1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB Sports Tourer

Alvis was founded in Coventry, England in 1919. Ironically, the name Alvis had no particular significance; it was chosen by the founders of the company as it sounded good in any language. The cars established a reputation for both quality and performance with Alvis producing 6937 cars prior to WWII. During the Thirties, the company concentrated on aero engines and military vehicles until well after the War. In the Fifties, it became a one-model, one-engine company. Production continued through July 1965 when the Alvis was taken over by Rover.

The Alvis Speed 20 is powered by a 90 horsepower, 2511cc six-cylinder engine. Coupled with its low-slung coachwork, it offered superior handling unmatched by its rivals. The SB is the second version of the Speed 20 updated with an all-synchromesh transmission and independent front suspension. It is one of 41-speed 20 SB fitted with Cross & Ellis coachwork. The numbers-matching example was restored in New Zealand in 2007.

Alvis was a small but innovative company that introduced its second-generation Speed 20 model at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show, utilizing the company's SB series chassis. The Speed 20 SB introduced two important innovations including a front independent suspension and a fully synchromesh gearbox. The synchromesh feature was the first such gearbox ever fitted on a production automobile.

In total, just 375 SB chassis were produced in three series over the course of 1934. Most of these were given closed coachwork. Just 41 examples were given Cross & Ellis' open touring body.

Chassis Number 11337
This car was originally bodied as a four-seat tourer with a two-tone paint scheme of green wheels and fenders, with a black hood. It was powered by the later version of the SB engine, which featured higher-performance SS4 carburetors.

On June 6th of 1934, the car was dispatched for Mann, Egerton & Company, an automotive and aviation concern in Norwich, England, which retailed new cars. From there, it was purchased new by Martin Hodson of Ridlington, Norfolk, who eventually sold the car to G.B. Pearce of Southampton. By 1961, the SB was imported to the United States by Al Chambers of Powell, Ohio.

During the 1960s, Mr. Chambers sold the car to Roy Tausch, a mechanical engineer for the Ford Motor Company who actively raced in the SCCA. Mr. Taush used the car in vintage events during the early 1970s on circuits such as Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, and Nelson Ledges.

After Mr. Taush's death in 1982, the car remained with his widow for many years. In 2006, Mrs. Taush finally parted ways with the car. It was acquired by the current owner.

The new owner commissioned a comprehensive five-year refurbishment by Tempero Coachworks in Oamaru, New Zealand. The matching numbers engine was completely rebuilt and fine-tuned to factory specifications. Every effort was made to properly and authentically restored the body and chassis.

The only change to the cars originally was done to the interior, which was done in a shade of fawn rather than the original green. Currently, the car shows just over 24,000 miles, which are believed to be original.

The engine is a 2511cc overhead valve unit fitted with Triple SU SS4 carburetors and offers 87 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013