"The Alvis marque was launched shortly after the end of the Great War, offering a lively, quality, light car in the 1500cc class. The more discerning motorist was targeted who placed quality and satisfaction before price. The first three side-valve-engined models lived up to that promise, but it was the engine redesign in 1923 to feature overhead valves that created the famous 12/50 model -an all-time classic. It evolved through various subtypes, and the company was ambitious enough not only to launch a successful six-cylinder model in 1927, of largely similar design and dimensions, but also introduced a supercharged front-wheel drive production model, directly developed from the firm's innovative racing cars.
This stunning Alvis 12/50 TE Sports is presented in Dove Grey with blood red trim and all new hood, frame and wet weather gear. Fully restored over an 11-year period, this TE sports with a three door design, has been labour of love for our vendor. Of whom insisted that the cost was not an issue, when considering completing the restoration of this matching numbers example, back to what can be considered better than new.
The previous owner, Mr Ridley, purchased the Alvis in 2011 and began what was an extensive restoration. This can be seen in photos contained in the history file. The chassis was taken back to the Alvis Phosphate coat and then given a further six coats of enamel, two coats of primer, undercoat and topcoats. The engine was rebuilt and converted to run on unleaded, before the timber frame was restored by Alwyn Lee at a cost of £6,000 alone, after 600 hours of labour and over £15,000 in costs.
In 2012, Mr Ridley found he could no longer complete the project. Thus, our vendor purchased for £27,500 and went about finishing the bodywork, trimming and a further engine recommissioning in order to bring this 12/50 to its current condition and running extremely well. Offered with an extensive history file for the restoration, manuals and instructions, coupled with a photo of the car in period. The expenditure on this car far outweighs the estimate and as such this is a fabulous opportunity for a vintage Alvis rarely found in this condition.
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