History
The car was produced as a TC21 Mulliners M3133 Saloon with the chassis and engine number 25367 and despatched from the factory on 19 September 1953 to Derek Webb of Moorebank, New South Wales. Derek later moved to Tasmania but the date is unknown. Derek organised a body rebuild but when this was completed is also unknown.
Derek sold the Alvis to M W “Merv” Djentje Coombs of Blackmans Bay, Tasmania and Merv confirmed ownership in December 2005.
Merv said that the motor suffered low compression and so organised a full motor rebuild in about 1993. David Short Automotive, North Hobart fitted a factory built new motor with the same engine number. From the website, “David Short Automotive specialises in classic and high-performance vehicles including MG, Austin Healy, Aston Martin and other British and European sports manufacturers.”
Merv believes the Alvis has traveled less than 10,000 miles since the rebuild, much of this was when the car was driven in three National Rallies in northern Victoria and/or southern New South Wales.
When living in Tasmania, John Hill was very keen to buy the Alvis and apparently pursued the issue on a number of occasions. Merv eventually sold the Alvis to John & Roslyn Hill of Bothwell, Tasmania in 2015.
John Hill also owned a Riley and a Siddley-Deasy. The Alvis traveled few miles while in John’s custody. John had the Alvis serviced by a mechanic in Bothwell, Tasmania.
John sold the Alvis due to he & his wife's failing health.
A friend of a friend (Joe Young of Dromedary) offered to look at the Alvis for us and reported the car was good. We bought it sight unseen and first saw it on Friday 8 October when Joe drove it to the Airport to pick us up. We spent 4 days in Hobart with the Alvis and during this time we received many positive comments from Hotel staff and manager; a serious offer to buy the car; and the valet set aside a special, larger car park next to the lift.
On 22 October 2021 I picked up the Alvis from the transporter in Brisbane and drove it to Bundaberg the next day. We left Brisbane late in the morning and drove steadily (about 80 to 90kph) to Bundaberg. No mechanical failures … just one worried driver.
Modifications
No modifications except for adding blinkers (trafficators are standard but drivers don't see them!!)
