Descrição
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Ter 16 de junho a partir das 12h
Auction: Qua 17 de junho a partir das 9h
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1933 Alvis Speed 20 SA Sports Tourer
Coachwork by Cross & Ellis
Estimate
£65. 000 - £75. 000
Registration No: RV 3774
Chassis No: 10603
MOT: Exento
For many the ultimate pre-WW2 Alvis, an open-tourer bodied Speed 20 SA
Supplied with the factory build records showing that it started life as a four-door open tourer by Cross & Ellis
Acquired as a rolling chassis and then painstakingly restored back to its correct factory specification by the late Chris Compton of Welshpool
In the current ownership since 2019
Eligible for a range of events with the VSCC etc
Previewed in October 1931 but not entering production until the following March, the Alvis Speed 20SA was reputedly inspired by Donald Healey's Monte Carlo Rally-winning Invicta S-type. The brainchild of marque draughtsman Arthur Varney its `double dropped' chassis frame was fabricated from high tensile carbon sheet steel. Enjoying a notably low centre of gravity, the newcomer was equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, a Marles Weller steering box and cable-operated 14-inch drum brakes. Fed by triple SU carburettors, its 2511cc OHV straight-six engine was credited with developing some 87bhp @ 4, 200rpm. Allied to a four-speed `crash' gearbox - complete with clutch stop to promote faster changes - the free-revving unit provided spirited acceleration and a 90mph top speed. Fine-tuned by Alvis's immensely talented chief engineer, G. T. Smith Clarke, the sports car won praise among contemporary road testers for its `perfect uncanny steadiness'. Bodied by the likes of Vanden Plas, Carlton and Cross & Ellis all of whom took full advantage of its generous 10ft 3in wheelbase and unusually low stance, the Speed 20SA topped the wishlist of many a sporting motorist. However, the four-seater proved too `Vintage' in spirit for the Alvis management who were hard at work perfecting such civilising measures as independent front suspension and an all-synchromesh gearbox. Suddenly out of step with the company's goals, it was superseded after less than two years' production (circa 351 cars) by the altogether more pedestrian Speed 20 SB.
More information to follow.
