1935 Alvis Speed 20 Charlesworth Saloon. SOLD
Video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_k9-D9IMcA
A prize-winning Alvis Speed 20 Sports Saloon with coachwork by Charlesworth. It is in fabulous original order having had only 5 private keepers in 76 years with a continuous history from leaving the factory.
Understandably it drives exactly as it should which I can personally vouch for having driven it 300 miles virtually non-stop when collecting the car from NW Scotland. It is amazingly economical for such a big car returning over 23 MPG so this is a car for serious rallying as can be seen from the hundreds of Alvis Club Event photos in the history file which also includes over 100 garage invoices totalling the thick end of £42,500.
The first British car with Independent Front Wheel Springing and Steering and All Four Syncro-mesh Gearbox technology. Being the SC model it has the more powerful 2.7 litre engine with triple SU's and a top gear ratio that makes long distance very comfortable. A nice feature is the wind-down jacking system which makes wheel-changing a doddle. The sunroof is fully functional also. Subsequent works in the last few months include professional repaint in cellulose lacquer and repairs to the timber frame by skilled cabinet maker who also made the bespoke teak sun visor which is designed to be easily removable.
Bare-metal repaint Repairs to timber frame
Fully functioning Sun Roof The magnificent driver's view over the bonnet & P100's
Presents impeccably with faultless chromework and deliciously patinated leather interior.
Comes with The Original Alvis Owner’s Handbook, Buff Log Book, Over 20 years of MOT Certificates, 5 Box files of History. Alvis toolkit.
The bespoke teak sun visor which is designed to be easily removable.
An original and prestigious English car with great provenance now available for a new ownership chapter in it‘s long history.
Brief History of Alvis BOJ 623
The car was despatched from the Factory on the 2nd January, 1935 to Bryant’s Garages of Bromsgrove. The Alvis Master Register notes (but without any dates) ownership by a D,Inglis-Crawford and then W.H.Robinson of the Market Hotel, Wigan. By 1940 it was acquired by Monte Fritz Lloyd of Leicester who was to enjoy the car for the next 29 years.
Nicely patinated leather interior
He was a prosperous shoe manufacturer with a penchant for playing the violin. He must have turned his factory over to war production because he was still driving the Alvis during the war years when most passenger cars were banned. On one business trip in 1940, driving from Scotland to home, presumably with his foot down on traffic-free roads, he succeeded in blowing up the engine (No 12428). As Alvis was also focussed on the war effort it was only possible for them to supply and install a new (and very rare) TK Crested Eagle engine (No 13792) which they had on the shelf, rather than repair the existing unit. Monte wrote a small note explaining all this in the Handbook, which is still with the car today.
Hardwood timber running board inserts
In 1969 at the age of 80 Monte sold the car to Capt John Wilson Herbert (Alvis Member 4019), a war hero and pioneer Monte Carlo Rallyist, also a former Mayor of Neston. He owned the Alvis for 30 years and attended many Club Events. In 1985 it was awarded the trophy for "Best Pre-1955 Alvis". In 1999 John sold the car to AOC member Dr Michael Ronald Edwards of Brighton who appears to have put his Alvis Firebird in part-exchange judging by various letters in the correspondence file. His ownership lasted 10 years during which time he maintained the car fastidiously with Red Triangle Coventry. The works encompassed all areas, gearbox exchanged, engine rebuilt, rewiring, rear axle rebuilt, re-trimming interior, re-plating all chrome work, suspension and braking system, bodywork and lots more, the total expenditure amounts to over £40,000. In 2006 it was judged the Best Car at the AOC Falmouth Rally and that was prior to the recent refit.