Alvis Speed 20 SB Tourer, 1933

The Alvis Speed Twenty was built between the years 1932 and 1936; type SA in '32-'33, type SB in '34, type SC in '35 and finally type SD in '36.
The Speed 20 SA and SB were equipped with the Alvis 2511cc. six-cylinder "Silver Eagle" engine. The SC and SD types were enlarged to 2762 cc. The engine was equipped with an overhead camshaft and overhead valves and three S.U. carburetors. The Alvis Speed 20 was equipped with powerful mechanical drum-brakes and independent front-wheel suspension. Starting with the Speed 20 SB the car was upgraded with a fully synchronized four-speed gearbox. 375 SB chassis were built of which 127 are known to survive.

Technical data

Six-cylinder engine (OHV)
cylinder capacity: 2511 cc.
induction: 3 SU carburettors
capacity: 87 bhp. at 4000 rpm.
top-speed: 89 mph. - 142 km/h.
gearbox: 4-speed manual (fully synchronized)
brakes: cable operated drum brakes all round
weight: 27 cwt - 1371 kg. (tourer)

*Source: The Story of the Red Triangle

Alvis history

Alvis was founded by Thomas George John and G.P. de Freville. The first cars built under the Alvis name were manufactured in 1920, and the last Alvis (sports) cars came out of the factory in Coventry 47 years later. The ending of the brand name Alvis was sealed when it was incorporated into the British Leyland concern, where it became part of Rover.

The Alvis cars were of great quality and workmanship and were very fast as well. As for their cars, many parts were designed and manufactured by Alvis’ own staff, and production was small-scaled and exclusive. In the 1920s, Alvis was the first British car model to experiment with four-wheel drive. In fact, in 1925, they even manufactured sports and racing cars equipped with front-wheel drive, which had also been fitted with an overhead camshaft.

^{© Marc Vorgers}