The following gallery of photos and articles shows some of the events held in the period when Alvis were still making cars. During this period monthly Bulletins were produced by the AOC and can be requested in Year Book pdf format. Many of these photos now included have not been published before and the photographers are noted where known in the caption or title.
The Bulletin became a magazine in 1964David Hinds photos at Crystal Palace 196110148 ALK 228 Speed 20 SA Mayfair pvt 007 Georgano photo London W2 March 1961. This is a new find for the SA Register and was unknown to AOC until this photo appeared. By elimination Nick Simpson has been able to apportion Ch 10148, which is one of the rare saloons by the Mayfair Carriage Co. Charles Follet was able to exert his influence upon Mayfair designs and when customers required a four door car they were steered toward Mayfair, rather than VDP. The coachwork was cleverly constructed for light weight, using alloy castings and extruded window frames in the doors. This design gave slim screen pillars allowing excellent visibility. Several had fabric tops. ALK 228 looks a little out of place between the late fifties tinware parked in London W2 in 1961. It has lost its running boards and is equipped with a rather inelegant front bumper. In cars without running boards, flying stones from the front wheels often damage the lower forward area of the rear wings. In this case, a rather crude and oversize rubber shield has been added to the nearside rear wing for protection.
George Butlin writes – In 1961 I was a 15 year old schoolboy, and spent my holidays tinkering with old cars. This was much encouraged by my father. We lived in rural Northamptonshire and luckily for me had a drive on which I could test the Firefly, reaching I think, 55 mph. I bought this car and others from Denis Kitchener of Derby Road Garage in Northampton. Denis owned the 1928 FWD Alvis which came 2nd in the 1928 TT. It was undoubtedly the experience of being driven around the back streets of Northampton, in that car un-silenced, that triggered my lifetime’s interest in the Alvis marque. Denis had a Speed 25 for sale at £85, which I could not afford, and the Firefly at £45, which I happily bought. 10466 George Butlin writes: While browsing the excellent AAT site, I noticed that the Firefly which I owned in 1961 is not included. I bought it at 15 years of age, and with the help of Valspar enamel and David’s Isopon filler, made it look moderately respectable by the standards of the time. It is the sister car to that shown in the wonderful photo of Jack Warner. You will see that someone prior to my ownership butchered the deck and dickey seat to make a four-seater- all very crudely executed. 13241 1936 Alvis Crested Eagle and Picador Caravan.Ch 14507, JV 6377, 1937 Charlesworth Saloon, London, Feb 1961.Ch 14499, EGC 157, 1937 Charlesworth Saloon, photo circa 1961.Ch 13761, EKR 137, Crystal Palace May 1961Ch 13261, AAY 499, Crystal Palace May 1961, now scrapped.National Alvis Day 1961 Crystal Palace Midland Section Team, E Chilcott – K Ledbrook – R Buck – E Dewey – P Thompson 2-79-3National Alvis Day 1961 Crystal Palace Mrs Ledbrook E Dewey J Brownbidge 2-79-2National Alvis Day 1961 Crystal Palace – B Gore collecting the J J Parkes Trophy from E Dewey P Thompson. Cyril Sayer’s photos 1961The Works car, later 1 ALV, at Crystal Palace 1963, seal grey and red leather
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