1934 | Alvis Speed 20

• The most beautiful body build on an Alvis with the best made Speed 25 Engine
• Built in 1934 with coachwork by Vanden Plas and sporting the larger Speed 25, 3571cc engine
• Fully restored by renowned marque specialists Red Triangle between 1989 and 1992
• The hood, side screens, tonneau and carpets were renewed using the original patterns
• Mechanically the 25 SP engine produces some 118bhp and is fitted with a modern oil filter
• Subtle upgrades also include Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition and integrated turning signals

Alvis’s image changed forever with the introduction of the Speed 20 in January 1932. The model transformed the company from a small concern with shaky finances to a fashionable, successful upper-crust marque with a full order book. By putting an expanded version of its six-cylinder engine into a new chassis, Alvis created a dashing, low-slung sports car with excellent performance. As the years went by and updates came thick and fast, the model evolved into a gentleman’s express clothed with larger, more luxurious open tourer, drop head coupe, two and four-door saloon, and even Sedanca bodies. Today these are all much sought after, not only for their looks and engineering but for their user-friendliness, as all but the earliest Speed 20s have a central gear change, synchromesh gears, independent front suspension and enough power to mix easily with modern traffic. Almost every year brought a new version; the Speed 20 SA in 1932, the SB with independent front suspension and synchromesh in 1934, the SC with 2762cc and 25mm added to the wheelbase in 1935 and the SD with a wider scuttle in 1936.This delightful Alvis SP20 was built in 1934 and clothed with rather ‘sporty’ bodywork by one of the finest coachbuilders of the era, Vanden Plas. According to a charming magazine article in Classic & Sports Car in 2012, the writer, James Page, found the car for sale with Red Triangle at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the article details the cars impact on him. His father, at the age of 18, bought ‘BGW 603’ in 1965 for £20, having to borrow fifty per cent, a tenner, from a friend to complete the purchase. It was his father who upgraded the car’s power with an engine from an SP25. The car was sold in 1985 to fund a new business and in 1989 the marque specialists at Red Triangle undertook a three-year restoration that eventually cost some £40,000 at 1993 prices (full details in the cars history file).

The restoration works were extensive and included new aluminium wings with wing guards for stone protection, and culminated with a full respray back to black. Mechanical attention included a few modern upgrades such as electronic ignition, a Kenlowe fan and a modern oil filter. The hood, tonneau, side screens and carpets were re-trimmed to original patterns. Once finished the car was extensively campaigned and graced the lawns of Europe’s premier car shows. Presenting today in exceptional condition, this Alvis has a fascinating history file and is ready for its next custodian.

NL Documents 

Make:AlvisType:Speed 20 SB Year:1934Engine:6 Cylinder , 3571c OHC , Speed 25Body:Vandenplas TourerDocuments:NL Road registrationExtra information:

• The most beautiful body build on an Alvis with the best made Speed 25 Engine
• Built in 1934 with coachwork by Vanden Plas and sporting the larger Speed 25, 3571cc engine
• Fully restored by renowned marque specialists Red Triangle between 1989 and 1992
• The hood, side screens, tonneau and carpets were renewed using the original patterns
• Mechanically the 25 SP engine produces some 118bhp and is fitted with a modern oil filter
• Subtle upgrades also include Kenlowe fan, electronic ignition and integrated turning signals

Alvis’s image changed forever with the introduction of the Speed 20 in January 1932. The model transformed the company from a small concern with shaky finances to a fashionable, successful upper-crust marque with a full order book. By putting an expanded version of its six-cylinder engine into a new chassis, Alvis created a dashing, low-slung sports car with excellent performance. As the years went by and updates came thick and fast, the model evolved into a gentleman’s express clothed with larger, more luxurious open tourer, drop head coupe, two and four-door saloon, and even Sedanca bodies. Today these are all much sought after, not only for their looks and engineering but for their user-friendliness, as all but the earliest Speed 20s have a central gear change, synchromesh gears, independent front suspension and enough power to mix easily with modern traffic. Almost every year brought a new version; the Speed 20 SA in 1932, the SB with independent front suspension and synchromesh in 1934, the SC with 2762cc and 25mm added to the wheelbase in 1935 and the SD with a wider scuttle in 1936.This delightful Alvis SP20 was built in 1934 and clothed with rather ‘sporty’ bodywork by one of the finest coachbuilders of the era, Vanden Plas. According to a charming magazine article in Classic & Sports Car in 2012, the writer, James Page, found the car for sale with Red Triangle at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the article details the cars impact on him. His father, at the age of 18, bought ‘BGW 603’ in 1965 for £20, having to borrow fifty per cent, a tenner, from a friend to complete the purchase. It was his father who upgraded the car’s power with an engine from an SP25. The car was sold in 1985 to fund a new business and in 1989 the marque specialists at Red Triangle undertook a three-year restoration that eventually cost some £40,000 at 1993 prices (full details in the cars history file).

The restoration works were extensive and included new aluminium wings with wing guards for stone protection, and culminated with a full respray back to black. Mechanical attention included a few modern upgrades such as electronic ignition, a Kenlowe fan and a modern oil filter. The hood, tonneau, side screens and carpets were re-trimmed to original patterns. Once finished the car was extensively campaigned and graced the lawns of Europe’s premier car shows. Presenting today in exceptional condition, this Alvis has a fascinating history file and is ready for its next custodian.