Alvis Speed 20
| Alvis Speed 20 | |
|---|---|
1933 Speed 20 SA sports 4-seater by Vanden Plas
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alvis |
| Production |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Width | 65 in (1,651 mm) SA 66.5 in (1,689 mm) SB-SD |
| Kerb weight | 3,528 lb (1,600 kg) (4-door sports saloon) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Alvis Silver Eagle |
| Successor | Alvis Speed 25 |
| Speed Twenty and 3½-litre | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
1935 Speed Twenty SC
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alvis |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | straight-six |
| Displacement |
|
| Cylinder bore |
|
| Piston stroke |
|
| Cylinder block alloy | 4-bearing balanced crankshaft with torsional vibration damper |
| Cylinder head alloy | alloy pistons |
| Valvetrain | pushrod overhead valves camshaft drive by duplex chain patented multiple valve springs |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | 3 SU carburettors supplied by double petrolift hotspot and dual ignition |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Oil system | forced lubrication to main and big end bearings, rockers and pushrods |
| Cooling system | water, thermostatic radiator shutters, centrifugal pump |
| Output | |
| Power output |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Silver Eagle |
The Alvis Speed 20 is a British touring car that was made between late 1931 and 1936 by Alvis Car and Engineering Company in Coventry. It went through four variants coded SA to SD.
In October 1935 the Speed 20 was supplemented by a 3½-litre car initially sold alongside their Speed 20 SD and named 3½-litre SA. After their Speed 20 was dropped from their catalogue the 3½-litre car was given a shorter wheelbase and named Speed 25 SB.
The car could be fitted with a variety of coachwork. Standard bodies were a four-door sports saloon from coachbuilders Charlesworth, a four-seater sports coupé or four-door tourer by Cross & Ellis, but some cars were supplied in chassis form and carried bodies by coachbuilders such as Vanden Plas.
Approximately 400 of the SA cars were made.
The SB launched at the October 1933 London Motor Show had a new cruciform braced chassis, slightly longer at 124 in (3,150 mm), with independent front suspension using a single transverse leaf spring with a long solid anchorage in the centre. Steering was improved using new designs employed for racing Alvis cars since 1925. Road shocks were not transmitted from one wheel to the other nor did they affect the steering wheel and the gyroscopic effect was eliminated. Rear springs damped by Hartford Telecontrol dampers are long and underslung. The engine remained the same but the new all-silent gearbox, the first of its type, gained synchromesh on bottom gear and was mounted separately from the engine. A built-in jacking system was fitted as standard.
As with the SA, a wide range of bodies were fitted to the cars. Large Lucas 12 in (305 mm) P100 headlamps became standard, adding to the sporting appearance of the car.
The Times motoring correspondent tested and after describing its technical features in detail reviewed the car. Salient comments have been summarised as follows. The four-seater saloon was described as "distinctly fast in acceleration and speed" with a comfortable body such that a passer-by looks twice at it. A third person could be squeezed into the back seat. The four windows in the four doors allowed a good view all round. It was noted that each front wheel was independently steered and sprung in the manner introduced on the Alvis Crested Eagle and used on Alvis's racing cars since 1925, the aim being to provide good directional stability, road-holding and comfort.
The steering and suspension was a star feature, the steering action exceptionally steady and light. The car does not heel or roll and there is little wheel bounce. The best speeds on second and third gears were 48 and 68 mph, 90 mph should be possible in top. Providing on the road such rapid acceleration and high rates the engine ran fairly quietly and with smoothness yet displaying exuberant spirits. The action of clutch and new gear change was pleasing.
...
Wikipedia