Alvis - Alvis 12/50
The Alvis 12/50 was first available in 1923, with a 1.5 litre four cylinder overhead valve engine, from a company that had only been manufacturing motor cars for 3 years. The first Models of 12/50 were the SA and SB models, with the 12/50 SC having a stroked engine to increase the capacity from 1.5 to effectively 1.6 litres. In 1926 a lot of revisions took place where the 12/50 Alvis chassis frame got strengthened for the 12/50 TE model while at the same time a new crankcase was made that bolted straight into the chassis and discarded the earlier Edwadian style "subframe" method. This also marked the time when 4 wheel brakes were added to the 12/50. As years went on the 1645cc engines were in the 12/50 TE, 12/50 TG, 12/50 TJ, as well as the 12/60 models of TK and TL. The shorter stroke 1496cc went in model order of 12/50 SD , 12/50 TF , and 12/50 TH. The 12/50 Alvis is probably one of the best known cars of the Vintage period, for its good performance and overall longevity. Alvis 12/50 production went on until 1932.
Alvis 12/50 tyre size in 1923 was quoted as 26 x 3 (also cazlled 700x80), and from photographs you can see the tyres were beaded edge type. By 1924 tyres were being marked differently so the 12/50 tyre size was now quoted as 29x4.95 (this means 4.95 x 20, which is 20" and not 19 inch) which the manufacturers later again (in 1926) changed the numbering system to 500x20 tyre size which we all understand better now. The correct tyre size today is the Blockley "475/500x20" which we produced with a correct tread pattern look after we were persuaded to make this size by many Alvis 12/50 owners, because 20" tyre sizes are unusual, and what was already available was of such low quality! The Blockley 20" is the perfect tyre, and even has the correct looking tread pattern. If your car has had any other non original size wheel size fitted over the years, we are sure to make the tyre size for that also from our 60 + tyre size range!
