Offered by the family of the late Barrie Pook
1937 Alvis Speed 20 Saloon

• One of the most advanced British sporting cars of its day
• Partially known ownership history
• Present ownership since 1971
• Recommissioned for sale (see text)

Introduced for 1932, the Alvis Speed Twenty was a fine quality, sporting car in the Coventry marque's best traditions. Carried over from the preceding 20hp Silver Eagle, the 2,511cc, six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine produced 90bhp on triple SU carburettors, an output sufficient to propel the tourer versions past 90mph. The low-slung Speed Twenty chassis was all new, addressing criticisms levelled at the 'tall-in-the-saddle' Silver Eagle, offering levels of grip and controllability matched by few of its rivals. "When cornering it is not only free from rolling – the low build sees to that – but the layout is such that it clings to the intended path at quite unexpected speeds, and when centrifugal force does eventually produce a skid it is of the rear wheels only and easily controlled," observed Motor Sport's tester.

Later-series (SC/SD) examples of the Speed Twenty came with a 2.8-litre engine, an all-synchromesh gearbox, and independent front suspension, making it one of the more technologically advanced British cars of its day.

This car, manufactured in 1936 and first registered in January 1937, was originally bought by Mr Montague Barnes Saunders, who covered over 30,000 miles in it up to 1964 when he died, bequeathing the car to Mr R M Strong, who took the mileage to nearly 32,000. The car was auctioned in October 1967 and sold for £560, and in 1968 passed into the hands of Lockerley Motors. It was bought by Barrie Pook at auction in May 1971 for £1,100 and has been kept within the family ever since.

Recommissioned for sale following a period of inactivity, the car is running well with good oil pressure. The engine is holding coolant (plain water in this case), but the radiator hoses need replacing (two bottom hoses have been replaced). The electrics need a thorough check. The fuel is being delivered by one SU electric pump from a fuel can to the carburettors. The other pump is isolated. The tank does not leak but it needs a thorough clean to remove old fuel deposits left over many years. No other fluids have been checked apart from engine oil. The (new) battery is under the offside rear seat beneath a metal panel. The brakes have not been tested. Offered with an old-style V5 erroneously listing the date of first registration as 1957.