An archive is an accumulation of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organisation’s lifetime, and are kept to show the function of that person or organisation.
Our archive is of no use until someone wants to know the history of an Alvis product or to contribute to it. Happily for us this happens fairly regularly and usually gives pleasure to all parties, the current and previous custodians and the archivists.
The news of a Graber bodied Alvis changing hands is of interest so when Ken Swanstrom got in touch in May to say he was the new custodian a TD21 Graber coupe the documents I received in the 1970s as a Graber Friend came in useful. For more on this story, click here.
This week a Swiss website mentioned Alvis in an article about classic car values, citing the TB14, TC21 / 100, TA21 and TA14 models as “big losers” over the last five years.
Valuation advice on classic cars and their investment potential can be useful but drawing conclusions from a small sample of sale prices should not be relied upon because not all sales are in the public domain. The older and rarer the car the more condition and history influences the value.
However, being armed with a detailed history of a car will help determine a fair price, so ask for the history before you buy and if one is provided by the vendor, check it for errors and omissions. “One careful lady owner for 28 years, (but six hooligans in the last ten)“.
13179 4.3 VDP DLU 444
This period photo has been identified as a 4.3 Vanden Plas saloon, chassis 13179, registration DLU 444 last heard of in the USA under restoration – do you know where The Village Inn is? If so, please let us know.
At Hershey in 2015
The 4.3 model has it own page and website, click here
The publication date of Dave Culshaw’s latest book now looks likely to be extended into 2021 because of furlough at the publishers Veloce.
While the future of Alvis motoring has long been of concern because of changing legislation and fuel supply, the FBHVC continues to be a voice supporting the continued use of cherished cars. In this quest, here is a message from Paul Chasney, the Federation’s Director of Research:
It was confirmed this week that the Alvis Centenary event at the Goodwood Revival has been postponed until 2021.
Stuart Nell in his Speed 20 Charlesworth dhc on the 2005 Swiss Tour
We are sad to report the loss of another Friend to cancer.
Stuart Nell has died in Nottingham Hospital at the age of 65.
A former AOC Treasurer and great enthusiast for British cars, MG, Daimler, Wolseley and two fine Alvis, a Speed 20SC Charlesworth dhc and a TE 21 saloon, he took part in many events over nearly twenty years. He leaves two brothers.
We have previously published articles about the Harvey Memorial event in 1998.
Further articles have now been added – click Major Harvey
Eighty years ago car production had stopped in the UK and the motoring press had to look back at what was then available. A new page looks back at some of the articles published by Autocar in the war years.
The first two cover the 12/50 and Speed 20. Click on 1940s
The application of engineering in medicine, with echoes for today, is told in a prelude to Adrian Padfield’s forthcoming book:
‘Coventry, Alvis and the Iron Lung’, ‘A Biography of Captain GT Smith-Clarke’.
As a retired anaesthetist, Adrian has also been fascinated by Smith-Clarke’s work in medicine and other scientific fields and has researched our files at Bowcliffe for material. This short history of Cape Engineering which was established and run by ex-Alvis employees includes our Life Member “Young Ron“, Ron Walton.
The Alvis link extends further with 3-litre owner Dr. Geoffrey Spencer who wrote about his experiences in 1999. This is also reproduced and now available to read here.
25525 PGH 311 formerly owned by Geoffrey Spencer
The build records for the Alvis 3-litre TC series have found their way back to the archives and an updated register is being compiled with the first output now available on TC Series.
If you own, or have owned a TC21, TC21/100 saloon or Tickford drophead do please click UPDATE YOUR DETAILS and fill in as much information as you can, even it is just a registration number.
We were saddened to learn that our Life Member Albert Ainsworth died in York on 6th June after a short illness at the age of 91. He and his late wife Betty were frequent visitors to Alvis events and Albert made several visits to Bowcliffe.
This picture from the exhibition at Central Garage, Bad Homburg, is a reminder that the car in question was the Alvis show car in 1955
25856 TC21/100 Graber prototype for the TC108G, originally registered TDU 810 and used by John Parkes for several years. Photo Manfred Fleischmann.
Philip Turner wrote a wonderful piece for The Motor in 1955 about his trip in the Demonstrator to the Scottish Motor Show where 25856 was on display – click Demonstration Run.
