1932' Alvis Speed 20 Sa

1932 Alvis Speed 20 SA by Vanden Plas
U.K. Registration Number : GY 4083
Car number : 14505
Chassis Number : 9846
Engine no : 10298
Old English Ivory White with British Racing green Leather interior

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a wonderful early example of the car, that established Alvis as a manufacturer. This matching numbers car, is an early production Speed 20 SA, one of the first from the initial batch of 100 chassis. Restored to high standards, in an excellent colour combination and is perfect to casually show or use for touring and events.

Introduced in 1932, the Alvis Speed 20 marked a turning point for the British company Alvis, by establishing them as a fashionable marque, offering stylish, quick, and well-engineered automobiles.

Featuring a triple SU carbureted 2.5 litre inline-six cylinder engine, the Speed 20 SA was a sporting and dashing low-slung car, particularly when fitted with handsome open tourer bodywork by Vanden Plas.

The SA is considered more desirable by many enthusiasts, by virtue of its lighter weight and superior acceleration. The car was technically innovative, with its all overhead valve, six-cylinder engine. Most chassis were fitted with Cross and Ellis coachwork, but the London, Mayfair dealer, Charles Follett offered an exclusive two door tourer, by upmarket Vanden Plas at a greater cost.

The early SA’s had a beam axle, as independent front suspension only became available from the SB onwards. One of the outstanding features of the SA was the amount by which the new chassis had been lowered (double-dropped) between the 2 axles, to give a lower line of the coachwork and give the SA it’s particular rakish appearance. The Speed 20 and its replacement, the Speed 25, grew in weight and complexity from 1932 until production ended in 1940, making the earliest cars, the pick of the bunch for purists.

GY 4083 is in excellent mechanical condition throughout, that will keep up with modern day traffic easily. Over the last few years, an absolute fortune has been spent on this car, culminating in a beautifully practical post vintage, multiple prize winning car, that has embarked, with it’s current owner, on many regular reliable, long journeys, within the UK and France.

The paintwork has been completed to a very high standard, and with some graceful mellowing to the restoration, remains excellent, with a handful of small nicks which are testament to it’s regular usage over the last few years. The chrome is in superb condition with light wear and ageing only. The lights and lamps are excellent throughout, and the car has great detailing, from the correct Rotax tribar headlamps to the FT37 spotlights, to the integrated suspension lubrication system, whose copper pipes are visible to those with sharp eyes. The canvas top, tonao, side screens and hood bag were all renewed during the restoration and remain in an excellent condition as well.

The interior is equally outstanding, with very slight patina to the leather, and lovely green wool carpeting with green binding. The workmanship of both the leather and carpets is excellent throughout, and the dashboard is equally special, with the beautiful correct period instruments in-situ. The wood is in excellent shape, and as are the various controls, including the dash mounted chassis lubrication system.

This car is priced at a reasonable figure to sell, and is for sale, only because the current owner has other projects in mind.