Alvis Archive

NEC photo gallery

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.

NEC set up — Build up day with the Trust’s display boards

NEC Brian Symes — Brian takes a well earned rest

NEC build team 2016 — Thursday evening – job done

NEC GVC — The Willmott TF21 ex- Alvis Director’s car

NEC Alvis stand 3 250 — Our Alvis stand 250 of five cars in Hall 3

NEC FWD — Paul Chasney’s FWD on the Federation Stand

NEC 26664 — Hurst Park sold this TD21 auto at the show

NEC 27246 — Gaydon, Heritage Motor Centre’s Graber TE21 1965 model

NEC Monty Hewitt — Monty Hewitt getting ready for his turn at the wheel

Alvis await at the Lancaster Classic Motor Show

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).

Please send your photos

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….

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.

14655 1939 Speed 25 SC Charlesworth BPN 205

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

Alvis at Hershey

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?

and it was good to see….

The Lancaster NEC Classic Motor Show

November 13, 14 and 15 (Friday-Sunday) – The Lancaster NEC Classic Motor Show at the NEC Birmingham http://www.necclassicmotorshow.com

– Would you like to volunteer to be an ambassador of the Alvis Owner Club and the Archive Trust, knowledgeable about the marque, particularly the last TE/TF models? We are exhibiting in Hall 3, stand 250 and invite members who are committed to the stand for a scheduled morning or afternoon stint, with free access to the show for the rest of the day. If you opt doing a morning session, you need to be there early, before the show opens. If you are interested please leave a comment below saying which day(s) and time(s) for stand duty you prefer.

September Bulletin

There is no Bulletin this month so here are two from years gone by to click on and download. In 1975 we had been to Stratford as well and the topics discussed are much as today. In 1985 the style had changed.

BULLETIN 260 SEPTEMBER 1975

BULLETIN 342 SEPTEMBER 1985

If you would like all the old Bulletins on your computer, send for one of our DVDs. https://alvisarchive.com/publications/

Nick Simpson has sent five photos from the late 1960s…your comments invited.