Alvis Stalwart in civil colors

Jan Mostek · #1 18-07-09, 11:45

I have a so called Matchbox model of Alvis Stalwart in BP Exploration livery (overall white). Is the civil livery correct? was it really used in civil colors? All known- to-me pictures show only the military variants. Any commets or pictures would be appreciated. Thanks for looking,
Jan Mostek

Richard Coutts-Smith · #2 18-07-09, 12:57

Hi Jan,
I suppose you could paint them in any colour you wanted.
As these were originally designed as a private venture by Alvis (based on their Military/Commercial designed Salamander Fire fighting vehicle) I expect that they were quite happy to sell them to Non-military organisations.
At least your matchbox one will be cheaper to drive.
Rich

gordon · #3 19-07-09, 13:35

I was told some time back that BP did buy them, and that the MATCHBOX model is a model of an actual truck.

The relationship between BP and the (fictional) oil company MOGUL in the television series The Troubleshooters (65-72) was more than close, as one episode showed the fictional MOGUL team watching a Stalwart being tested as an expedition / exploration vehicle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubleshooters

Oh dear, that me giving my age away again? no-one else even remembers the series?

Richard Coutts-Smith · #4 29-07-09, 11:41

Someone else with fond memories of the Matchbox Stalwart in BP clours.
Is it not amazing that someone brings to your attention something that you have not thought of in years, and it then keeps turning up...
Nice general info on the Stalwart as well.

http://www.4wdonline.com/Mil/Alvis/Stalwart.html
Rich

Philliphastings · #5 30-07-09, 07:26

I had one but the wheels fell off - no seriously they literally fell off !

Of course the plastic canopy off the back was lost pretty quickly. The rest was later painted olive drab (of course) by hand with testors paint and lived on in my Military Vehicle box. Now where did that end up ?

We have a huge collection of Matchbox and Dinky toys on loan to the museum. You would not believe th number of them I used to own as a child but can't recall EVER getting rid of any of them. Dozens of memories...

Cheers

Phill

David_Hayward (RIP) · #6 30-07-09, 10:20

I think that this was a civilian version...at the 1962 London Commercial Motor Show

David_Hayward (RIP) · #7 30-07-09, 10:22

This was at the 1964 Show

Richard Coutts-Smith · #8 31-07-09, 09:43

Great pictures David,
They look as modern now as when they were built.
But that looks suspiciously like leaky front hubs in the one from '64, thought only Land Rovers leaked on the show room floor....
Rich

maple_leaf_eh · #9 31-07-09, 13:59

I heard a tale of a man who sold a set of Britains painted figurines to a wealthy financier (OK it is now an old story), and bought a house lot in Victoria BC. Land values in BC are very high. Apparently his mother had encouraged him to take care of his toys, to keep the boxes and put them aside when he out grew them. The figures sat quietly at his parents' home while the owner went off to military college and a service career, until he found them again.

Richard Coutts-Smith · #10 16-08-09, 10:17

Here you go, touch of nostalgia.
The Matchbox Stallwarts come up quite often on e-bay. Have tried to find any record of a real BP Stolly and failed...
http://cgi.ebay.com/LESNEY-MATCHBOX-...13162007r20496
Rich