Alvis 4.3 Litre SA 'Pillarless' Saloon by Vanden Plas
Alvis 4.3 Litre SA 'Pillarless' Saloon by Vanden Plas
One of only nine surviving examples from the original 17 4.3 Litre chassis fitted with Vanden Plas pillarless saloon coachwork
Not publicly offered for nearly fifty years
Retaining its original chassis, engine and coachwork, as confirmed by the Alvis Car Record
Restored by the foremost Alvis specialists, Red Triangle of Kenilworth, England
Recognised as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America
The Alvis name stands among the finest European motor cars of the pre-war period, renowned for engineering excellence that placed the marque in direct competition with Bentley and Lagonda for high-speed touring supremacy. Nowhere was this more evident than in the 4.3 Litre model produced between 1936 and 1940, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Alvis development. Its enlarged and strengthened overhead-valve six-cylinder engine, running on seven main bearings and producing some 137 horsepower, endowed the car with remarkable flexibility and performance. Contemporary claims placed it comfortably above 100 mph, making it one of the fastest touring cars available in Britain, and when clothed in first-class coachwork, it possessed the presence to match its abilities.
Chassis number 18558 is one of just 17 4.3 Litre examples to receive the elegant pillarless saloon body by Vanden Plas, a design that combined practicality with a lightness and openness seldom achieved in closed cars of the period. Of those originally built, only nine are known to survive today. According to the Alvis Car Record and long-term research by a dedicated marque authority, the car was originally delivered in February 1937 to John Harold Strachan of Cobham, England.
As is typical for many pre-war British motor cars, its early history is sparingly recorded, with documentation becoming continuous from the post-war period. By 1957 the Alvis was in the ownership of Mrs Gisele Harvey of London, and from that point onward its custodianship is well documented. After passing through several further UK owners, the car was exported to the United States in the early 1960s, entering the care of R. H. Goldberg and remaining on the East Coast for many years thereafter.
After decades largely out of the public eye, the Alvis was acquired by the present owner, a long-standing collector and student of the marque, who recognised both its rarity and intrinsic quality. A comprehensive restoration was commissioned with Red Triangle of Kenilworth, England, universally regarded as the leading authorities on Alvis motor cars. Completed to a high standard and with close attention paid to originality, the car is finished in an elegant, subtly metallic grey complemented by a red leather interior, a combination that suits the Vanden Plas lines particularly well. Throughout, the detailing reflects the quality expected of a top-tier British coachbuilder of the period.
Importantly, the car retains its original chassis, engine and coachwork, all matching and confirmed by its Alvis Car Record, a copy of which accompanies the car. It is believed not to have been offered on the open market for some 49 years, adding a further layer of distinction to its provenance.
With its outstanding performance, rare and desirable coachwork, and long-term enthusiast ownership, this 4.3 Litre SA represents one of the finest expressions of the Alvis marque and stands as a superb example of a great pre-war British touring motor car.
Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call to book an appointment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.
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