1939 Alvis Speed 25SC Saloon

Coachwork by Charlesworth Registration no. FXC 317 Chassis no. 14632 Engine no. 15116

Footnotes

Car number '19946' (chassis '14632') was fitted with a Charlesworth saloon body (number '14520') and delivered to Messrs Anderson Ltd of London on 1st February 1939. Its first owner registered the Alvis on 3rd April '39 but its early history is unclear. Records on file suggest that it was owned by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Campbell in early 1959. Thereafter the Alvis has had known owners including AOC member E G Coleman (1959-1969) who undertook significant mechanical and bodywork refurbishment in 1960 to bring it up to fair running condition. Next custodian Peter Black (another AOC member) owned 'FXC 317' from 1970 to 1985. Peter Black was the long-term Alvis Owners Club Technical guru and L'Alvis Club de France founder and Chairman. While in his ownership the car was restored to very good working order, as can be seen in the December 1976 issue of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars, where it was featured and illustrated in an article on Alvis (copy on file).

Next owner (another AOC member) K E Tingley took the car to the USA where it remained, albeit little used, until 1990. Repatriated to the UK, 'FXC 317' was next owned in quick succession by two dealers (E H Killorin and Jeremy Wade) before passing to AOC member E W Jones in 1991. In September of that year the Alvis was sold to AOC member J E Brading. In his 10-year ownership Mr Branding undertook another complete rebuild of the body, frame, interior, transmission, engine and mechanicals, including fitting a new high-compression cylinder head (see documents and photographs on file). During this well documented ownership the odometer reading increased from 22,000 to 45,000 miles with recorded trips across the length and breadth of the UK and Europe. The current vendor, yet another AOC member, has owned the Speed 25 since 2009.

The vendor has maintained the car's good condition, with particular attention being paid to driveability and reliability. This has focused on rebuilding the wheels and braking system, plus the installation of an overdrive by Red Triangle for more relaxed cruising under modern driving conditions. Initially, the Alvis was laid up for a number of years while the current owner worked overseas. After recommissioning it continued to make continental trips until the Covid epidemic curtailed this activity.

Rarely seen in public over the last 12 years, the car comes to the market in a sound condition and with a recorded mileage of 48,361. Ready to embark on further adventures with its new owner, 'FXC 317' comes with very well documented provenance, a pack of essential running spares for touring and a badged indoor fitted car cover.