Car number 7664 was probably the first 12/40 TC model to be shipped out to Australia leaving the Alvis works 7th December 1923 in chassis form only. 7664’s destination was the coachworks of Charles Kirkham, Petersham, Sydney. A four seater body was fitted by Kirkham. (The early years of 7664 history are unknown and we would welcome any information on these) However in 1968 the Alvis club was informed, by Ken Heath of Wallabadah New South Wales that he had bought the car with his son, with intention of restoring her. Ken later moved further inland to Quirindi taking the 12/40 that short distance, still intending to restore the car!
The next owner came across 7664, whilst shopping for his other hobby, old banjos and guitars in a shop in Coonabaran, where his eyes fell upon a photo of 7664. On enquiry, the shop proprietor said that’s Dads car. That shopper was Les Miller (Hornsby NSW), automotive engineer and car collector (also past President of the Vintage sports car club of Australia) Les then visited Ken Heath. Despite a lack of body the car still ran and still had the original cast aluminium scuttle.
The next chapter starts in early 2000 when 7664 was purchased by the late Andrew Booth of Orchid Cars England. Once back in the UK Orchid cars advertised 7664. It was purchased by an ex-Alvis employee Olma Stoke who was listed as its owner in the Alvis Register of 2000.
Olma had worked in the drawing office for Alvis and was spending his retirement living in Carmarthen (Wales). He waited no time commissioning new coachwork. The chassis was dispatched to his selected coachwork company in South Wales (unknown) and once completed the car was dispatched to John Selway of Gainsborough. John was commissioned to undertake the remaining work including new wings, hood frame, windscreen and interior trimming finished in sage green along with double duck hood and tonneau. This work was finished in mid 2006, when the car was dispatched to Early Engineering for the mechanical restoration. By this time Olma’s retirement was coming to an end and presumably due to ill health the car was advertised as an unfinished project by Early Engineering. In the January 2009 Alvis Register newsletter included an advert stating “Alvis Supersports believed complete £17500 to clear”. At this point 7664 was purchased by Richard Dyson-Harvey who then emigrated to (guess where) Australia taking 7664 with him.
Once back in Australia 7664 was entrusted to Tony Heard of Adelaide, the car arriving in his workshops in late 2011. An extremely detailed and informative photographic record of this thorough nut and bolt restoration comes with the car. These photos are a real credit to 7664 along with Tony’s attention to detail, and demonstrate the care which has been lavished on 7664. She remains a freshly restored car ready to be enjoyed. Tony Heard’s restoration was finally completed during 2013.
The current custodian and vendor purchased 7664 sight unseen during 2014, she arrived back in the UK in early 2015. Lack of space and the purchase of a later sporting thoroughbred forces 7664 to become available once again. We are advised the car has only covered 600 miles since completion restoration. I’m happy to confirm during my test drive, 7664 preformed well and still feels very fresh, as you would expect! The next custodian has the unrivalled opportunity to write the next chapters of 7664 auto-biography.Inspection and test drive highly recommended, located at our Foxfields Farm Showroom (Near Clitheroe)