Alvis - original vintage late 1950s torpedo keyring by CUD - collector's item

NOW SOLD – sorry this keyring has been sold but has been left on view as a rare example of an Alvis torpedo keyring .

An original Alvis torpedo keyring which will have been produced in the late 1950s .

We have just this one example of this keyring to offer – when it has been sold this listing will be cancelled.

We have only ever listed one other original Alvis torpedo keyring and that one sold in May 2020.

This keyring is in excellent used condition and is around 60 years old .

The translucent red vitreous enamel on the red triangle badge looks as if it has just been fired fresh from the furnace and the leather keyfob is in good condition with good tight stitching and a brass eyelet which is still well mounted and completely secure .

The badge is attached to the keyfob by means of two opposed brass lugs which are inserted within the keyfob- this is how CUD always attached these surface mounted badges.

The keyring was made by Castles Unit Development Co. of Leicester.

Castles were the original manufacturers of torpedo shaped keyrings ( so prized by collectors today )

Their torpedo keyring very quickly went out of fashion in the late 1960s when keyrings as we know them today were introduced.

Castles seem to have disappeared very quickly at about that time.

The keyring in the photos is the actual one which you will receive.

This keyring is original & correct for use with any of the later 1950s and early 1960s Alvis motor cars ( TD21 or TE/TF21 ) – or indeed with an earlier model as owners tended to buy these keyrings to use with earlier cars as keyrings started to become available from the mid 1950s onwards.

Prior to that the car would have been used without a keyring.  SMOSO   00/521   10/23