As most of Europe goes into lockdown to fight Covid, most planned events have had to be cancelled, deferred or in some cases, prolonged. One such was the Graber Exhibition at the Pantheon Basel, which ran for a year instead of six months but has now finished. Meanwhile in Germany a fine collection of Alvis cars and educational material remains on show, but behind closed doors for the moment until the restrictions have eased.
Manfred Fleischmann and Ken Day’s son Tony, meeting at Central Garage on 6th September 2020, 100 years since Ken’s birthday
Planned to run until February 2021 it is hoped it may be extended. In the meantime we are delighted to provide a virtual tour courtesy of Manfred Fleischmann who masterminded the exhibition, Click Frankfurt exhibition 2020
A note from Peter Barratt questioned the description of the Stafford Pup on display at the Shuttleworth Collection. The National Motor Museum has had one on display for some time.
An early venture of T G John was involvement with Stafford Auto Scooters Ltd in the motor scooter, the Stafford Mobile Pup. Mr Stafford had a shop at the bottom end of the T G John works in Hertford St.
The frame was supplied by The Birmingham Motor Guild and the engine was built and fitted by T.G. John Ltd.
More information can be found in “The Vintage Alvis” (1995 edition) from page 8.
Among a large collection of 1980s photos donated by Ben Lenthall, one time editor of the AOC Bulletin, are these of an Offord 4.3 drophead.
The Offord page has been updated to include these and changes of custodians on two others.
…and for these dark winter evenings another good read from Julian Collins in 2000…
Index
483 Alvivacity 487 South East Alvis Day 494 Lost And Found TA 21s In The U.S.A. 498 Ancestors 508 Our New Zealand Tour 520 Letters To The Editor 535 The Rebirth of A Speed 25 SC DHC – Part 1 543 Hot Air ln West Sussex 544 The Macmillan Cancer Relief Run .. 545 The AOC Web Site 547 Alvis Grey Lady Gearbox 553 “The Malvern Link” 558 Archive 565 Section Notes 574 Index 2000
Given the entirely justified obsession that most of us have about our cars, perhaps we occasionally forget that some of the remarkable individuals who have brought these pleasures to us and our predecessors over the last century, also had interests and experiences totally divorced from that of the cars.
Just such an individual was that polymath: Captain George Thomas Smith-Clarke, the subject of Adrian Padfield’s scholarly biography. Writers up to now have, of necessity, covered his life story relatively lightly, as an accompaniment to the cars, which deficiency has now been more than adequately addressed.
By way of illustration, I am minded to compare this exercise with the famous Carlsberg advertisement, since the author has clearly reached into hitherto unexplored territory, producing on the one hand , refreshing new evidence, and on the other, elaboration upon what was partially known. As of now, it’s clearly all here: from cradle to grave, a life of undiminished inventiveness, encompassing astronomy, radio communication, aircraft engines, military vehicles, firearms, numerous contributions to medical science, and even cars – especially the technically advanced Front Wheel Drive.
Examples abound: The reviewer was impressed by the story of when GTS-C was about to undergo some nasal surgery. The operation was halted for lack of an appropriate pair of surgical scissors. The patient discharged himself so as to design and construct a suitable appliance (via the Alvis toolroom), then offering it to the surgeon upon returning to the operating table at a later date.
Also, on a personal level, as the one-time owner and restorer of GTS-C’s last Alvis, JDU 674, I particularly warmed to the letter, reproduced verbatim, from the Company, awarding him the car, upon his retirement. Often I have thought that such a document must have existed, and here it is in confirmation, never before published. Just two pertinent examples: one typifying the character of the man, and the other showing the esteem in which he was held by others.
Publication of this book is especially timely, coming as it does when Coventry becomes the ‘City of Culture’ for 2021. I have no doubt that the organisers of suitable commemorative events will be quick to laud the achievements of such notable past city residents as Capel Bond, Sir Frank Whittle, Sir Frederick Gibberd, Dame Ellen Terry, and Philip Larkin. It is abundantly clear that GTS-C should be recognised along such distinguished company, given the advocacy (and accuracy) within this most interesting book.
