Launched in August 1936, the Alvis Speed 25 was designed to take advantage of Britain's rapidly improving road network. Marrying sportscar-like performance to an impressive degree of refinement, the newcomer's sophisticated chassis layout incorporated independent transverse-leaf front suspension, a four-speed all synchromesh gearbox and large-diameter four-wheel drum brakes. Featuring a balanced seven-bearing crankshaft and novel spring-cluster overhead valve gear, its triple SU carburetor fed 3571cc straight-six engine was quoted as developing 108bhp @ 3,800rpm. A notably smooth and flexible unit, it endowed the model with near 100mph performance. Principally bodied by Charlesworth (Sports Saloon / Drophead Coupe) or Cross & Ellis (Tourer), the Alvis Speed 25 stole sales from both the Bentley 4.25 litre and Lagonda LG45 alike. Only in production from 1936 to 1940, just 391 cars are thought to have left the Holyhead Road factory.
This stylish Speed 25 carries its original and most attractive 3 position drophead coupe coachwork by Charlesworth who were specialists in crafting limited runs for low volume manufacturers such as Alvis, MG and Armstrong Siddeley from their works in Coventry.
This car has been produced in December 1936 and bodied by Charlesworth with a drophead coupe, numbered 14128.
We can the track the history to 1975, when the car was bought by Mr. Cummins, general secretary of the Alvis Owner Club at that time. The car was in bits and pieces and completely restored / rebuilt by Mr. Cummins. In 1989, he sold the car to Mr. Smith, who himself sold the car to Mr. and Mrs. AD Tringham, who enjoyed the car for years, before selling the car to Mr. Helmut Steyer, resident in Munich Germany.
During the years the car was maintained in a very good condition which is proved by the numerous invoices joining the car.
In 2019, LMB picked up the car in Munich , as it was bought by a Belgian car collector. During the last year we did quite some extra work on the car to get it into an excellent condition for relaxed driving.
Now it is again for sale, to be enjoyed by a new owner.