Matt Hewson
A group of motoring enthusiasts celebrated the 100th birthday of a vintage car owned and driven by one of their members last week.
The Bellarine Car Group, a small community group of recreational drivers, gathered at Indented Head last Wednesday (March 27) to toast Geoff Ross and his 1924 Alvis SA 12/50 Supersports Ducksback, known to the group as simply Alvis.
Affectionately known as Biggles, Mr Ross regularly drives the Alvis around the Bellarine and Geelong area wearing a leather helmet, goggles and scarf, with his driving companion – a white teddy bear – similarly attired in the rear dicky seat.
Now retired, Mr Ross served in Australia and Malaysia in the RAAF before opening a dental practice. He does all his own mechanical work, and while the 1924 is his “pride and joy” it is only one of three Alvis’s he currently owns.
“The first car I ever owned was an Alvis, which I bought in December 1964 and I still have it,” Mr Ross said.
“So I’ve got… a 1947 and 1948, and I’ve had a 1938 Alvis Silvercrest and also a 1953 TA 21. I’ve had a cacophony of Alvis’s, to use a silly term.
“I was very impressed with the turnout. It was a good venue and the weather was great too.”
The group of enthusiasts met at Taylors Reserve, Indented Head for a barbecue to celebrate the car’s centenary with Mr Ross, using the occasion as a chance to showcase their range of vehicles.
Ray Allen, one of the event organisers, said the day was “fantastic”.
“It was a barbecue day and we had all the cars in a huge horseshoe,” Mr Allen said.
“We had about 30 cars there, all polished up beautifully, with quite a few visitors during the day coming to look at the cars.”
