One of the Reeve and Kenning Utilities has surfaced from her time in a barn collection for 40 years, chassis 20853, registration LNU 743. One of 7 Utility bodies known to have been manufactured by R & K, none were known to have survived. She has now been purchased and is already at the restorers so we look forward to seeing her brought back to her former glory. Photos to follow.

An Angel has returned to England from The Netherlands in the form of one of our rare Woodies. She is one of the rare inside out Woodies. Chassis number 20785.

Anyone who looked at the Service Record for ‘Mavis’ posted up last month under Articles would have looked at the prices of spares and labour and thought if only. It was brought into sharp focus with the recent purchase of 2 fan belts at a cost of £28.80 per belt, plus postage and packing £6.68 plus VAT £12.68 compared with the one purchased for Mavis in 1952 from Alvis for the princely sum of 7 shillings and six pence, no VAT and with postage and packing one shilling and six pence still less than 50 pence in today’s money.

Under Articles, chassis 21723, read about 1950s running costs for JYP 372 including speeds of ’80mph easily attained’ plus ‘a reading of 95mph achieved if speedo was accurate’! Wonder what her current owner will think of that performance?

There is now the start of a new header category called Snippets. This will be for small items that should not be covered in the Articles category. This may shed light upon what your car was up to many years ago. Again the Alvis Archive memory stick will give access to most of this content.

The TB 14 in America has now been brought to the stage whereby she is for sale for restoration and is in a suitable condition for shipping. She is chassis 23564, photos in The Gallery. Also a scarce Tickford rebuild is now available for sale, chassis 21936, virtually complete and restoration already under way.

On the previous Post, there was information about one of our TB 14s being honoured to be selected for a very prestigious European show. See her on Youtube with the sun shining on her lovely red paintwork and looking the star of the show. http:youtu.be/D3Pp5J3YJUU will get you there.

Now something very light hearted, cartoons from the Club’s magazine Alvistas, early 1950s when our TB 14s may have been perceived as modern tin wear! Find them above the TB 14 chassis order 23500 in The Gallery.

In the event that they are not sufficiently side splitting how about an early 1950s Alvis 14 Joke, not sure if it referred to a pre war 14 or post war TA 14. ‘The reasoning behind the choice of badge position seen on a 14 Special at Hope. The badge was secured to the centre of the hub cap on the stern mounted spare wheel cover. The owner solemnly assured us that in that position it was more readily visible to the average car owner……And he’s about right too.’
In 1958 our car’s held their heads up high against the big pre war models.

A Saloon offered for sale for 300 guineas was also available for ‘half in cash half in good Speed 25, sliding head Saloon or Dhc.

Even better, in Bulletin 54, January 1958, the first For Sale Advert stated ‘1937 model 4.3 Litre Drop-head coupe, very good engine (uses no oil) and body. Exchange for four cylinder open Alvis any year with cash adjustment on either side or sell outright for £160.’

Finally, in a world now beset with Health and Safety rules and regulations, an Article in the 1954 AOC Bulletin No. 16 by the then Technical Editor describes the best way to repaint one’s Alvis. Included in the wise words were the following ‘I resolved to burn the paint – or at least the top coats – from the car. ( The undercoats were easily removed by stripper). Precautions were taken with the glass, and the petrol tank and filler were covered with wet rags ( the rags got covered with flaked paint and eventually were well alight – it seems quite difficult to blow up a petrol tank! ) Please do not try this at home.

Enjoy the summer motoring!!!