News from the FBHVC
Speaking on the virtual NEC show, David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC said, “The significant value to the United Kingdom that the historic vehicle industry generates simply cannot be ignored by those in power. We face the most challenging times ahead over the next few years and these results give us the justification to ensure that our freedoms to enjoy our transport heritage continue unhindered. As a sector we cannot be ignored and will be instrumental in the recovery of our nation’s economy post-Brexit and post-COVID. The most heart-warming news was that there are more enthusiasts than ever who are immersing themselves in our community and that is really positive for the future.”
The number of historic vehicles on DVLA database has increased to 1.5 million
56% of historic vehicles are on SORN
The historic movement now worth over £7.2 billion to UK economy including over £0.9 billion from overseas
Nearly 4,000 businesses employ over 34,000 people
700,000 enthusiasts – up from 500,000 in 2016
Historic vehicles account for less than 0.2% of the total miles driven in the UK
35% of owners either already or are willing to contribute to a carbon reduction scheme
More detailed results will be announced next month but one snippet from the presentation was the fact that 12% of businesses have apprentices and 39% are planning to take them on. Hopefully Covid will not diminish these aspirations but one such project that is planned we mentioned in March in Correspondence
Shaun Matthews writes ” Unsurprisingly our heritage and skills project at the former Victoria Ironworks in Derby has stalled over the summer due to many middle ranking Rolls Royce staff being furloughed or made redundant due to the double whammy of Covid and the well-publicised Trent 1000 problems but things are coming back on track now and we are tantalisingly close to agreeing terms with RR.
To satisfy our funders, we have commissioned an independent Market Research company to undertake a Due Dilligence report of our business plan on their behalf. We need some midlands based classic vehicle owners/enthusiasts for them to talk to from “the middle Tier” and some Alvis owners fit that demographic perfectly. Would any such volunteers please contact me via info@greatnorthernclassics.co.uk. Absolutely nothing in it for them other than knowing they are helping the cause – hopefully in a couple of years I’ll be able to repay them with a coffee and a bacon sarnie once we are open! The site has been updated recently – www.greatnorthernclassics.co.uk“
Meanwhile our section on coachbuilders has been expanded to include an article by Nick Walker on Charlesworth
Following the post about non-Alvis engines, Wayne Brooks spotted this TB14, chassis 23555, being offered for sale in the USA described as having a Chevrolet V8 engine. The big wheels and tyres are reassuring but one wonders how it drives. This model didn’t sell well as the Jaguar XK120 came out at the same time.
Adrian Padfield’s new book has arrived and reviewed by Dave Culshaw, click Adrian’s new book and other stories
Calling all Cars – we reveal more on the cars used by the Police in Crime and Punishment .
Alvis Archive 
Good morning, I always enjoy reading your emails and links.
Three of my past TC’s appear, OTX 704, 206 JBC and NUS 151 and I now have another. My restoration activities have ceased but I think I have had eleven Alvis’s since 2009. I sold my TF21 at the beginning of the year as it needed a considerable amount of body restoration.
Pondering my next move I reminded myself of the beautiful flowing wing lines of the TA/TC 21’s and so acquired a TC21/100 – SKP 678 about which I wrote in the Sept/Oct Bulletin (page 73-75). While I usually prefer to totally restore my Alvis’s, I am no loner able to expend the time, money and effort required. So here is one of the few Alvis’s my great friend and restorer Charlie Tope and I haven’t pulled to bits.
Owned by the Bowden’s from 1978 to 2016 it went through a superb restoration in the 1980’s. Please do add a photo or two to the Archive if you feel the car worthy :
Many thanks and regards, Richard Bagge
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Thank you for your kind comments – you will now find 25524 heading the TC page. By the way, your last TF is now getting some body treatment with its new custodian.
Good evening,
I read the article from Dave Culsham crime & punishment, about the police cars.
I am the proud owner from the Betterton speed 25 BSC308 for almost 10 Years, i bought her on the H&H auction sale, and after the sale i drive the car from Buxton all the way to Belgium, whitout any problem
It was my first pre war car,and first time i take a ride in a Prewarcar. from then on i got the Alvis virus in my blood. Thanks to the wonderfull Betterton speed 25 expirience i got at this moment a speed 20 VDP, A 12/50 beetlebag, a 4.3VDP DHC and a TB14 at side off BSC308 in my garage.
Many thanks and regards, Danny
You really have the Alvirus! Which Speed 20 do you have?
Cheers Wayne, sorry no Hershey this yr, hope for next one, saw Alvis with Chevy motor, any thoughts?
Frank,
Hope to see you at Hershey next October
The Alvis with the Chevy V8 is TB14, chassis 23555, despatched from the Works on 9 August 1950 to the first owner, Lyman Lowry of Miami, later of Fort Lauderdale and Bridgewater, CT. Mr. Lowry installed the Chevy engine and kept the car until the late 1960s. Pete Amsler bought it from a Poughkeepsie, NY used car dealer, circa 1970 and kept it until he died in 2006. Pete upgraded the brakes and front suspension.
Since then it has passed through a couple of owners and dealers. Along the way it acquired a 350 Chevy V8 crate engine, Ford Mustang II front suspension, front disc brakes, rear axle, hydraulic rear drum brakes, rack and pinion steering, etc. Still looks like a TB14, but a bit modified
My Alvis speed 20 is a Speed 20SB Van De Plas BMF323, there’s a photo from the car on the Heritage page from Alvis owner club uk.
My Alvis speed20 is a Speed 20 SB Van den Plas reg.: BMF323, picture on top off the heritage page from the Alvis Owner Club side.
Thanks Danny, now also added to the Album on the Speed 20 SB page