Description
The Alvis Speed 20, which we believe this car to be based upon its' serial numbers, is a British touring car that was manufactured between late 1931 and 1936 by the Alvis Car and Engineering Company in Coventry. It went through four variants coded SA to SD. This particular car is a 1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB 4-seater Drop Head with chassis number 16068 and engine number 11588 and we believe it is a 2. 5 litre engine. The car is in superb original condition and drives beautifully and is used regularly here in South Africa for shows, weddings and recreational use. The Speed 20 engine was a heavily modified version of the one used in the preceding Silver Eagle cars, producing 87bhp and triple HV4 type SU carburettors were fitted. The chassis was new and lowered by making it a "double drop" type where the side rails go over the front and rear axles. A centralised lubrication system was fitted allowing oil to be provided to moving suspension parts through a maze of pipe-work! Both front and rear suspension used half-elliptic leaf springs and the self-servo brakes, with 14” (356mm) drums, were mechanically operated. The four-speed manual gearbox was mounted in-unit with the engine. We are a Jaguar specialist out here in South Africa and stand to be corrected on any of the technical detail we have gleaned!
