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46

Entry 46. Rod Howell writes: “This is a Kodachrome of the works FWD in the paddock at Silverstone. I think it’s 1965, probably at a VSCC meeting. I used to borrow the company paddock passes via my father (George Howell, who was the Financial Director) and take a few friends in Mother’s Herald – next to the Alvis! You can just see the Alvis badge on the door to the company pit in the background. There were no security or safety precautions back then and we could wander round freely – great days.

I can’t remember who had taken the Alvis to the meeting, I would guess it would be some of the apprentices who were restoring it around that time. Although there’s a number on the side I don’t think it competed and it might just have been in a parade. Given the state of the offside front tyre I don’t think it would be allowed to race, and it was probably trailered down from Coventry.

Lana Black in the driving seat, and standing next to the car is Jerry Birkbeck (who incidentally is now an MG enthusiast!)”