Description Just three owners since 1972, the current for 26 years; only 3,000 miles since full engine rebuild; well-maintained and in regular use; twin SU carb upgrade; Cross & Ellis body; older restoration with bags of character Alvis launched its immortal 12/50 in 1923.

This car was to build the reputation of the firm, for it delivered extreme reliability, performance way beyond what would be expected of a 50bhp car (thanks to its light weight), quality construction and a feeling of ‘oneness’ way in excess of the sum of its parts.

Clutton and Stanford in their staple ‘The Vintage Motor Car’ said of the 12/50: “We cannot but consider it one of the classic designs of the time, and it remains of all Vintage sports cars the one which needs the least apology”.

The 12/50 developed through a bewildering number of series, each one carrying a range of attractive coachwork.

The most famous are, of course, the ‘Ducksback’ and later the ‘Beetleback’ three-seaters, but for those requiring mo...