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Alvis Society sets out to draw together essential historical information of interest to past, present and intended owners of a particularly charismatic British car marque. Apart from the obvious automotive aspect, a general reader will find its span, covering over a century, to be a useful cross-section of some social aspects of motoring in the wider sense.

It has thus been possible, for the first time, to observe, by model, the production sequences for every single example which the factory produced. Whilst ‘Works’ Records, most of which are still extant, seldom quote an original registration number, this has been partially rectified thanks to much combing of regional record office archives throughout the U.K. by the author and several other similarly-minded enthusiasts, some of whom are now sadly deceased.

The result has been a unique compendium of Alvis history. To avoid an appearance akin to a set of log-tables, the opportunity has been taken to add potted biographies of the interesting people and organisations who bought these cars when new or used, and the sometimes unexpected purposes for which they were used.. The longevity of the product, and the pleasure which it continues to successive custodians, has always engendered a spirit of conviviality which far exceeds any monetary value.

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About the Author

Alvis Society – A Century of Drivers
Born in Wigan in 1939, David Culshaw was educated initially at Wigan Grammar School. His teachers suggested he send his postwar car production notes to a publisher, and so, when only 19 years of age his manuscript was taken up by Temple Press Ltd, publishers of ‘The Motor.’ Practical automotive skills were honed by an uncle who had worked at Leyland Motors and Daimler. Education continued at Loughborough University, after which a commission arose from Walter Parrish International Ltd for a definitive history of the British Motor Industry from 1895 to date. Written with Peter Horrobin, the result was published in 1974 by McMillan in the UK, and Morrow in the USA. It was reissued by Veloce in 1997, and remains a standard work of reference.
David’s obsession with the Alvis marque from the age of 15 led to the publication of a series of 16 booklets on the different models, and later, a definitive work on the postwar Three-Litre ranges. For many years he has been granted exclusive access to Alvis Factory Records, which has contributed in no small way to the accuracy of the tables and the veracity of the text in his latest book, Alvis Society – A Century of Drivers.
Posted on by alvisarchive

Alvis Society

During the years Alvis made cars, enthusiasts have recorded their history and their owners. This site is dedicated to the diverse group of interesting people who chose to acquire a quality motor car with enduring appeal.

In 2020 Veloce will publish the first volume to coincide with centenary of the production of the first Alvis car.