What to buy in 1936?

Four models were supplemented by the Silver Crest and 3½ Litre
1936 Speed 20 brochure
1936 Crested Eagle brochure
These models were discontinued in 1936
13313 – Speed 20 SD Charlesworth BWK 779
13600 – BWK 655 Firebird
13776 – The Silver Crest – introduced in September 1936
The 3½ litre – introduced in 1936 in small numbers, superceded by the The 4.3
The Olympia Show car for 1936 – 4.3 Offord

….and what to buy in 2024? On September 11th at Brightwells, four cars for auction also on carandclassic, and elsewhere. More information on all the models can be found by clicking the links or from the Index, Speed 25, Crested Eagle, TE21 and TD21

Holyhead Road and Baginton

Thirty-five years ago Alvis invited car owners to attend an event at the Works to mark the closing of the old factory at Holyhead after seventy years. Clive Taylor was there to capture the images, some of which appeared in the Bulletin. A comprehensive selection is now in a new gallery on the page 1989 – Coventry and Duxford together with the contemporary Bulletin report.

From the Roy Probert Collection a new gallery of the photos recording the building of the aero engine facility completed in 1956 can be found on the new page Baginton.

A Handley Page Herald fitted with Leonides engines in 1954.

Beaulieu + Bowcliffe

On Yorkshire Day, 1st August, the National Motor Museum went on the road for the first time and partnered with the Bowcliffe Drivers Club to showcase the work and aspirations of the oldest and best known car museum established by Lord Montagu.

The Masters of Motoring 2024 Concours included many unique and rare cars and Alvis was represented. Being shown for the very first time was the “Gloworm Special” based on a Firefly.

Owner Thomas Martin discusses the finer details of the project with Gary Pellow – Trevor Hirst, Tim Walker, Bicester Heritage apprentices and Richard Geater were all involved with a custom design and a Speed 20 engine.

Three other Alvis complemented the Firefly and the gallery below includes some of the other entrants. Click photos for full resolution.

July update

The completion of a restoration is an achievement but often often takes longer than anticipated. When it is of a rare car it is all the more satisfying to see the result.

1955 Alvis TC21/100 by Graber

Graber built cars to order and the client for this one preferred a traditional wooden dashboard to the usual continental painted metal. For a gallery of photos of this car click Graber.

Two Park Ward TD21s are offered for sale, one partially restored and another preserved in one family for over fifty years, click Cars seeking new custodians for more details.

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Walton, a Life Member of the Trust. His Alvis life is recorded in his book.

Ron Walton wrote this splendid book some time ago, sales of which benefit the Trust.

See also The Cape Engineering Company.

Alvis gatherings

The last weekend of May saw Kent hosting International Alvis Weekend while in France the annual Fougères rally attracted a significant proportion of Alvis cars. Edmund Waterhouse attended the Kent gathering with his new camera recording those attending. Click on any photo to start the gallery of photos…..

On Wednesday June 19th at Duxford, H & H are auctioning six Alvis..

As well as adding contemporary photos to the archives we have scanned some from 1985 of East Anglia Alvis Day which never appeared in the Bulletin at the time.

David Michie presents prizes to Bill Fryer

“Trader Bill” Fryer was then the club photographer and in his last year of ownership of 1246 PK won a prize or two.

We have also created a Year Book for 1985 which combines the six issues into one, which you can download. Click on 1985 Year Book

The monthly noggin and natter at Rothwell in Lincolnshire attracts a wide variety of cars and many of them are owned by current or former Alvis owners. N & Ns have always been the best place to find expertise and exchange ideas – you never know who you are going to meet. Just a taste of what has attended in recent months….

A series of Harry’s Garage YouTube videos features the creation of an updated Stalwart by a serial Alvis owning family, best known for the TVR range of cars. The subject is the amphibious Scamander but fleetingly mentions the Silver Eagle still held in the collection.

To view the first video click here

Jim Sprague’s Offord Speed 25 in France – photos Paul Chasney
…..demonstrating wet weather gear

Photos from the Fougères rally can be found here

Twenty years ago…..

….. the AOC conducted a Membership Survey and published the results.

The Bulletin for May 2004 ticked all the boxes to satisfy most members, covering the vintage period, overseas activities, an abundance of correspondence and archive items. Another Julian Collins masterpiece to enjoy once again…..

This month Alvis publicised the latest Continuation Graber cabriolet on show in Japan.

More details of its unique features are awaited.