Alvis Speed 25
{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Alvis 4.3-litre
| image = Bonhams - The Paris Sale 2012 - Alvis 4.3-Litre 'Long Bonnet' Sports Saloon - 1937 - 011.jpg
| caption = Sports coupé
by Mayfair Carriage Co 1937
| type =
| manufacturer = AlvisCars Of 1937. The Times, Wednesday, 26 Aug 1936; pg. 8; Issue 47463
| aka =
| production = 198 built
| model_years = 1937 to 1940
| assembly =
| designer =
| class = Full-size luxury car (F)
| body_style = {{unbulleted list | 4-door sports saloon|chassis only also supplied}}
| layout = front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
| platform =
| related = Alvis Speed 25 3.5-litre
| engine = {{unbulleted list |{{convert|4387|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}}, 92 x 110 mm|Straight-6, Petrol|{{cvt|137|bhp|kW}} @3,600 rpm|31.48 tax horsepower}}
| transmission = single plate clutch, separate 4-speed gearbox all-silent and all-synchromesh, centre change lever, open tubular propeller shaft
with metal joints (arranged in a straight line), spiral bevel fully floating back axle
| propulsion =
| wheelbase = {{unbulleted list |{{convert|127|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}|track {{convert|56|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}}}
| length = {{convert|191|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|70|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| height =
| weight = {{convert|4144|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor =
| successor =
| sp = uk
}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name =Alvis Speed 25 3,5-litre
|image =File:1937-alvis-automobile-archives.jpg
|caption= open two-seater
by Offord & Sons 1937
|aka=
|manufacturer =Alvis
|production =1937–40
|wheelbase ={{unbulleted list |{{convert|123|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}|track {{convert|56|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}}}
|length = {{convert|190|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|70|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|4088|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
|successor =
|predecessor =Alvis Speed 20 3.5-litre
|class =Full-size luxury car (F)
|body_style ={{unbulleted list |4-door sports saloon|4-seater drop head coupé|sports 4-seater|chassis for bespoke body}}
|layout =
|engine ={{unbulleted list |{{convert|3571|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}} 83 x 110 mm|Straight-6 Petrol|{{cvt|106|bhp|kW}} @3,800 rpm| 25.63 tax horsepower}}
| transmission = single plate clutch, separate 4-speed gearbox all-silent and
all-synchromesh, centre change lever, open tubular propeller
shaft with metal joints (arranged in a straight line), spiral bevel fully floating back axle
| sp = uk
}}
The Alvis 4.3-litre and Alvis Speed 25 were British luxury touring cars announced in August 1936 and made until 1940 by Alvis Car and Engineering Company in Coventry. They replaced the Alvis Speed 20 2.8-litre and 3.5-litre.
New engines
The Speed Twenty’s 2.5-litre, 2.8-litre or 3.5-litre engines with four main bearings were replaced in the 4.3-litre and 3.5-litre Speed Twenty-Five with a strengthened newly designed six-cylinder in-line unit now with seven main bearings.
Chassis
The leaf springs at the rear were {{convert|15|in|cm|0}} longer than on the previous model. The brakes had servo assistance.
| File:Alvis 4.3 Litre short chassis van den Plas 4-door tourer Lake Vyrnwy.jpg]] |
Coachwork
Alvis did not make any of the bodies for the Speed 25. The cars were supplied in chassis form and firms such as Cross & Ellis (standard tourer) Charlesworth (standard saloon and Drop Head Coupé) as well as Vanden Plas, Lancefield, Offord and
others would fit open touring or saloon car bodies.
The car was built on a heavy steel chassis with a substantial cross brace. With its sporty low slung aspect, all-synchro gearbox, independent front suspension and servo-assisted brakes, this was a fast, reliable and beautifully made car, although at almost £1000 it was not cheap. The survival rate for what was after all a hand-built car is surprisingly good. Later models featured increased chassis boxing, and to reduce the car’s weight Alvis cut numerous holes in the chassis box sections, which was also a solution tried less successfully earlier in the decade by Mercedes-Benz when confronting the same challenge with their enormously heavy Mercedes-Benz SSKL.
;Minor improvements
Minor improvements to both cars announced at the October 1938 Motor Show included a dual exhaust system said to quieten the engine and improve power output.Cars Of 1939. The Times, Saturday, 1 Oct 1938; pg. 8; Issue 48114.
From the show the press reported the 4.3-litre four-door sports saloon to have "a most imposing front with very large headlamps, fog and pass lights, and post horns."The Motor Show. The Times, Tuesday, 18 Oct 1938; pg. 9; Issue 48128
| A chassis for bespoke bodywork was still listed but a range of standard coachwork was made available. On the standard four-door saloon there were no running boards and the wings were streamlined. The luggage locker was lined in white rubber. Dunlopillo upholstery eased muscular fatigue. The rake of both the driver's seat and its squab were now easily adjustable. There was a system of no-draught ventilation. The double sliding roof might be opened from either back or front seat. There were twin tuned electric horns and twin electric windscreen wipers. The instrument panel included a revolution counter and there were ashtrays and a smoker's companion.
|File:Alvis Speed 25 Saloon Car outside Coventry Transport Museum.jpg, 1939]] |
There were to be only detail changes for 1940Alvis Cars For 1940. The Times, Saturday, 26 Aug 1939; pg. 12; Issue 48394
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Alvis Speed 25}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20220612204753/http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Alvis-4-3-LITRE-Car-Sales-Brochure-1936/111975224431 Alvis 4.3 litre -four door saloon & pillarless saloon by Vanden Plas- sales brochure 1936 (Including prices for fitted raw chassis, Standard Four Door Saloon, and Pillarless Saloon by Vander Plas)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20220615093806/https://www.ebay.nl/itm/Alvis-4-3-litre-brochure-Prospekt-English-language-1936-Mulliner-Vanden-Plas-/182003804170 4.3-litre Pillarless Saloon by Vanden Plas, 4-Door sports saloon by Arthur Mulliner and Alvis Standard 4-Door Saloon- sales brochure September 1936]
- [http://alvisarchive.com/?attachment_id=7135 Alvis archive]