1933 Alvis Speed 20 SA
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**Please note that these photographs have been supplied by the vendor**
Highlights
- Once owned and campaigned by the esteemed former Alvis Owner Club President K.R. Day
- Boasting a rich competition history spanning half a century including a great many VSCC events for which it is eligible
- Features Vanden Plas-style two-door open tourer bodywork fitted during the early 1970s
- Scrupulously serviced with an extensive and carefully curated maintenance record beginning in 1974 and last modified in June 2023
- Impeccably presented inside, out and under the bonnet
The Appeal
Conceived as a high-performance sports tourer, the Alvis Speed 20 was amongst the most eagerly anticipated and exciting cars of its day.
Besides a range of standard bodies offered for early ‘SA’ examples, Alvis supplied a small number in bare chassis form, and we’re delighted to present one such example which was delivered new to C. Follet Ltd in 1933. Vanden Plas were entrusted with the coachwork and for much of its life, this Speed 20 handsome two-door saloon. During the early 1970s, it was re-bodied as you see it today, as a Vanden Plas-style open tourer.
Owned by and campaigned by the esteemed former Alvis Owner Club President Kenneth R. Day from the early 1950s, this Speed 20 regularly participated in trials and rally events. The earliest competition entry was the 1954 Kentish Rally and the last was the Brooklands Speed Trials of October 1999.
A rich and detailed history file preserves numerous scrutineering tags and assorted VSCC competition ephemera as well as a comprehensive record of servicing spanning back to 1974. It’s also featured in several significant works including the Vanden Plas Coachbuilders book (page 129) and regularly appeared in the Alvis Owner Club bulletin during K.R. Day’s custodianship.
A rich and detailed history file preserves numerous scrutineering tags and assorted VSCC competition ephemera as well as a comprehensive record of servicing spanning back to 1974. It’s also featured in several significant works including the Vanden Plas Coachbuilders book (page 129) and regularly appeared in the Alvis Owner Club bulletin during K.R. Day’s custodianship.
Presented in enviably good condition inside, out and under the bonnet, this superb example of Alvis’ coveted Speed 20 SA is eminently worthy of serious consideration.
The History and Paperwork
- Delivered new without coachwork to the London Alvis agent Charles Follett Ltd in 1933
- Originally bodied by Vanden Plas with two-door saloon coachwork, chosen by the first owner
- Owned for a number of years by Kenneth R. Day - author of the seminal tome ‘Alvis; the story of the Red Triangle’ and President of the Alvis Owner Club
- Rebodied during the early 1970s as an open tourer in the period-correct Vanden Plas-style
- An entrant into numerous VSCC events, holding a VSCC competition car “buff” logbook
The extensive and painstakingly curated history file includes:
- Regular competition entries and associated paperwork from 1954 until 1999
- Results from Wiscombe, Colerne, Prescott, Brooklands and the Brighton Speed Trials
- Various Alvis Owners Club articles and bulletins spanning four decades
- Service records starting in 1974 and updated continually (last entry dated June 2023)
- Factory ‘Car Record’ and ‘Archive’ documents
- ‘New Registration Book’ issued in April 1954
- A factory lubrication chart
- Description of the petrol ‘Telegage’
- Lucas Technical Service manual
- Original ‘Handbook of Instructions’
- Repair manual
The Condition
- Vanden Plas-style two-door open tourer bodywork
- Complete with a neat folding roof and tonneau cover
- Excellent red paintwork and gleaming chrome
- Wire wheels finished in black
- Beautifully restored upholstery
- The commemorative dashboard plaque for the 1949 Tunbridge Wells Rally hints at some even earlier competition history
- All the switchgear and instrumentation presents very well indeed
- Supplied with a new set of Blockley tyres
This Alvis’ sporting open tourer bodywork proves an apt accompaniment for its low-slung “double drop” type chassis. Its sleek lines convey a real sense of high performance, as do the bold red paintwork, door-mounted competition roundels and black wire wheels. Climbing aboard, the interior has undergone restoration work in the past, although one of its original charm has been lost. We particularly enjoy the light patina accrued by the controls and the discreet commemorative dashboard plaque hinting at early competition exploits.
Condition-wise, all is beautifully presented which is a testament to the vendor. The paintwork shines brightly, as does the chromework and there isn't a hint of corrosion in sight. As for wet weather equipment, the vendor demonstrates that the folding roof works correctly and shows us that a tonneau cover is also provided.
The Mechanics
- 2,511 cc straight-six fed by a brace of three SU carburettors
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- The vendor reports that this example runs and drives impeccably
- The original starting handle remains present
- All is smartly presented under the bonnet
- The latest maintenance entry dated June 2023 details a starter motor and water pump overhaul carried out by Red Triangle Ltd
Praised in period for its competent road manners and brisk performance, the Speed 20 was an immediate hit with reviewers and buyers alike.
With years of competition success under its belt, it comes as no surprise that this SA is very well sorted, having been judiciously maintained for decades and exercised regularly for much of its life. The vendor doesn’t report any mechanical issues and a mere glance at the maintenance record demonstrates that this car has never lacked attention.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1933
- Make Alvis
- Model Speed 20
- Colour Red
- Odometer 2,552 Miles
- Engine size 2511
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town Moreton in the Marsh
- Location Gloucestershire
- Country United Kingdom
24
bids
- He•••• £66,000 19/01/24
- ro•••• £65,000 19/01/24
- jo•••• £63,000 19/01/24
- an•••• £61,000 19/01/24
- jo•••• £59,000 19/01/24
- ro•••• £58,000 19/01/24
- an•••• £56,000 19/01/24
- an•••• £55,000 19/01/24
- jo•••• £50,000 19/01/24
- an•••• £47,500 19/01/24
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