Your memories of working at Alvis
OUR look back at the history of Coventry car maker and military vehicle manufacturer Alvis has seen readers share their fond memories of life at the giant factory site on Holyhead Road.
Thousands of Coventrians worked at Alvis over the years, at a time when Coventry was still the UK’s ‘motor city.’
The company, which employed about 2,400 people at its peak, also had a subsidiary overflow factory in Broad Lane and a site in Baginton where the aero engine test houses were.
Our feature focused primarily on the cars produced by Alvis. Although they may not be as well recognised as vehicles made by the likes of Aston Martin and Jaguar these timeless classics are highly prized by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world.
Readers shared their views on the main CoventryLive Facebook page, as well as our CoventryLive Motors and Nostalgia pages.
Gavin Mulhall described it as a “great place to work”, Mike Geelan said it was “a magic company”, while Nikki Head shared memories of her father working there.
She said: “My Dad Jack Jones worked there for many many years. I used to love the open days when you could climb over the tanks and watch them on displays going through water. Good Times xx.”
Ashley Burton said: “And not just cars either... I remember them making armoured vehicles as a kid... and I recently found out in Somerset they also manufactured helicopter engines... back in a time when Coventry and Britain were world leaders in engineering innovation.”
Former employee Brian Munns said: “My dad & myself worked there for some years happy days.”
As Nikki Head mentioned, the company was known for the events it put on for workers and their families. Paul Williamson said: “Many good nights in the social club, bonfire night, all us kids getting taken to Drayton Manor by the coach load when your parents were employees.
Scott Williamson added: “And until we were old enough to go Drayton Manor we had the kids Christmas party every year where Santa come out of that big spaceship in the corner.”
Dave Anderson said: “I worked here through my apprenticeship and as well as producing high speed light weight aluminium armoured vehicles the social side of Alvis was second to none with multiple levels of soccer team, darts, social events and snooker.”
John Hayward said it was a shame the main building had been demolished - the factory was where the Alvis Retail Park now is.
He said: “I thought it was an iconic beautiful building on one of Coventry’s major routes into the city. It should have been listed and saved, instead we now have a group of sheds on the site.”
Tim Seeley said: “The way we used to be employed is displayed above .... Now what? Nothing .... But there is a shopping centre there now.. that will be useful with no money to spend. But not to worry as we won’t have healthcare so we will all die pretty soon anyway .. then our government won’t need to worry.”
Looking back on her time working there Lorraine Gardner-Crofts said: “Worked on the telephone exchange here spoke and saw some incredible people. Met Douglas Bader a couple of times lovely man.”
Paula Kelly said: “Dare I say climbing on the roof as it was arched and sliding down it when it was frosty - oops I just did lol.”
Dave Tyler said: “When I was a lad in the 70s I used to spend my school hols with my dad who was a wagon driver and we used to load armoured cars in kit form in packing cases and he’d take them to a place in Grantham who re packed them for export. Barbara Gauci said: “I worked at the Alvis from 1960-1964. I was a typist in the Parts dept. The BEST job I ever had. Barbara Gauci (nee Booth).”
For many people it was a generational thing.
Tony Blue Muir said: “My grandad, dad, mom 2 sisters 2 uncles and 2 cousins as well as myself all worked there.”
A couple of readers commented on the cars too.
Andrew Jeffery said: “Truly well engineered cars” while Stuart Davison added: “I’d love a TE21. Tried to buy a rotting one back in the 80s but the guy wanted silly money for it.
“Stayed in his garden until the day he died.”