Also from 1955
More advertising material has been added to AERO ENGINES
Percival Provost
Manfred has also produced a number of backdrops for the show including a comprehensive file on aircraft with the Leonides engine which can be downloaded from here
The sad news of the loss of one of the organising team has prompted a new page with a contemporary report on the 1995 Swiss Tour
Some feedback on the Firebird article has reunited the car’s seller, now 90, and buyer in the 1960s, see comments under Firebirds are go!
9877 – 1932 A Mulliner Coachwork – Autocar
Over two years ago Wayne had a call from Steve Patience, the owner of WM 1800 since 1972 who said he still hopes to get around to re-restoring the car sometime. Wayne posted the comment and has had a response from the former owner’s son who wanted to contact Steve. Wayne takes up the story:
Sometimes you can learn a lot by asking questions. Called Steve Patience who said he would be pleased to hear from Chip Hellie. Sent Chip what I had on 9877. Received the following:
“Hello Wayne,
Thank you for the prompt reply!
I have always been smitten by our old Alvis 9877 and often think of it. I was just a lad of 5 years old when my father owned it. It really left a lasting impression on me. We always were a car family and have had countless numbers of fine machinery but for some reason that car stands out above the others.
I can easily see why Alvis collectors are so passionate about them, they are remarkably beautiful cars, especially the Speed models.
My father William Hellie Sr. who purchased the Alvis is still alive at 90. In fact, here is something truly remarkable. His phone number that is listed in the cars advertisement in the 1959 Road & Track magazine will still get him! 60 years on!
He was doing well and still driving until last December when he broke his back. He’s been bed ridden since. His memory has slowed down but he’s still pretty sharp once he warms up!
What I remember is he bought it off of an advertisement in Motor Sport magazine in England. He shipped it to Portland Oregon on the Dutch ship Dintledyk. It was the freighters maiden voyage. I think he paid around £250 for it from a Doctor. I actually have his name and will look it up for you. Plus I have photos of the car in England just prior to purchase. I believe it was painted all in black. Have pictures of it torn down here in Salem Oregon and then when finshed.
He painted it Cobalt blue metallic with white chassis, suspension and wheels. Sounds odd but was most striking. He had a man from Albany Or. by the name of Pete Sukalac photo it for the Salon section of Road & Track. Pete was a fairly well known automotive photographer shooting pictures for various magazines.
Later on, my dad two toned the car by doing the side panels in silver. Absolutely a knock out!
I remember riding in the back seat and on weekends we’d take her to the Drive in for cokes, sometimes ice cream! There was a popular drive-in where the girl car hops would roller skate to the car. I remember they were playing an Elvis song one time and my mom told us we’re listening to Elvis in the Alvis! I thought that was so funny but remember I was only five.
I’m pretty sure the car sold to a Rodney W. Tripp. He owned a real estate company in Albany area and had many nice cars. I remember him having beautiful 30’s Rolls and a 32 Lagonda with cycle wings. Looked like a Bentley LeMans racecar.
I have all this information and lots of photos I can share.
About 15 years ago a fellow stopped by and talked about the Alvis. He said it was the Olympia show stand car in 1932. His name was Everett Smith. A real Alvis enthusiast. Sadly he has passed. You may have known him. He lived in Northern California when he died. I’m not sure where he got the information but it very well could be true.
We dug around in the shed above my dads house and I found one of the original headlight lenses! We were looking for the running boards also as my dad didn’t put them back on the car. Couldn’t spot them but I might have missed them.
Thanks so much for the contact info for Steve.
I’ll send you some more things for your archives.
Thanks for the info you sent. It was most interesting and I’ll read your note to my father.
Kind Regards
Chip Hellie”
Hopefully, more information will follow.
Yours for longer bonnets,
Wayne
The son of a TD21 owner has provided some fascinating Alvis owning history of his family. The story of 423 FLD involves registration changes, quite common on the 3 litre, and finding two former family cars for sale at the same time at DD Classics. Just click on the photo…
Hello all fans of Alvis, I’m sending you as an interesting photo of this car, which was taken accidentally in Pilsen (Czech Republic) in 1971. Sincerely, Slavomir Altman, Pilsen: This TD21 Series II bears a London registration which now appears on a 1965 Bristol 408 last mot’d in Kent. Does the Alvis survive?
The news of a Graber bodied Alvis changing hands is of interest so when Ken Swanstrom got in touch in May to say he was the new custodian a TD21 Graber coupe the documents I received in the 1970s as a Graber Friend came in useful. For more on this story, click here.
Alvis Archive 