Alvis Speed 20 Litre 4 door convertible by Offord & Sons 1938
General description :
Vintage and Prestige are proud to offer this 1938 Alvis 4.3 Litre 4 door convertible by Offord & Sons
Registration: AH-41-06
Chassis no: 14343
Engine no: 14806
Car no: 19925
Coachwork: 1 off body by Offord and Sons
This unique car comes to us in excellent condition and exceptional history. Including an entry in the 1953 Brighton Speed Trials, driven by Stirling Moss.
Pre-war development of the six-cylinder Alvis culminated in the announcement in August 1936 of the 4.3-Litre, designed by the company's distinguished Chief Engineer, Captain George Smith-Clarke. The 4.3-Litre was based on the 3½-litre Speed 25 introduced the previous year, and was powered by an enlarged version of Alvis' new seven-bearing, overhead-valve engine producing 137bhp on triple carburettors.
The cruciform-braced chassis featured the kind of advanced thinking long associated with the marque; independent front suspension and a four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox, introduced on the preceding Speed Twenty, were retained with the additional refinements of driver-controlled Luvax hydraulic dampers and servo-assisted brakes.
Claimed to be the fastest un-supercharged saloon on the UK market, the Alvis 4.3-Litre was certainly one of the few pre-war saloons capable of a genuine 100mph. Sturdily built and endowed with a generous wheelbase, the Alvis six attracted some of the finest examples of the pre-war coachbuilders' art, though the 4.3-Litre's chassis-only price of £750 meant that ownership was necessarily confined to wealthy connoisseurs.
A complete 4.3-Litre cost around £1,100, outstanding value for money given its specification and performance, and comfortably undercutting rivals such as the V12 Lagonda and 4¼-Litre Bentley. Despite this price advantage, only 198 cars had been delivered when the outbreak of World War 2 stopped production. Some 95 survivors are known to the Alvis Owners Club.
Chassis 14343 is the only known Offord & Sons 4-door Convertible on Alvis Chassis, originally built as the 1938 Show Car and delivered to Messrs. Brooklands Motor Co. in London on December 21st 1938.
The Alvis 4.3 register continues the list of owners and shows the car as being driven in the 1953 Brighton speed trials by Stirling Moss, photographic evidence is in the history file.
Mr Rankin, a well know Alvis collector purchased the 4.3 in 1990 and commissioned a complete restoration by marque experts Mike Fisher Restoration Ltd. There is a full photographic folder showing the comprehensive restoration, which was completed in 1999.
Shortly after completion 14343 was sold to the current owner who has retained her for some 19 years. During his tenure the Alvis has competed regularly in competitions and even achieved 2ndplace in the International Alvis Concours D’elegance. Maintenance was still carried out by Mike Fischer until 2002, since then the maintenance has been carried out by specialists in the Netherlands, this is all up to date and extremely thorough. Due to the aging owner a EZ steering system was fitted in 2016 which is barely noticeable.
In our showroom and ready for viewing.
http://www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/sales/1630/1938-alvis-4-3-litre-4-door-convertible-by-offord-sons/
1938 Alvis Speed 20 Litre 4 door convertible by Offord & Sons is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Grays by Vintage Prestige for £150000.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Alvis Model : Speed 20 Model Version : Litre 4 door convertible by Offord & Sons Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1938 Sub type : Convertible Location : Essex
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About Alvis Speed 20
The Alvis Speed 20 was a notable model produced by the British automobile manufacturer Alvis Ltd. Let's explore its history and highlight some significant moments:Introduction:
The Alvis Speed 20 was introduced in 1932 as a successor to the Alvis 12/60 model.
It was designed as a luxury sports car, combining performance, elegance, and advanced engineering.
Engine and Performance:
The Speed 20 featured a 2.5-liter straight-six engine with overhead valves.
It was available in various tuning configurations, including the standard 87 bhp version, as well as the more powerful 91 bhp and 99 bhp options.
The car's lightweight construction and powerful engine allowed it to achieve impressive performance for its time, reaching top speeds of around 90 mph (145 km/h).
Coachwork and Styling:
The Speed 20 was offered with a variety of coachwork options, including open tourers, saloons, dropheads, and coupés.
It featured sleek and elegant styling, often with flowing lines and art deco-inspired design elements.
Many coachbuilders, including Charlesworth, Vanden Plas, and Mulliners, created bespoke bodies for the Speed 20, allowing customers to customize their cars according to their preferences.
Sporting Successes:
The Alvis Speed 20 achieved notable successes in various motorsport events and competitions.
In 1935, a Speed 20 won the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race in the 2-liter class, marking a significant moment for Alvis and solidifying the car's reputation for both performance and reliability.
End of Production:
The Speed 20 remained in production until 1936, after which it was succeeded by the Alvis Speed 25 model.
The Alvis Speed 20 is considered a significant model in Alvis's history, representing their commitment to engineering excellence, stylish design, and sporting achievements. Its combination of performance and luxury made it a desirable choice for discerning customers of the era.