- Former Alvis workers visited their ex-employer in Kenilworth
- The group of four were reunited with the cars and components that shaped Alvis’ history
- Rare, behind-the-scenes access granted to showroom, bodyshop and storeroom
- The group formerly worked in the store room, some had parents who also built Alvis cars
- Download high resolution images here
The Alvis Car Company recently hosted a very special visit for four of its former employees. The visit, provided a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Alvis Car Company with a presentation of the marque’s history, a tour of the site and a chance to meet the latest generation of Alvis employees.
The group, now all in their 70s and retired, worked for Alvis during the 60s, 70s and 80s. Members of the group also had fond memories of their fathers (also former employees) returning from work and recounting their time spent working on the Alvis models that made the company famous.
The opening talk was given by Peter Crowley, an Alvis employee himself, who spent the first working year of his adult life building the last 100 Alvis road cars in the late 1960s. The group was then given a tour of the workshops, where heritage Alvis models are restored and maintained, and the expanded assembly area where new Continuation Series are hand-built. Later, Alvis’ possession of a vast array of original parts and drawings created a unique opportunity for two members of the group to discover the components that their fathers had involvement with at the factory, having both worked in the Alvis machine shop. “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” remarked Edward ‘Ted’ West.
This group of four employees had reunited for the first time in 40 years over lunch back in 2022. Upon hearing of their meeting, Alvis extended the rare invitation for a tour hosted by managing director, Alan Stote.
“It was a really interesting and nostalgic day which will be highly memorable for us all,” says group member John Wilkins. “It was fantastic to rediscover the company we remember so fondly and talk to the latest generation of Alvis staff. Thank you to Alan and Peter for inviting and hosting us.”
“The day represented a special chance to recognise the history of this 104-year-old company, and the people who helped shape it,” added Alvis Car Company owner Alan Stote. “Alvis has evolved significantly since 1919, but the skill, passion and dedication of its workforce have remained unchanged.”
Download high resolution images here.
