The Alvis company was a most prolific maker of motor cars with early emphasis on sporting models and a notable number of "Firsts" for innovative ideas.Among these new ideas were: Front wheel drive and an independent suspension system front and rear using quarter elliptic springs. An 8 cylinder engine of only 1500cc was tried in 1928, but was found to be over complicated and temperamental and was soon discontinued. This magnificent vehicle, the Speed 20, dates from 1934 and is typical of the marque, in being just that bit better than most. It has often been said that the Speed 20 and its larger Speed 25 derivative were the best and most glamorous cars that Alvis ever made. The 4.3 Litre model had an easy 100 MPH+ performance with vivid acceleration to match. The Speed 20 was provided with a high standard of equipment and trim and was also well built with good quality materials and the range was aimed at the top end of the Sports Saloon market. This example appears to have been originally supplied as a Tourer with coachwork by Cross & Ellis. Extracts from the considerable amount of historical data on this car reveal that,at one time in the late 1940s, It was fitted with an aluminium van body.It is also interesting to note that it was crashed and sold for scrap at some time during 1948/1949. After this the car was rescued and much later rebodied with Saloon coachwork which it still retains. The original Red and Blue/Grey with Black finish with Red Leather interior was replaced during major rebuilding, during the early 1980s, with the present scheme, when new wings were also made. The car was at one time owned by Commander H Duffin RN who recorded and passed on a lot of the records that are still in existence. Much of this material came to light in 1988 during research by Mr Gordon Burns for the "Surprise Surprise" TV Programme. This vehicle is on loan to the collection, with a very fortunate provision that it may also be used for wedding work.

The Alvis is provided with a high standard of equipment and trim and was well built with good quality materials. These models were aimed at the top end of the Sports Saloon market. This example was originally supplied as a Tourer, with coachwork by Cross & Ellis. The history reveals, that in the late 1940s the car was used with an aluminium van body. The car was also converted for racing during 1948/49, but following a crash, it was sold off for scrap. The car was rescued and much later rebodied with the saloon coachwork that it still retains. The original Red and Blue/Grey finish, was replaced during major rebuilding during the early 1980s, when the present scheme was applied. New wings were also made and fitted on this occasion. Records are held of lengthy correspondence, between Alvis Engineering Ltd and a past owner, who was intending to have the vehicle rebuilt, but shelved the project on the grounds of expense. Much of the cars history came to light in 1988, when Mr Gordon Burns was carrying out research for the "Surprise Surprise" TV Programme.

General Information
REGISTRATION NUMBER	FP 2739
AWMMT Cat No	83
MANUFACTURER	ALVIS
PARENT COMPANY	ALVIS CAR AND ENGINEERING Co Ltd
MODEL	19/82 B Speed 20
MILEAGE	100,000+
YEAR	1934
ENGINE
CUBIC CAPACITY	2762cc(B,C,D Series) 2511cc(A Series)
BORE	73mm
STROKE	110mm(B,C,D) 100mm(A)
CYLINDERS	6
COMPRESSION RATIO	6.33:1
VALVE GEAR	OHV
FUELLING	AC Mechanical Pump
CARBURETTORS	3 x SU SS4 Type
IGNITION	Coil & Magneto
HP/BHP	20 HP 87 BHP @ 4000 RPM
TORQUE	Not recorded
TRANSMISSION
MAKE	Alvis
TYPE	Manual
NUMBER OF FORWARD SPEEDS	4