Alvis

The Alvis car, mentioned in the first (and 28th) post of this thread, now has its own website which has been brought up to date, including an extensive history and a colour video of it racing on a modern circuit. Alvis racing car no.1.

Have updated the script on this one. Thanks to you all.

I worked in Baginton 1968/79 and Alvis was at the far side of the airport. I seem to recall it was an Alvis engine test site. Down the lane that went to Rock Farm, there was a couple of old hangars which Mortons (BRS) used as a repair depot. Whether the hangars, because of the proximity, had anything to do with Alvis I don't know.

Thanks to Nicola Smith on 'The Coventry we used to know' FB page, from the collection of Mr M Toms. Outside the Holyhead pub, looking east. Post copied from topic Holyhead Road on 9th Mar 2023 3:29 pm

My dad, Donald Mainwaring, worked at the Alvis for years. I seem to remember him on the bowls team there.

I worked in at The Alvis for about 5 years between 1983 & 1988. I worked as a Computer Operator and the Computer Room had one way glass, you couldn't see in through the window, but you could see out. I was working the evening shift one day when I saw a shadowy figure, with a boiler suit and a peak cap, walk across from the building opposite to door of our building. I jumped up off my seat and ran to the door to let them in, literally, seconds. When I opened the door no-one was there, they had vanished, which I thought was rather odd. The next day, when I arrived at work and told a colleague about this, her answer was that was old Bob. You see, the Computer Room was built on the site of the Old Boiler Room. And a guy called Bob had died there many years before. Make of it what you will, but that's what happened, certainly made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Funnily enough, that happened where my dad worked at IHW in Warwick back in the 80s. They had a new starter in the machine shop - after a few days my dad called him into the office and he said he had seen an elderly chap walking around. He was the chap who has passed away and whose job he had replaced! My uncle would've been at the Alvis then, Rob - Pete Hodges. Loved his cricket.

My dad used to plays bowls at the Alvis in the early sixties, we used to go with him sometimes. I think they may have had a cricket team too.

Interesting insight here showing the 'current' Alvis factory in Kenilworth. I know where this is but didn't realise they were still building continuation models there. It's also great to see a lot of what was obviously once at Holyhead Road has been saved and now relocated.

Hello, I was determined to have an Alvis over bridge in HallBrooks

Well I never, my father in law once played bowls for the Alvis on the Holyhead Rd and we used to watch him and then crossover the road to the Holyhead Pub. Then round off the afternoon in the pub gardens. We used to live in Batsford Rd. Cyril Roberts by name and a gentleman by nature.

Just worked through all of this thread out of curiosity as my maternal Grandfather worked for Alvis. In the 1950's leading up to his retirement he was a Storeman. He was very keen on the bowls. I think he also played on the bowling green behind the Holyhead pub. Alvis had a Social Club alongside the huge Canteen and on Sunday evenings in the 50's, the Grandparents, Mum and Dad and myself and Sister would go along for the Bingo. Sometimes we'd be joined by some of Mum's siblings and their off-spring. There was a lovely old Irish guy who did the Bingo calling and he had a very thick Irish accent which included not pronouncing 'th' but just the 't'. If you ever attended these sessions you can probably guess what comes next! When he called 33 everyone joined in with 'tree and tree, turty tree' and it always got a laugh. Another thing about my Alvis visits and it's been mentioned a number of times by Annewiggy in various posts, was the pathway running from the Alvis to the Chain Gardens. As it was nightime when I was there, I don't think I ever went all the way through to the Spon Street viaduct as it was too dark and scary! There was also mention of the AFV's being road tested and the Daimler bus chassis being driven around. This used to fascinate me. I'm sure the drivers were kitted out like fighter pilots with heavy duty clothing (no cabs remember) and flying helmets and goggles. Thanks to all for jogging my tired old brain cells!

Holyhead Road was on my way home from school. I was also fascinated by the AFVs and bus chassis plus engine being road tested in all weathers. As you say, the driver was kitted out with a very thick coat against the inclement weather. The story going round was that it was a bus, but somebody had stolen the roof, the walls and all the seats. We believed that. We used to call the Alvis vehicles tanks, which they were not. But we were very young. Any instrument on a dashboard in a vehicle was a clock to us.

Thanks for confirming my memories of AFV's and bus chassis around the Holyhead Road Slim. It was only on my way from Moseley Avenue School to my Gran's on a Friday afternoon. She lived in Sherborne Crescent and I went there for tea (!) and overnight as Mum and Dad had things to do. Our home was in Three Spires Avenue. Gran made the most delicious chips I've ever had. Cooked in a pan of lard they came out soft and with a slight golden tinge and were wonderful in a well buttered long soft roll. The butter melted and ran down your fingers - bliss!! Gran was 'old Coventry', and her maiden name was Venn. She was related to the Venn's of Red House Pub. I believe her family ran a chippy in the early 20th century somewhere around Spon End. I forgot to mention in the previous message that my Grandad (the Alvis bowler) was Fred Gore just in case that rings a bell with any reader. He wasn't in the Services in WW 2 so perhaps his was a reserved occupation. However, hanging up in the outside dunny was a tin helmet with SFP painted on the front. I was told this stood for Supplementary Fire Patrol so I guess he did his stints of fire watching at the factory. There was also a gas mask. I acquired them and they added great authenticity to war games with the local kids.