connections, sometimes quite tenuous. His piece published in 2002 relating to Jaguar has been added to P P S by Dave Culshaw

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Nick Simpson, a significant contributor to Alvis literature, passed away in August. Well known as an enthusiast for all Alvis models, especially Grabers and the SA Speed 20, he restored many cars. At first it was as a side line in Bryn Engineering and later as a specialist in Wales trading as Earley Engineering. He wrote Technical Compendia for the Alvis Owner Club, provided technical advice to members and was latterly the Patron of the Club.

Nick’s article on Three Litre history can be read here TC108G -Rara Avis

Some TC108Gs have emerged from hibernation. A contemporary press report from Loughborough has been added to Willowbrook

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Steve Horne’s report has been added to the NEC Classic Car Shows page.