Alvis Speed 25 Vanden Plas Tourer
The Alvis Speed 25 represents the pinnacle of Alvis's pre-war motor car production, a magnificent sporting tourer that stood alongside the best products of Bentley, Lagonda, and Invicta. Produced from 1936 until the outbreak of war halted production in 1940, it combined sophisticated engineering with the finest coachwork to create one of the most desirable British cars of its era.
Alvis of Coventry had established a formidable reputation for building fast, well-engineered sporting cars throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The Speed 25 was the culmination of this tradition, featuring a 3,571 cc overhead-valve inline-six engine with triple SU carburetors producing 110 bhp. This was a remarkable output for a production car of the period, and it gave the Speed 25 genuine 'ton-up' capability — a top speed approaching 100 mph.
The engine was noted for its smoothness, flexibility, and willingness to rev — qualities that made the Speed 25 an accomplished touring car as well as a quick one. The all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox (with the Alvis-patented all-indirect layout) was one of the finest manual transmissions available in any car of the period, with a precise, mechanical action that rewarded skilled driving.
Like most high-quality British cars of this era, the Speed 25 was sold as a rolling chassis to be bodied by the buyer's chosen coachbuilder. Vanden Plas, Charlesworth, Lancefield, and others created a variety of elegant bodies for the Speed 25 chassis, but the Vanden Plas four-door tourer is among the most celebrated. Its sweeping wings, flowing lines, and open-air motoring capability perfectly complemented the car's sporting character.
The Speed 25 chassis was conventional but well-engineered, with a sturdy steel frame, beam front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and servo-assisted mechanical brakes. While not as technically advanced as some contemporaries (notably the independently-sprung Lagonda V12), the Alvis was noted for the quality of its components and the precision of its assembly.
Only 478 Speed 25s were built before war intervened, and the post-war Alvis range — while excellent — was a different proposition. The Speed 25 remains the most desirable pre-war Alvis, sought after by collectors who appreciate its combination of performance, craftsmanship, and the romantic aura of a great British sporting marque from the golden age of motoring.
Provenance and documentation are essential for a car of this age and value. The Alvis Owner Club maintains excellent records and can verify chassis numbers and original coachwork specifications. The engine is well-made and supported with parts through the AOC and specialist suppliers, though some items require specialist machining. Coachwork condition is the most critical and expensive aspect — timber-framed bodies can deteriorate significantly, and restoration requires specialist coachbuilding skills. Check for chassis frame cracks, particularly around spring mounts. The servo-assisted brakes require specialist knowledge to set up correctly. Genuine Vanden Plas-bodied cars are significantly more valuable than other coachwork.
Alvis Speed 25 total production: approximately 478 chassis (1936-1940). Available in several series: SA, SB, SC, and SD, with progressive refinements. Bodies were fitted by various coachbuilders including Vanden Plas, Charlesworth, Lancefield, Cross & Ellis, and Offord. The war brought an abrupt end to production. Post-war Alvis production began with the TA14, a smaller, less sporting car. Many Speed 25s were lost during the war years through requisition, neglect, and scrap drives.