Description

1931 Alvis 12/50 TJ DHC

Owned by the vendor's family since 1983 and little used from 1997; now in need of light recomissioning

The final version of the 12/50 was announced for the 1931 model year as the TJ and was fitted with a 1,645 cc engine, although if the V5C is to be believed, this car may well have an earlier 1,497cc short-stroke unit installed. The TJ differed from its predecessor in a number of ways, having a coil instead of magneto ignition, a taller and forward-mounted chromed radiator shell and rear petrol tank in place of the scuttle-mounted tank on the original 12/50. The TJ was in fact a re-introduction of the 12/50 which had ceased production, the Alvis factory getting into all sorts of financial difficulty making their expensive six-cylinder models and the complex Front Wheel Drive at the height of the Great Depression, hence the need for a cost effective emergency stop-gap.  

This Alvis was first registered 18^th May 1931 and appears to have been fitted with a Carbodies wide two-seater DHC and dicky coachwork. The car has seen little use since 1997, only for few family occasions, but was running well in 2014 when it was last serviced. It is not currently running, and has had its plugs removed - showing little compression on one cylinder so it will need a bit of work to get it back to good health.

The coachwork and interior are commendably original and in generally sound condition. 

There is a considerable amount of correspondence relating to the car, particularly between the previous owner in 1983, who remembers purchasing the car in 1968 for £175. There is the Exchange & Mart original advert for the Alvis listed on 24 March 1983 as: "very good original order, new tyres, MOT, taxed, new hood £5,250". A letter from the Alvis Register lists all the owners from new, with the original owner being Miss E Cherill from Lewes who owned the car for the first 35 years. Included amongst the paperwork are numerous invoices and technical information and an original instruction book and green log book. Various MOTs between 1983 and 1997, some tax discs and photographs. The most recent invoice (August 2021) from Red Triangle is for £813.69 and shows compression loss to cylinder 2 – stating ‘possible exhaust valve/piston’ as the fault.

Anyone who has owned a 12/50 Alvis will understand why they are so highly rated. Light of construction but beautifully made, they bowl along at 50-60mph all day and are a delight to drive - no wonder they have formed the backbone of the VSCC since its inception in 1934. Offered at a very modest guide price, this is a wonderful opportunity to secure this charming car with huge potential.

For futher information, contact nigel.mainard@brightwells.com