Car Alvis Speed 20 SD 1936 for sale

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A Proper Sporting Touring Special

An Alvis Speed 20 SD chassis, genuine period Vanden Plas coachwork and a potent 4.3-litre straight-six make a compelling combination. Add the knowledge and enthusiasm of the late Albert Sparrowhawk, and the result is a pre-war sports tourer with a character very much its own.

At Tom Hardman Limited, we enjoy cars with an interesting story, thoughtful engineering and, above all, something special to offer from behind the wheel. DMX 829 brings those qualities together rather well. Handsome, individual and decidedly sporting, this is a car whose appeal extends well beyond its appearance.

From Saloon to Sparrowhawk VDP Tourer

DMX 829 began life rather differently. The Alvis Archive records its dispatch on 18 June 1936 as a Speed 20 SD with Charlesworth saloon coachwork.

Little is known of its earliest years, but by 1965 it was advertised in the Alvis Owner Club magazine for £90. At that point, it was said to have had two previous owners and was described as rough, but with a “super engine”. Following a lengthy period in storage, the saloon body had deteriorated beyond use, leaving a rolling chassis. By 1999, it was again offered to club members, this time for £9,000.

The next chapter belonged to Albert Sparrowhawk. A gifted builder and spirited racing driver, well known in Alvis circles, Sparrowhawk understood how to extract the best from these cars. He undertook a comprehensive rebuild, fitting genuine Vanden Plas tourer coachwork previously carried by Bentley chassis RC44, a car he had also owned.

This is an important distinction: This body is authentic period coachwork, not a modern reproduction, although it was fitted to the Alvis later in its life. It is understood to be one of five Vanden Plas tourer bodies supplied for Bentley’s six RC-series 4½-litre cars, giving this special a particularly interesting coachbuilding pedigree and back story.

4.3-Litre Performance and Careful Preparation

The specification combines the highly desirable Alvis 4.3-litre straight-six with a four-speed, fully synchromesh gearbox and pedals arranged in the familiar modern layout. The emphasis is on making the car both rewarding and straightforward to drive.

The engine has been carefully rebuilt using high-compression pistons and high-quality bearings, retaining Sparrowhawk’s established state of tune. Approximately £30,000 has been spent on the car since 2018, and the engine is now run in, having covered around 1,600 miles since its rebuild.

On the road, the big six provides a wonderfully lusty character and a pleasing sporting exhaust note. The synchromesh gearbox makes enthusiastic driving a pleasure, while the notably tall gearing adds to its appeal over longer distances. There is plenty here to entertain the keen driver without making every journey hard work.

That balance is central to this car’s attraction. It offers the sound, presence and involvement of a pre-war sporting tourer, with a specification that encourages you to use it, as well and a strong spares package and enthusiastic car club.

Character, Condition and the Open Road

The paintwork and leather upholstery have mellowed attractively, while the aluminium bodywork and timber framing remain in excellent condition. The hood and weather equipment have also acquired a pleasing, gently aged appearance.

There are cosmetic details that could be improved. The front bumper, for example, would benefit from re-chroming. We would rather acknowledge these points than describe the car as flawless. Its appeal lies in the combination of period craftsmanship, mechanical preparation and the enjoyment it offers on the road.

DMX 829 is accompanied by a previous VSCC eligibility document, a buff logbook dating back to 1961 and a comprehensive history file.

It is the sort of car you would be delighted to see—and hear—on the Flying Scotsman, or picture heading across the Continent with a worthwhile distance to cover before supper. Distinctive coachwork, an engaging history and proper six-cylinder performance make this a particularly appealing proposition for the enthusiast who intends to drive.

For further details or to arrange a viewing, please contact Tom Hardman Limited.

1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD 4.3-Litre Special Sports Tourer

1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD 4.3-Litre Special Sports Tourer

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