1934 Alvis 1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB Vanden Plas Drop Head Coup

For sale by auction on Saturday 31 August 2013 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The Alvis Speed 20 SB model was launched at the London Motor
Show in 1933 as a replacement for the SA model. The SB model had a
slightly longer chassis. a built in jacking system and incorporated
independent front suspension. Moreover. the gearbox gained an all
synchromesh unit and P100 headlights were fitted as standard adding
to the sporting appearance of the car. The SB retained the
lightness of the SA and was therefore able to retain the same power
unit; later models became heavier and required larger engines. Of
the 375 SB units manufactured. only 36 Vanden Plas Coupés were
made.

Today. we are proud to offer this rare Alvis Speed 20 SB Vanden
Plas Open Tourer first registered on the 24th March. 1934 and
supplied by Charles Follett Ltd. 18 Berkley Street. London. W1.
Still retaining its original Vanden Plas layout. this Speed 20 is
believed to have had only three keepers over the past 60 years of
its 79 year life. including the current owner. Although the current
registration V5 document states that the previous owner. a Mr. D.
G. Newport. Chartered Building Surveyor. acquired the vehicle at
first registration in 1934. a copy of the old style continuation
log book shows another owner prior to him. a Mr. F. T. Jackson;
there may have been more prior to this. It is believed that Mr. D.
G. Newport acquired the Alvis in 1957. During this ownership. the
car was extensively restored between 1998 and 2004 with the
coachwork and paint being taken care of by the Alvis specialists. br/>Walker Radiators of Lancashire. With Mr. D. G. Newport's
background. great attention to detail was adhered to during this
restoration with detailed drawings and photographs taken. referred
to and accompanied by beautifully hand-written letters. all of
which reside in the large history file along with the many
invoices.

Sadly. in Mr. Newport's later years. the Alvis was little used
until discovered and purchased by the current owner in 2008. Only
light re-commissioning work was required; these works included a
service. a rebuilt magneto and a re-trim to the original design.
The original 12 volt electrical system. supplied by two six volt
batteries has been converted to be supplied by a single 12 volt
battery. The original semaphore indicators are present but
disconnected; turning information now supplied by auxiliary units
at the rear and indication incorporated into the wing mounted side
light units to the front. The hood and assembly is in good order
and operates well and correctly. On a recent test drive. the Alvis
started easily and moved into all gears without problems. All
gauges registered as they should and importantly the car drove well
in a straight line and without any undue wavering on the road.

Today. this Alvis Speed 20 SB looks resplendent in the colour
combination of grey with red leather. It is regularly used where it
always attracts attention. in fact. it won the Southern Classics
Society 'Pride of Ownership award' in 2009 and more recently this
year. it was voted 'Best Classic Car' at Tangmere. UK registered
and with historic road fund licence valid until the end of June
2014. the vendor assures us that although not required. this Alvis
will arrive at the sale with a fresh MoT test certificate. With a
realistic estimate. this must represent an ideal opportunity to
acquire a rare and extremely sought after pre-war Alvis.

Want to buy this car?