DAVE CULSHAW
208 pages; Price £20 plus £5 UK postage. To order a copy from the publisher, call 01386 803803 Email: hughescompany@btconnect.com
208 pages in hard case cover, see November post
Working alongside Smith-Clarke was Arthur Varney..
Arthur’s grandson has sent us a note on the design of the all synchromesh gearbox, and in particular these words on the back of the patent….
A more complete story of Arthur’s contribution is set out in Ken Day’s Fourth Edition “ALVIS – The Story of the Red Triangle” which can be ordered from the Trust.
Just some of the books and brochures we can offer you
Proving it was possible to comply with Covid restrictions and enjoy Alvis motoring Chris Taylor took his Firebird to Velbert in Germany for a locksmiths weekend conference.
Locksmiths gather in Germany
“The Firebird did 650 miles without a hiccup, I tanked it up 10 miles out of Velbert and that got me all the way home to Disley, very economical these Firebirds! We had to run through the Netherlands from Rotterdam without stopping to avoid self-isolating upon return and that was both outward on Friday and return on Monday. The meeting was also classed as educational so it could take place.”
George Butlin driving very slowly to gain entrance to the RAC Club at 4.30 in the morning last month, the chairman of the Club’s motoring committee having requested that it be displayed in the Rotunda at the Club’s Pall Mall premises. “I would commend the experience of driving through empty streets in the early hours, and the echo off the walls of the Piccadilly underpass, to anyone- a rare opportunity to drive in our historic capital with virtually no traffic.”Graber 722 has found a new home in Reutlingen, Germany with a long standing TD21 owner. Eventually delivered after lockdown, sadly without its documented history, currently mislaid by Vintage & Prestige who handled the sale.
Robin was also in the Chair for the International Alvis Weekend in 2002. Our DVD of Programmes omitted the one for this event which was quite special as it had OXR 1 in pride of place following being recommissioned by Robin.
We have now digitised it and include it here to be downloaded. Click
The Routledge special features frequently in our Albums and it paid a visit to Bowcliffe this week to add a new name in our visitors book for September. Will Wiggins has known the car most of his life as his father John acquired the special from its builder Norman Routledge who ran a garage in Leeds. Based on a Firefly chassis and with a Crested Eagle 20 engine and Speed 20 SA crash box, it sounds wonderful and revs willingly to over 5000rpm.
Will took it Classic Silverstone 2019, 65 years since its last visit, and came home with the Yokohama Trophy for the Club Car of the Show.
TWX 266 The Routledge Special at Bowcliffe
A 1950s photo of the car being built
The Hope Trophy it won at Northern Alvis Day for “the best performance in DrivingTests not otherwise gaining an award and not having been won in the past 3 years”, now returned to Bowcliffe for the next winner.
Past winners
The Tea Bag as it looks today
TWX 266 was built in May 1957, using a highly perforated Firefly chassis – hence the nickname of Tea Bag. Norman had raced it at Crystal Palace and other venues in the late 1950’s. It came into John Wiggins ownership in 1966 and he raced it at Rufforth and Croft, also hill-climbing at Harewood and Oliver’s Mount. Later it appeared regularly on such local events as the Eskdale Run and similar club outings. Everywhere it went it left behind the lovely smell of Castrol R hanging in the air. John kept it as Norman had made it. It was at Brooklands, with an assembly of racing Alvis, for
International Day in June 1998 and made several spirited ascents of the famous test hill. For more on this car click here
An album of photos has also been created recording some of the Alvis cars attending the 2020 Hampton Court Concours
Our sister website alvis14 has a new post and a tribute to Ken Day .
A timely new article of interest to Fourteen owners can be found here
Continuing our series of Julian Collins AOC Bulletins from 2000 is this one containing 85 pages of articles and photos:Click BULLETIN 465 SEPT 2000 to download it to your device
Twenty years earlier, the original monthly Bulletin had been reduced to a quarterly publication and had about a quarter of the content, but a good read
Alvis Archive 