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1938 Alvis 4.3 Litre Vanden Plas Short Chassis Tourer [14328]

1938 Alvis 4.3 Litre [14328] in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, TV Series, 1979 Ep. 5-7

Class: Cars, Convertible — Model origin:

1938 Alvis 4.3 Litre Vanden Plas Short Chassis Tourer [14328]

00:02:21 Vehicle used by a character or in a car chase

Comments about this vehicle

Author	Message
johnfromstaffs ◊ 2009-12-04 15:37	Could be either a Speed 25 SC Series, 1939, or a 4.3 litre 1937 to 1940.
dgeoghegan ◊ 2012-10-12 00:57	1938 Alvis 4.3 Vanden Plas Short Chassis Tourer
dsl ◊ 2013-12-27 19:06	Ep5 appearances (including main). And yes - the boy genuinely seems to be driving it: Ep6 - brief appearance 15-38 at petrol station: Ep7 - brief appearance 16-21 in town centre (with a Saab 96 behind): PLA 4 or 41 plate onscreen which is a 1954 issue, so not original. Nothing on check sites. This quote "The car used in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was a modified 1937 Alvis 4.3 Short Chassis Vanden Plas tourer that was put back to its original 4 seater condition some years ago, only 18 were made & 11 are known." in comments here.
chris40 ◊ 2013-12-27 20:29	dsl wrote And yes - the boy genuinely seems to be driving it: He did in the book. Prideaux after being shot up took a job as a prep-school teacher and set up a car club at the school; the boy was the first to drive the Alvis. (I should have been so lucky.)
dsl ◊ 2021-06-09 20:31	"1937 ALVIS 4.3-LITRE 'SHORT CHASSIS' TOURER COACHWORK BY VANDEN PLAS REGISTRATION NO. ELK 366 CHASSIS NO. 14328 * 1938 and 1939 RAC Rally competitor * Known ownership history * Featured in the BBC2 television adaptation of 'Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy' * Restored by Fisher Restorations in 1993 ONE OF ONLY 12 BUILT Alvis Ltd's records show that chassis number '14328' was constructed on the short (10' 4") wheelbase and bodied by Vanden Plas as a 'Sports Four-Seater'. The car was finished in black and red with red interior. Despatched to Brooklands of Bond Street, London on 22nd December 1937, the Alvis - registered 'ELK 366' - was first owned by one Robert Affleck Robertson of London W1, who drove it in the 1938 RAC Rally as a Manufacturer's Team Entry (number '183'). In its report on the 1938 RAC Rally (3rd May edition), The Motor included a photograph of 'ELK 366' captioned: 'R A Robertson's Alvis (open cars, £601-£1,000)'. Robertson's Alvis secured 1st place in the Rally's Coachwork Competition (Class 4a – Open Cars) and is pictured in Donald Cowbourne's book, 'British Rally Drivers Their Cars & Awards 1925-1939' (page 331). The following year, 'ELK 366' was back at the RAC Rally, on this occasion driven by W E C Wilkinson of Great Malvern, who had acquired it in June 1938. Elder son of Samuel, Lord Wilkinson, William Wilkinson was a well-known rally driver and trials competitor in the 1930s. In 1940, The Autocar edition of May 31st featured Wilkinson's vehicles in its 'Family Fleet' series, depicting the Alvis together with an MG K3, Fordson Tractor, and Morris 30cwt truck. Wilkinson kept the Alvis until April 1952 when ownership passed to Air Vice-Marshall Robert Stanley Aitken of Saltdean, Sussex. The Air Vice-Marshall did not keep the car for very long, ownership passing in August 1953 to Dr John Grocott of Penkhull, Staffordshire. Dr Grocott extensively modified the Alvis, panelling over the rear seat to create a two-seater and strengthening the chassis by boxing it in. Dr Grocott owned the Alvis until 1970 when it was acquired by Michael Cummins of Upton Warren, Worcestershire who at that time was Membership Secretary of the Alvis Owners Club (AOC). During Mr Cummins' ownership, 'ELK 366' featured in the BBC2 television adaptation of John Le Carré's Cold War thriller, 'Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy', starring Alec Guinness as spymaster George Smiley. For the film the Alvis carried the registration 'PLA 41' and was driven by actor Ian Bannen in the role of Jim Prideaux. Apparently, Bannen was so taken with the Alvis that he changed the script, referring to it as the 'best car in the world', and contacted Mike Cummins to ask if he could find one for him. During Mike Cummins' ownership the registration was changed to 'ALV 15', as recorded in the AOC Membership List of February 1980. In February 1992, he advertised the car for sale in the AOC Bulletin, and in March of that same year it was sold to William Rankin of Matfen, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. During Mr Rankin's ownership the Alvis was restored by Fisher Restorations of Rushock, Kidderminster (in 1993), the body being returned to factory specification. In 2000 the car took part in the AOC's USA Tour, and in 2004 attended the International Alvis Weekend at Beamish Museum in County Durham. The current vendor acquired 'ELK 366' in August 2013." from 2017 auction listing.

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