Classic Cars: 1932 Alvis Speed 20 SA | Wrenches.com

1932 Alvis Speed 20 SA

In 1919, T.G. John, a Welshman, naval architect and engineer, founded the company that was to become Alvis Ltd. The company produced high-end automobiles from 1920 to 1967 that were known for innovation, quality craftsmanship, reliability and performance. In 1920, John teamed up with Geoffry de Freville, whose designs for a four-cylinder engine with aluminum pistons and pressure lubrication were far ahead of the times.

Innovations in an Innovative Era

Throughout the 1920s, the marque produced a series of automotive innovations that quickly cemented the reputation of the company. Examples include front-wheel drive, independent suspension, the all-synchromesh gearbox, servo-assisted brakes and overhead camshafts. De Freville?s 10/30 side-valve, aluminum cylinder engines were continually upgraded throughout this period, evolving into the overhead valve 12/50 engines that became the basis for the highly successful 12/50, 12/80 and Silver Eagle sports cars of the late 1920s.

In 1927, the six-cylinder, 14.75 engines were introduced by the company. These engines became the basis for a line of luxury and sports cars that were produced from the 1930s up until the outbreak of World War II. These models included the 12/74, introduced in 1928, the Firefly and the Crested Eagle introduced in 1933, and the Silver Crest that came out in 1937. The most famous model to use the six-cylinder, 14.75 engines was the low-slung sports car, first introduced in 1932 as the Speed 20.

The 1932 Speed 20 SA

The Speed 20 SA was introduced in 1932, as an all-new design that focused on performance and delivered. The engine used for the platform was the six-cylinder, 14.75 used in earlier models. It was fitted with three SU carburetors and heavily modified to deliver about 87 horsepower. A four-speed, manual crash gearbox was mounted as a unit with the engine. (The famous synchromesh gearbox would be introduced the following year.)

One improvement was the new double-drop chassis that lowered the center-of-gravity of the car and extended the wheelbase to 10?3?. The front and rear suspension used half-elliptic leaf springs. Another noteworthy feature included a chassis fitted with an advanced centralized lubrication system that delivered oil to moving parts in the suspension system through a network of piping. The mechanically operated brakes used massive 14? drums to provide plenty of stopping power from the car?s maximum speed of 90 miles per hour.

Like many high-end cars of the era, the bodywork and interior of the cars were finished by outside coachbuilders. Many of the Speed 20 SAs were configured as four-door saloons and tourers by such prestigious coachbuilders as Charlesworth and Cross and Ellis. Others were configured as two-door touring or sports saloons, or drophead coupes by Van den Plas, a well-known London coachbuilder.

About 400 of the SA models were produced. Today they are highly prized by collectors.

Source: http://www.wrenches.com/1932-alvis/

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