This car was purchased in 1964 and used as the everyday car for the first ten years. It was registered on 11th August 1949 for the first owner by Mumfords of Plymouth, Devon. It has drophead coupé coachwork by Carbodies of Coventry and is body number 373 of 396 made. Since purchase it has been used extensively for Continental Touring and has now (November 2016) covered over 276,000 miles from new. A major refurbishment was carried out in 1979/80, including complete respray. The hood was replaced in 1993. The engine was reconditioned in 1969, again in 1989 and both engine and gearbox were reconditioned as new in 2002/3. The leather is still original and desperately needs replacing. Most of the chrome has been redone over the last ten years.
Recent long trips include USA, France five times, Spain four times, Portugal twice, Italy three times, Germany twice, Switzerland once, Ireland once and we have passed through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg many times. Although there have been minor problems throughout the years, the car has never failed to complete one of these extensive touring holidays abroad. The most arduous trip was that to Southern Spain in 2009 where the temperature was regularly above 44°C during the day. The most recent trip was a 16 day drive home from Southern Italy in September 2016.
The car has a 1892cc 4 cylinder overhead valve engine, with a single 1.5" SU Carburettor. It has a four speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three gears. A stainless steel exhaust system was fitted in 1989. The coachwork is finished in black and the all (yes everything) leather interior is Burgundy.
The following photos give a flavour of the car's interesting history. Many are scanned from old photos, so the quality isn't always very good.
Recent long trips include USA, France five times, Spain four times, Portugal twice, Italy three times, Germany twice, Switzerland once, Ireland once and we have passed through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg many times. Although there have been minor problems throughout the years, the car has never failed to complete one of these extensive touring holidays abroad. The most arduous trip was that to Southern Spain in 2009 where the temperature was regularly above 44°C during the day. The most recent trip was a 16 day drive home from Southern Italy in September 2016.
The car has a 1892cc 4 cylinder overhead valve engine, with a single 1.5" SU Carburettor. It has a four speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three gears. A stainless steel exhaust system was fitted in 1989. The coachwork is finished in black and the all (yes everything) leather interior is Burgundy.
The following photos give a flavour of the car's interesting history. Many are scanned from old photos, so the quality isn't always very good.
1964 at the family home in Devon, with the family 20/25 Rolls Royce.
University days and a trip into the New Forest in 1965.
At the family home in Devon again in 1970.
1972 at Crystal Palace in London for International Alvis Day.
1973 at a friend's wedding.
In 1980 after major refurbishment, with our 1961 Alvis TD21 Park Ward Saloon.
Again 1980 with two other Carbodies Cars. Every one is slightly different!
1993 at Brooklands for International Alvis Day.
Beside the Loire, France in 1994 on our way to Chateaubriant.
A brand new 1995 Jaguar X300 Sovereign joins us as the everyday car.
1995 and still looking good!
Outside the Nuvolari Museum in Mantova during the 1996 trip to Italy.
1998 at the Le Man Museum.
1998 again. A Country House setting.
In 1999 coming off the Ferry at Santander, Northern Spain.
1999 again and at Salamanca in Spain, on the way to Portugal.
The Lakes near Riano in Northern Spain during the 1999 trip.
On the wonderful trip to the USA in 2000. 2,700 miles in eleven of the Eastern States of New England. At "Intercourse"!
On the 2002 trip to Burgundy: wine tasting.
David & Marilyn's Wedding at Saunton Sands Hotel, Devon in September 2002.
In 2004 at Forde Abbey for the South West Alvis Day.
At Powderham Castle in Devon, 2004.
2004 with her "stablemate", the 1948 Alvis Carbodies Drophead. The 1948 car was sold in 2008 and lives in Surrey.
In 2005 at Gstaad during the Swiss tour. Joining the "Rally des Veterans".
During the 2005 Swiss trip, in the centre of Gstaad.
At Marveo in Portugal on the 2006 Spanish/Portuguese trip.
Back over the mountains from Portugal into Northern Spain on the 2006 trip.
Our car was "requisitioned" by a Wedding Photographer on the 2007 French trip.
A typical run out in Devon 2008. Dull and dreary, with the hood up!
The blistering 40C plus heat of Southern Spain in 2009 on the way to Mojacar.
Refreshment stop in the mountains on the way to Granada in 2009.
Lunch stop in Rochfort-en-Terre after torrential rain during our 2012 trip to Brittany, France.
Rural scene in Brittany in 2012.
Her Custodians, David & Marilyn, in 2012.
South Devon 2013 on the Longstone Tour.
International Alvis Day at Killerton House, Devon in 2013.
"At Home" in 2015 outside our Devon house.
Again at home on a glorious very early Spring day in 2016.
At Villa Foscarini, Mogliano Venito (near Venice) on the wonderful trip to Italy in September 2016.