1927 Alvis 12/50

1927 Alvis TG 12/ 50 Carbodies Three-Quarter Coupé

Rare Split Windscreen | Exceptional Provenance | Highly Original

A rare and charming 1927 Alvis 12/ 50 Three-Quarter Coupé, coachbuilt by Carbodies, and believed to be one of just three surviving examples featuring the highly desirable split windscreen.

This is a car of remarkable originality, presenting today with a beautifully aged patina that reflects nearly a century of careful stewardship. A wonderful opportunity to acquire an authentic and eminently usable vintage motor car with genuine character.

Coachwork & Factory Specification

The chassis was dispatched to Carbodies on 17th August 1927, where it was fitted with Three-Quarter Coupé body no. 4353. According to the original Works Car Record, of which we have seen the original at Red Triangle (we have a photo of it), the car was finished in an elegant and distinctive colour scheme:

Upper body: Blue Z6426

Lower body: Grey Z6425

Wings and mouldings: Blue Z6426

Wheels (artillery) and chassis: Black

Triplex glass windscreen

The car returned to the Alvis works for final completion on 10th September 1927 before being dispatched on 14th September to London agents Henlys.

Provenance & History

Notably, the car has enjoyed a small number of long-term owners throughout its life, all of whom have prioritised preservation and careful maintenance.

The car carries the Devonshire registration UO 3971, issued on the same day as dispatch.

Its first recorded owner was A. H. Maxwell-Hyslop of Ivybridge, Devon, a distinguished Royal Navy officer who was awarded the Albert Medal in 1929 for bravery following an explosion aboard HMS Devonshire. His heroism was reported in the Western Morning News.

Subsequent custodians include:

An owner between 1935–1960, who owned the car for 25 years and a doctor (1962–1998), who famously used the car for his doctors’ rounds over 29 years and then Donovan Hailstone (1998–2022), another long-term well known enthusiast owner. The car was sold via Mathewsons in 2022 (featured on Bangers and Cash).

Condition & Recent Works

The car remains highly original, with an honest patina that is increasingly rare to find. During recent ownership, it has benefited from a programme of sympathetic maintenance, including:

New clutch

Replacement exhaust manifolds

Refurbished radiator

Seat re-springing

Subtly updated indicators for improved usability

Full service

New tyres fitted in 2023 (approx. 800 miles covered)

The car is accompanied by an extensive history file, including invoices, correspondence, rally records, and documentation spanning her full life. Pleasingly, previous owners and specialists and the current custodian have kept in contact.

On the Road

In July 2025, the car completed a 320-mile tour in France over four days, including participation in the Forges-les-Eaux car show, where it was awarded Best Dressed. It performed faultlessly throughout and cruises comfortably at approximately 45 mph.

Wherever it goes, the car attracts significant attention and admiration.

Summary

Rare split windscreen Carbodies coupé (believed 1 of 3)

Exceptionally original with superb patina

Extensive and continuous history

Long-term enthusiast ownership

Proven reliability on recent touring

Offered for sale only due to practical considerations, as the current owner finds the driving position less suited to longer journeys (I'm too short for her at 5' 1").

A rare opportunity to acquire a highly original and beautifully preserved Alvis with outstanding provenance and character.

Full history, additional photographs, and a walk-around video are available on request.

Comes with hood cover and rear mounted storage box.