We have received copies of a fine collection of 60s photos take by the late Doug Woodrow from Sue Woodrow. This one poses some questions…
Can you name the people, the car, the place and the date? At least one current AOC official is in the picture.
Sue says:
“I think the car TWX 266 in the photo is probably the ‘Special’ belonging to Norman Routledge who had a garage at Seacroft near Leeds. It is a long time ago but I think that is Norman at the wheel; Doug and I used to frequent his garage and on one occasion he offered the car to Doug for £200 as he was selling up and going to live in the Isle of Man. We often came home with Alvis bits in the boot of our car which we had not actually bought but Norman thought Doug would like! The car was very much ‘lightened’ but unfortunately Doug was too big/tall and could not get in to drive it consequently had to turn the offer down. It was sold to John Wiggins near Thirsk and is now owned, I believe, by his son. The photo I believe was taken at Northern Alvis Day at Riccal in 1964/5.”
Now we all agree it is the Routledge Special, a search through the Bulletins shows that Norman appeared in 101 Bulletins with 156 mentions, several of these as adverts.
We enjoyed a great three day show, thanks to the owners who displayed their cars and the members and visitors who came and spoke to us on the stand.
Build up day with the Trust’s display boardsOne corner completeBrian takes a well earned restThursday evening – job doneDavid’s TF21 DropheadGraber TE21 cabrioletTE21 drophread coupeThe Hewitt TF21 autoThe Willmott TF21 ex- Alvis Director’s carOur Alvis stand 250 of five cars in Hall 3Paul Chasney’s FWD on the Federation StandHurst Park sold this TD21 auto at the showGaydon, Heritage Motor Centre’s Graber TE21 1965 modelMonty Hewitt getting ready for his turn at the wheel
The Alvis team have again put together an exceptional display of the TE21 and TF21 models at the NEC Birmingham. Come and visit us in Hall 3, stand 250 have a chat and look at the new display boards put together by the trustees. More Alvis are on display on other stands including a front wheel drive (FBHVC) and a Graber cabriolet (Heritage Motor Centre).
The hoped for 200 entries for the competition have not yet arrived so if you were planning to send some, the expected cold dark evenings are the perfect excuse to get them emailed. The closing date is 30th November 2015. However, a keen photographer has been out taking pictures at Christchurch Park, Ipswich this weekend….
8219 1930 Silver Eagle SD16.95 CF 9882
11494 Firefly Cross and Ellis saloon – AOC Bulletin 520, November/December 2009, Page 77, article by Brian V Aket, Catching up with a long lost friend. In was in the Spring of this year when I received a letter from a lady in Somerset who I had never met or spoken to previously. In fact I didn’t even recognize the writing on the envelope which is quite unusual.
The intrigue was settled when I sat down and read the letter. By asking questions at an ‘old car’ rally in her local area, she had discovered that I was the owner of an Alvis Firefly Six Light saloon, registration number PI 6714. It turned out that her father, who was a priest, had owned the car for many years, in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, and that she had many fond memories of the car, both as a childhood passenger and as a young driver. The letter asked all about the car and its more recent history. Fascinated by this unexpected correspondence, I replied immediately and sent her some very recent photographs of the car. It was not long before I had a response, both from Mary and also from Helen, her sister who also lives in Somerset. Both letters contained other interesting snippets of information about the car and more particularly about their father who died some years ago. The car had previously been owned in Ireland by their grandfather who had passed it on to his son. It was also revealed that the family’s pet name for the car was’ Judy Ann’. Coupled with this information was a request to come to Suffolk to see the car and have a ride out.
By mid August their plans came to fruition and they both made the long journey from Somerset to see the car. Having been well and truly spruced up for its big day, the car was gleaming as they arrived. There followed much pleasure and many reminiscences as they looked over and inspected the car. My favourite story was about the annual holiday from the Midlands to South Wales to stay with an aunt. Each year this seemed to happen and always with a bag of potatoes tied on to one wing and a bag of assorted vegetables strapped to the other. I must try it some- time!
A ride out in the car and an opportunity for Mary to drive the car once again, interspersed with lunch, ensured a very happy occasion and one which was thoroughly enjoyable for all concerned.
11910 1934 Speed 20 SC BKN 622
13061 1935 Speed 20 SD CHU 721
14655 1939 Speed 25 SC Charlesworth BPN 205
21331 1947 TA14 Duncan JAT 39
24077 1951 TA21 CMM 828
TC21/100 224 UYM
25642 1955 TC21 100 PKV 166
Clover Special TD21 180KDH
27429 1967 TF21 JRW 446E
27465 1967 TF21 KHO 999E
1967 TF21 GEY 285E
Nick Simpson writes: “Here are two more pictures for comment re identity and location….”
The vintage car is HP6161, Racing Car Number One photographed in a Coventry street in the 1920’s.
If you haven’t visited the AOC website lately you will find that it has changed and now has regular news updates – visit http://alvisoc.org and Red Triangle have some videos you might enjoy http://www.redtriangle.co.uk/index.asp
Hershey, Pennsylvania is the home of chocolate and the biggest antique car meeting in America, a four day event held in October. If you don’t know a Marmon from a Pierce-Arrow then this is the place to visit. Countless trade stands and private enthusiasts gather to buy and sell car stuff and socialise. RM Auctions were selling some fabulous cars on two evenings. On Saturday morning a big field of cars of all ages congregated in fourteen long avenues for the Concours.
The Alvis stand in Chocolate Field South, row CZ 24-6
Every year the AOC is represented by Wayne Brooks, wearing his Alvis hat so everyone knows to offer parts and information whenever they see him. Alvis cars are rare in America but we found two there and another advertised for sale. One in particular is worthy of several photos as it almost certainly unique. It looks like a Lagonda body but can anyone tell us more?
Alvis Archive 