Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 467
1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD Drophead Coupe Coachwork by Charlesworth Former UK Road Registration DLK 528 Chassis no. 13298 Engine no. 13749
Sold for US$47,040 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 467
1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD Drophead Coupe Coachwork by Charlesworth
1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD Drophead Coupe
Coachwork by Charlesworth
Former UK Road Registration DLK 528
Chassis no. 13298
Engine no. 13749
Coachwork by Charlesworth
Former UK Road Registration DLK 528
Chassis no. 13298
Engine no. 13749
2,762cc OHV 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors
87bhp at 4,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Final derivative of Speed 20
*Long US history
*Archetypal combination of maker and coachbuilder
*Project car
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Frank Spain also enjoyed the process of restoration and a number of projects, such as the SD Drophead Coupe were acquired. As an Anglophile, Frank Spain gravitated towards Alvis marque and it wasn't long before 3 were nestled in his stable! In one particular letter on file, by 1989 he was able to comment that he had indeed been the buyer of all three that had recently appeared for sale publicly.
Bonhams is grateful to historian Wayne Brooks for his assistance in researching this car. He has been able to confirm to us that chassis 13298 was originally delivered in light grey, with grey fenders and a grey interior and top and left the Works on October 5, 1936. It would be one of only 10 Drophead Coupes by Charlesworth. Its first owner is understood to have been John Bartlett Hilary, in the City of London, who registered the car in January 1937. Later custodians are noted as Warren Hastings of Speldhurst in Kent, in February 1939 and a Mrs. Dixon of 20 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2 in 1945. Shortly afterwards the car became the property of Roy E. Shaddbolt, who is known to have been based in Capetown, South Africa, but also later British Columbia. It seems likely that it was he who brought the car to North America.
From then onward it can chart a long post war history in the US, which began with Ken Hunter of Vancouver. After this it is noted as having been here already by 1955 and was advertised then by George Creighton, also of Vancouver, in Road and Track, and featured as a salon car in the same issue. From Creighton it passed to Richard LeRoi Newton in 1964 who was based in Portland, Oregon, but later moved to Chicago and by the time Frank was able to purchase the car it has been retired to a relative's barn in Milwaukee.
Sadly, projects such as this remained on the 'to do' list, but this has been safely preserved in this collection and can provide the next custodian with an enticing rebuild.
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