It’s one of only three in the U.S. and the Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels is the proud new caretaker. It’s a 1938 Alvis 12-70 drophead coupe. The keys will be turned over to the museum on Thursday, January 5th at 4:00PM. But, it’s not quite ready to go racing down the backroads of the Eastern Shore just yet. This very rare classic needs some TLC and will undergo full restoration at Easton Muscle and Custom. The red and white beauty will then go on an extended road trip as a full time ambassador for the Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels. This will be a car on a mission thanks to an anonymous benefactor who purchased it for the museum to use as a teaching tool for the young people of the Eastern Shore.
Museum vice president Luke Phipps says the Alvis will be restored in time for display at the 2017 St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance the weekend of September 22nd. He adds, “It will undergo an extreme high level of restoration to attract national recognition.” The project is estimated to cost around $100,000, paid for by the anonymous benefactor. Students and veterans will have the opportunity to work alongside the professionals during the restoration. When it’s finished, the car will rightfully join the ranks of the top echelon of classic motoring royalty. And appropriately so. After all, the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth once tooled around in their 1961 Alvis drophead, a car fit for royalty.
Following the St. Michaels Concours, the Alvis will travel the country to appear in other Concours events, including Radnor Hunt and Amelia Island with a final stop in Pebble Beach. There it will be auctioned off with the proceeds going toward buying another high level project car for the museum’s educational program.
“Young people who may not have the opportunity to go to college need skills and a trade to get ahead,” says Phipps. “This project, and the others that follow, will give them vocational learning opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The opportunities will continue after the restoration. Students who helped restore the car will travel with it as support staff as it makes it’s way around the country. In addition to students, backers of the project are hoping to get military veterans involved a well.
Bruce Wakefield of Easton Muscle and Custom says his staff will not only provide the expertise, but also donate time and materials to the project. “For us, it’s about supporting the community and providing opportunities wherever we can”, he says.
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