Alvis Archive

As a retired anaesthetist, Adrian had also been fascinated by Smith-Clarke’s work in medicine and other scientific fields and researched our extensive archives files for material, much of it donated by the Smith-Clarke family.
The Alvis link extends further with 3-litre owner Dr. Geoffrey Spencer who wrote about his experiences in the May 1999 AOC Bulletin, another Julian Collins masterpiece, reproduced here:

Adrian has kindly donated copies of his book to the Trust and is now available to members for the cost of postage and packing.

He was asked to provide a replica iron lung for a recent episode of the BBC period drama “Call the Midwife”.

The ex-Spencer TC21/100 is alive and well and appears at the Tealby Noggin and Natter with other Alvis and British marques.

The Annual General Meeting of the Alvis Archive Trust will be held remotely by Zoom this year to enable more members to attend. The date is May 15th 2025, start time 6pm. Members will receive joining details and documentation shortly.

If you would like to become a member, download this form:

In the 1960s taking photos in colour was expensive. Prints tended to be small. Slides that needed a projector to view them were common but destined to be hidden away and gather dust. Converting slides and colour negatives into digital form is now easy and part of our digitisation programme.

A new page has been created with 90 images which with further donations will be expanded in the future. With thanks to Ted Sayer for sending slides of his father’s Alvis cars click 1960s to view them.

Clive Taylor was appointed as official AOC photographer in 1989. As a result, we have several albums from 1989 and later. These are in full colour. To view some of these and the first three Bulletins (in black and white), click 1989 – Coventry and Duxford

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has asked members for participation in the National Historic Vehicle Survey.

“The Federation will have to argue even more strongly for historic vehicles to retain their current access and freedoms on our roads in the coming years as we navigate the most challenging period in our history. To defend our freedom to use yesterday’s vehicles on tomorrow’s roads, we need your help completing this crucial survey.

The Federation represents more than 500 clubs, museums, and individual members passionate about historic vehicles older than 30 years, such as cars, motorcycles, buses, coaches, lorries, agricultural, military, or steam vehicles.

Due to changing political and environmental influences, the historic vehicle community, events, the freedom to use the roads, and even the fuel we use are under increasing threats and pressures.

The FBHVC aims to lobby the Government against detrimental legislation and restrictions that could impact the future of historic vehicles. However, to secure a successful outcome, the organisation needs dependable data on the significance and scope of the historic vehicle movement. The responses you provide will help shape the future of historic vehicles in Great Britain over the next five years by providing crucial data.

The Federation first conducted research in 1997 and has repeated the process at least every five years since then. HM Government values this research for providing a consistent approach that demonstrates accurate traceability and the development of the historic vehicle movement over time. Such transparency fosters trust in the government and ensures that the 1.9 million historic vehicles recorded on the DVLA database are treated fairly and appropriately.

The survey encompasses all historic road vehicles, including cars, bikes, lorries, vans/motorhomes, military vehicles, buses/coaches, tractors/agricultural vehicles, and steam vehicles. Details of the previous research can be found here 

Over 15,000 enthusiasts participated last time around. We want to make this survey the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the world, so please take part, have your say, and help keep the historic vehicles that we love on the road for the benefit of everyone in the future. Depending on your responses, the survey should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Kindly ensure that you finish it in one sitting.”

Please complete it by clicking www.fbhvc.co.uk/survey

Yesterday’s Vehicles Supporting Today’s Children. National Drive It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005. It is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle. It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads, while fund-raising for charity. For how to support the event and buy a fundraising ‘rally plaque’ click www.driveitday.co.uk

To support the Day, the Archive Trust is holding an extended event. To enter, click Lincolnshire Spring Break.

A new article is also now available to read – The story of 7692 in South Africa

….the first AOC Bulletin of 2000 was one of Julian Collins’ finest and can be read by clicking 2000

In September 2000 the largest touring group of Alvis cars invaded the east coast of America for three weeks, led by the late Robin Bendall. A video can be seen on YouTube, click An American Alvis Adventure

With a new year ahead we look forward welcoming Alvis drivers to The Lincolnshire Spring Break based in Woodhall Spa, which starts on Drive it Day, Sunday April 27. Drivers from Kent, Dorset, Wiltshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire have already entered and rooms are reserved until the end of January for many more to join in.

Whether you are a new visitor to the site or have followed since 2012, a compilation of posts during 2022 is now available to view or download, click 2022 Alvis Archive Year Book. This also contains links to take you to the website pages mentioned. All links open in new tabs so you can return to the book.

The APPF Rallye, May 23-26, has 35 Alvis entries which you can view here. This is the largest Alvis participation in an overseas event for some time.

Happy New Year!

with thanks to Apsley.

A new page this month inspired by Apsley’s art is Racing the Blue Train

More Christmas amusement from Apsley can be found on a dozen other pages.

A gift looking for a home is described in the last post on The Fourteen website