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Alvis has left the Building! 1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD

Hailing from the era of the visually similar MG T-Type, this lovely 1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD rides on a 127 or 130 inch wheelbase vs. the MG TA’s diminutive 94 inches. This particular Speed 20 SD in Astoria, NY seeks a new owner here on eBay Classifieds with an asking price of $59,500. Though right-hand-drive, this Alvis has a “long U.S. history.” According to the seller, coachbuilder Charlesworth made only ten Drophead Coupe SDs, and this is your chance to own one.

With its back seat and convertible top, the Speed 20 offers open-air motoring for four. The final variant of a line that began in 1931, the SD benefited from the advances made in the SA through SC models of the Speed 20.

Despite being offered by the well-known Gullwing Motor Cars, the car’s listing includes scant information relative to the nearly $60,000 asking price. Clearly the Speed 20 SD sells itself! The appeal and value of never-restored vehicles leaves open the possibility of a minimalist refurbishment, though hopefully enough to safely enjoy it as a motorcar, not a motionless object.

The 2.8L (169 cid) inline six makes 95 HP (thanks to wikivisually.com for some details). Like some other cars of the era, a centralized lubrication system provided oil to moving suspension components using dedicated pipes and a special foot-pedal in the cabin. Thanks to the advances in technology and greed, today’s manufacturers build disposable cars with non-serviceable parts that are “lifetime lubricated,” where “lifetime” is defined as several days beyond the duration of the financing or warranty expiration. Setting aside the cost, who do you picture as the ideal next owner of this rare touring car?

Comments

  1. Avatar Coventrycat

    Absolutely gorgeous, even in that condition.

    Like 16
    • Avatar David Keen

      Yet another outstandingly beautiful piece of “Kipper” engineering from the days when men were men and women were glad they were?? If you though the DB4 was gonna be expensive to restore. I can’t imagine what this car will cost to bring back to it’s former glory.. They’ll always be an England. Wellllll one can live in hope I guess??

      Like 2
  2. Avatar art

    I wonder who brought it here and when…was it then saved from WWII bombings?
    If that car could only talk. So stately and handsome. That’s when cars were really cars! Coventrycat is correct…beautiful, even as presented.

    Like 9
  3. Avatar hatofpork

    “Best car ever made”. – Jim Prideaux

    Like 3
  4. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Beautiful lines! Yes I know it’s not the right car but I could see Grace Kelley driving this with Cary Grant in “To Catch a Thief”. It’s got that degree of elegance to it IMO.

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

    This is some car and easily a top-ten post title for 2019.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Ramone

      Certainly is a top ten, I think. Quite the car. I don’t know much about these, but the lines on this beauty are fantastic. I’m reminded of the car Cruella de Ville drove in the cartoon 101 Dalmations. My kids made me watch that repeatedly. Hope this thing gets the attention it deserves.

      Like 4
  6. Avatar Bob_S

    That is one beautiful car. A friend of a friend had one in Toledo Oh. I was hoping to get a ride in it but the day I was there the trans was removed for a clutch issue. This was probably 15+ years age. Great looking car, LOVE IT!

    Like 3
  7. Avatar leiniedude Member

    A hunk a hunk of burning love is right. Crummy ad, no seat shots , top not down and so on. Pretty girl.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar luke arnott

    Alvis still make cars in penny numbers at Kenilworth,not far from their original home in Coventry.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Max Wynne

      . . . and ALL, yes all, parts still available, I believe

      Like 0
    • Avatar Lawrence S. Roberts

      The Kenilworth Alvis is expensive and on a long waiting list but I will keep the lottery tickets coming.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Larry Erd

    That was me with a 1936 Speed 20
    SD in Toledo, great car, all syc.4
    Speed trans, adjustable shocks from the dash, coil and mag ign.
    2 elect. Fuel pumps, independent
    Front suspension, ( like Corvett),
    A 95 mile per hour car. etc. etc.
    L. Erd

    Like 1
    • Avatar Bob_S

      Hi Larry,
      Its been a long time. I still remember coming down with Ben to see you. You were in the process of moving to a new house several street over from the house with the English Garden, if I remember correctly.

      That was one a nice Alvis you had, not perfect but nice. Gorgeous lines and I’ll never forget it. But then you always seemed to have an interesting car or two around.

      Take Care,
      Bob

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Del

    Who will next owner be , well not me.

    Going to be expensive resto.

    Next owner may be a shop who specializes in these. For the rich.

    Like 1
  11. HoA Howard A Member

    What kind of blithering ding-a-ling would let a fantastic, putting it mildly, automobile get like this? We see dilapidated hulks come through here that allegedly sell for 5 figures, but this, at a seemingly bargain at $60g’s, and not one bid. Heck, you could throw $200g’s into this and still triple your money. I’ll say it again, interest is waning folks.

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Bob

    “What kind of blithering ding-a-ling would let a fantastic, putting it mildly, automobile get like this? ”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABMaW5EmYF8

    Like 3
  13. Avatar geoff a

    more free advertising for a commercial flipper, I don’t get it. Nice car , wish somebody lots of luck with the restoration.

    Like 0

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