Registration No. WD 2428
Chassis No. 13732
Engine No. 9457
Estimate £16,000-18,000
The iconic 12/50 was the mainstay of Alvis production throughout the mid and late twenties, until in 1929 the factory ceased production to concentrate on their six cylinder range. By popular demand, however, the 12/50 was reintroduced in somewhat updated form in 1930 and continued to be marketed along side the larger models until 1932, when the four-cylinder range was further developed and expanded and sold in several guises until the war intervened.
The new 12/50, the TJ series was fitted with the 1645cc touring engine with single carburettor and appeared in standardised tourer, 2 seater and saloon form, the latter, as offered here being produced by Carbodies and known as the Atlantic Saloon after a previous model. A 12/60 model Series TK or TL was similar, but with a twin carburettor engine.
The chassis is extremely orthodox of 9 ft 4½ inch wheelbase with a conventional semi elliptic springs all round, and with a very pleasant 4 speed gearbox and effective brakes with large drums. The engine is a rugged four cylinder overhead valve unit producing 50bhp and endowing the car with a lively performance, the handling of course being up to the very high standard established by the model over many years.
WD 2428 was first registered on 22 May 1931 in Rugby, and has only had 4 owners from new including the present incumbent. The first owner was John Brigstock, and Roy England subsequently owned the car for 47 years until passing it on to the present enthusiastic driver.
Three original buff log books and a raft of old MoT certificates back to 1971 show this long term ownership and continuous gentle use. All the numbers (engine, chassis etc) are matching, and the car is exceptionally original, including most of the paintwork and the interior headlining, leather seats and trim, correct smokers light etc, although sensibly the roof has been refurbished in recent years.
An engine rebuild to a very high standard was completed in 2002, costing over £6,000, with only some 3,000 miles being completed since. The bill together with a 2001 account for a steering box rebuild are included with a quantity of paperwork accompanying the Alvis.
Here is a very well known and totally original 12/50 Alvis which has not been on the market for 50 years, and which still retains many of its original fittings, such as the cast alloy number plate with Alvis badge, correct Hare mascot worn from new and wonderful yellowing glass. The whole car is in superb mellow patinated condition and is in fact a total ‘time warp’ but at the same time is in exceptionally sound useable and robust condition, easy to start, reliable in use and with a delicious exhaust note typical of the breed.
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