Alvis Speed 20
Encyclopedia
The Alvis Speed 20 was a British touring car made between 1932 and 1936 by Alvis Ltd
in Coventry
. It went through four variants coded SA to SD.
The car could be fitted with a variety of coachwork. Standard bodies were a four-door saloon from coachbuilders Charlesworth
or four-door tourer by Cross and Ellis, but some cars were supplied in chassis form and carried bodies by coachbuilders such as Vanden Plas
.
Approximately 400 of the SA cars were made.
As with the SA, a wide range of bodies were fitted to the cars. Large Lucas 12 in (305 mm) P100 headlamps became standard, adding to the sporting appearance of the car.
As with many cars of the time, bodies were getting more luxurious and hence heavier. To maintain performance the Speed 20 was replaced in 1937 by the 3.5-litre Speed 25
model.
Alvis Cars
Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a British manufacturing company that existed in Coventry, England from 19191967. In addition to automobiles designed for the civilian market, the company also produced racing cars, aircraft engines, armoured cars and other armoured fighting vehicles, the...
in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
. It went through four variants coded SA to SD.
Speed 20 SA
The engine for the Speed 20 was based on the one used in the preceding Silver Eagle cars but heavily modified to give 87 bhp. Triple SU carburettors were fitted. The chassis was new and lowered by making it a "double drop" type where the side rails go over the front and rear axles. A centralised lubrication system was fitted allowing oil to be provided to moving suspension parts through a maze of pipework. Both front and rear suspension used half-elliptic leaf springs and the brakes with 14 in (356 mm) drums, mechanically operated. The four-speed manual gearbox was mounted in-unit with the engine.The car could be fitted with a variety of coachwork. Standard bodies were a four-door saloon from coachbuilders Charlesworth
Charlesworth
- People :As a surname* Albert Charlesworth , English cricketer* Alfred Charlesworth , English cricketer* Brent Charlesworth , British politician* Brian Charlesworth , British evolutionary biologist...
or four-door tourer by Cross and Ellis, but some cars were supplied in chassis form and carried bodies by coachbuilders such as Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas is the name of a company of coachbuilders who produced bodies for specialist and up-market automobile manufacturers. Latterly the name became a top-end luxury model designation for cars from various subsidiaries of British Leyland and the Rover Group.-Belgium:It originated in Belgium in...
.
Approximately 400 of the SA cars were made.
Speed 20 SB
The SB launched at the 1933 London Motor Show had a new chassis, slightly longer at 124 in (3,150 mm), with independent front suspension using a transverse leaf spring. The engine remained the same but the gearbox gained synchromesh on bottom gear and was mounted separately from the engine. A built-in jacking system was fitted as standard.As with the SA, a wide range of bodies were fitted to the cars. Large Lucas 12 in (305 mm) P100 headlamps became standard, adding to the sporting appearance of the car.
Speed 20 SC
For 1935 the engine grew to 2762 cc by increasing the stroke to 110 mm and the range designation became SC. Modifications were also made to the complex steering gear and the front damping improved. Twin electric fuel pumps were provided. At the rear the chassis was stiffened by having side members both above and below the axle.Speed 20 SD
The final SD version for 1936 was similar to the SC but had a larger fuel tank and slightly wider bodywork. A 130 in (3,302 mm) wheelbase version became an option.As with many cars of the time, bodies were getting more luxurious and hence heavier. To maintain performance the Speed 20 was replaced in 1937 by the 3.5-litre Speed 25
Alvis Speed 25
The Alvis Speed 25 was a British touring car made between 1936 or 1937 and 1940 by Alvis Ltd in Coventry. It replaced the Alvis Speed 20. The earlier car’s six-cylinder, four main bearing engine was replaced in the Speed 25 with a similarly designed larger six-cylinder in-line unit with seven...
model.