1934 Alvis Speed Twenty 'SB' Tourer

Footnotes

'The new Alvis Speed Twenty is the type of car which looks right, feels right and is right. From the driver's point of view the controls are all just where they are required and the power, speed and acceleration provided by the "hotted-up" but, nevertheless, silky six-cylinder engine are literally an eye-opener to anyone accustomed to driving about in a more or less sedate manner in ordinary motor cars of medium size.' - Motor magazine in praise of the new Alvis Speed Twenty in March 1932.

Introduced for 1932, the Alvis Speed Twenty was a fine quality, sporting car in the Coventry marque's best traditions. Carried over from the preceding 20hp Silver Eagle, the 2,511cc, six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine produced 90bhp on triple SU carburettors, an output sufficient to propel the touring-bodied versions past 90mph. The low-slung Speed Twenty chassis was all new, addressing criticisms levelled at the 'tall-in-the-saddle' Silver Eagle, offering levels of grip and controllability matched by few of its rivals. 'When cornering it is not only free from rolling – the low build sees to that – but the layout is such that it clings to the intended path at quite unexpected speeds, and when centrifugal force does eventually produce a skid it is of the rear wheels only and easily controlled,' observed Motor Sport's tester.

This particular Alvis is an example of the second-series (SB) Speed Twenty with the all-synchromesh gearbox and independent front suspension, making it one of the more technologically advanced British cars of its day. '11171' carries two-door, four-seat coachwork (body number '3015') by the London-based coachbuilder Vanden Plas, a firm that had forged its not inconsiderable reputation by a most fortuitous alliance with Bentley, bodying some 700-or-so of the latter's chassis during the 1920s, including the Le Mans team cars. The firm survived Bentley's demise and resurrection under Rolls-Royce ownership, diversifying into other makes, Alvis being one of its most prominent customers.

An all-matching numbers example (chassis, engine, body, and registration), this Speed Twenty was repatriated in 2009 from the USA where it had resided for four years in the ownership of Cameron Sheehan of Portland, Oregon. Previously, the car had been in Lancashire for some 20 years, during which period it was owned by one Robert Bamber and covered a mere 1,300 miles. Mr Bamber had purchased 'AXV 325' from Peerdew Ltd circa 1985.

Since 2010 the Alvis has benefited from a complete engine rebuild, including a new crankshaft and con-rods, which was undertaken by Tim Abbott using parts supplied by marque specialists, Red Triangle. In addition, all four wings have been repaired and repainted; a new wiring loom obtained from Winston Teague; and new brakes, radiator core, and stainless exhaust fitted, while the carburettors, magneto, water pump, and starter motor have been fully serviced. Related bills on file total some £95,000, and there are also photographs of the engine rebuild and the wings before and after repair.

In the seven years of the vendor's ownership, this Speed Twenty has covered some 14,000 miles, which included completing four 'Flying Scotsman' rallies and the 2015 'Alpine Trial'. Fitted rallying equipment includes a Halda Tripmaster, Heuer stopwatch, and a WW2 aviator's clock, and the car also comes with full weather equipment and a leather trunk that fits the Vanden Plas patent boot extension for touring. 'AVX 325' also boasts some sensible upgrades in the form of an electric fuel pump, flashing indicators, and hazard warning lights. This well sorted Speed Twenty also comes with an original instruction book.

The history file containing details of former owners; assorted correspondence; a quantity of expired MoTs and tax discs; paperwork relating to its time in the USA; a V5C registration document; a copy of the Alvis Car Record; and the aforementioned restoration invoices.