1937 Alvis Speed 25 Drophead Coupé

 

This Alvis Speed 25, chassis number 19375 was discovered on a chicken farm in New Jersey, USA, in 1989 in a derelict state. It had belonged to an WWII American fighter pilot who had purchased it in London in 1945 and taken it back home with him after the war. He enjoyed the car but eventually was unable to source spare parts for it in the US. It was stored in a chicken shed until the late Max Houston, an award-winning Alvis marque expert heard about it. Houston telephoned the now current owner, and the car was purchased and imported to Australia.  Houston undertook the restoration in his workshop, the Vintage Motor Garage & Body Works at Central Mangrove in NSW with the work completed in 2004. Originally the car was green but is now presented in very attractive two-tone blue and silver livery combination. Since its restoration the car has been an award winner at several concours events and has performed well in Alvis Club rallies to Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia without any issues. It is powered by the straight six 3.5 litre engine number 15034.

 

The design of the drophead coupé body of this Speed 25 is based on that of the Charlesworth coachwork company of Coventry. The very extensive history file which accompanies the car shows bills for the restoration of more than Aus$400,000. It has been very well cared for by its owner of the last 34 years and has been fitted with power steering and overdrive to aid its useability for the roads of today. With lovely details throughout, this Alvis is an excellent example of a gentleman’s prewar British motor car.

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