Beschreibung
This exceptional Alvis Speed 20 SC Charlesworth Bodied Saloon has arrived with us from Hampshire in exceptional condition. This is an incredibly special car with a combination of great qualities. WD 9131 presents superbly with an excellent chassis, superb body with gleaming paintwork, excellent brightwork and the most beautiful largely original upholstery. Whilst this is a car not out of place on the show scene, it is an incredibly usable, superb driving Alvis that has covered over 5000 faultless miles with its last owner over the last four years. The Alvis has regularly driven from Hampshire to the West Country and has taken part in many shows and rallies. This is a fantastic all-round car with history, provenance, quality and strong, excellent mechanicals.
The Alvis Speed 20 was supplied new on the 2nd March 1935 by J T Thorpe Ltd to a Mrs Elise Solly-Flood in Warwick, a WWI widow of Lieutenant Charles Herbert George Martin of the 1st/ 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. She later re-married Brigadier General Arthur Solly Flood and was a Military wife and committee women who supported local charities and organisations. During the WWII years, Mrs Solly Flood lived in London, so the car had little use during the 1940's. Throughout the 1960's its lady had lots of work carried out by the supplying dealership J T Thorpe Ltd Automobile Engineers. Receipts are on file in 1963 for a new clutch, flywheel and ring gear, engine mountings, water pump and full exhaust system. In December 1963, the engine was taken to The Coventry Boring and Metalling Co Ltd for overhaul. In 1970 Mrs Solly Flood passed and the Alvis was purchased by the Thorpe family who not only supplied the car new but did much of its maintenance throughout its life.
The Alvis was with the Thorpe family for around 15/ 16 years and a letter is on file from the Garage proprietor's son who was an apprentice at Alvis between 1932 and 1937. He stated the Alvis gave lots of pleasure during ownership, including the Garage staff who were also allowed to drive the Alvis. The letter dated 1988 confirms the Alvis was incredibly original and naturally the car had been known to him from new. The Alvis changed hands twice in quick succession before being in the hands of a long-term owner in Kent who was custodian of the car between 1988 and 2003. By 1988 the Alvis was off the road, and it was not until 1999 the Speed 20 was back on the road. The Alvis was initially taken to I Wilkinson & Son Ltd of Derby for new steel work to the wings and running boards and new wood and metal work surrounding the windscreen. The engine was treated to new piston rings, core plugs, valves and valve springs. The Alvis was re-wired, wood door panels replaced, floor timber replaced, the sunshine roof panel was re-covered and all drains checked to ensure working correctly and a new carpet set fitted. The wheels were overhauled by MWS International, new tyres fitted, various re-chroming work was carried out and the car fully re-painted to a lovely standard. Back on the road by 1999, the Alvis was regularly attending events to include meets at Harewood House in West Yorkshire and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. After 15 years of ownership the Alvis was then sold.
The Alvis was in Cheshire from 2003 to 2016 before coming into the hands of the most recent owner in Hampshire. Between 2016 and 2020 in the region of £15, 000 has been spent on the Alvis to ensure its presents in first class order and runs superbly, reliably and therefore on hand for long distance touring which it has effortlessly undertaken. The Alvis has had very careful renovation to the largely original interior trim, in order to keep control of leaks the Alvis has had various new seals and gaskets and diff pinion oil seal, the steering idler has been greased and rebuilt, carburettors have been rebuilt, new inlet manifold gasket fitted, re-conditioned water pump and dynamo, rebuilt leaf springs, new wheel drive plate, re-lined brake shoes, new brake cables, re-conditioned wheels, new tyres, rebuilt shock absorbers, refurbished boot compartment and lots of chrome plating.
As result of the superb maintenance this Alvis is tremendous to drive. A long, steep, and winding road test on narrow Hampshire country roads revealed a strong, capable engine that holds incredibly good oil pressure, the gearbox is superb with remarkably easy changes and the car pulls beautifully through the gears. The steering feels good, brakes are sharp, the rebuild suspension impressive and we can see why the car has been enjoyed on distance jaunts. The cosmetic condition is equally impressive, this is a beautiful, gleaming car and the upholstery is sumptuous and has a wonderful original feel and smell to it. The Alvis has some great features to include its original registration mark, original tool compartment in the rear passenger door that's so often covered up and missing, and a huge history file that also contains invoices, lots of previous owner correspondence, handbook, Club Bulletins (including the South Hants May 2019 Magazine that features the car on the cover), Best Pre War car certificate from the Post & Herald Festival of Transport, Alvis books, brochures, Centenary Yearbook, old ‘The Motor' Magazines and various Club correspondence. This is a very correct car, features lots of originality and although is exempt, has been annually MOT tested to ensure its ready for any challenge.
