The following galleries contain production data of the Speed 20 types SC and SD from the Model Registers published in the 1980s. Click on any photo to start a gallery.
The Speed 20 SC Gallery (289 built)
1934 Advert Speed 20 SC Register11892 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas Tourer11892 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas Tourer11892 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas Tourer11918 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas BLF 77711918 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas BLF 77711923 Speed 20 SC Charlesworth WS 24861-39-211924 Speed 20 SC 5-62-1 YS 22 5-62-1 11926 Speed 20 SC BLX 2771-41-2 NJS says Charles Follett’s old racing SC VDP – may be seen in various publications, usually on Brooklands track11926 Speed 20 SC BLX 277 1-41-311926 Speed 20 SC BLX 277 1-41-111928 Speed 20 SC BYF 322 2-2711928 Speed 20 SC “before”11928 Speed 20 SC BYF 322 2-2711928 Speed 20 SC BYF 322 2-2711928 Speed 20 SC BYF 322 2-2711928 Speed 20 SC BYF 322 2-2711928 Speed 20 SC “after” with 4.3 engine11928 Speed 20 SC 11928 Speed 20 SC 11939 Speed 20 SC BUV 27611929 Speed 20 SC Charlesworth11950 Speed 20 SC ARB 849 2-78-311950 Speed 20 SC ARB 849 2-77-311954 Speed 20 SC 5-73-3 BLU 36011978 Speed 20 SC Charlesworth Dhc Daniel Fischlin11990 WP 7792 – last heard of in Stroud in 1967. Simon Merriot writes This was my Grandfather’s car which I believe my Father sold the car around the time I was born – I imagine the funds were more useful than the car at that point and my Father was much more interested in his Tourer. I believe the car was owned by a VSCC member into the ’70’s but this is a distant recollection. It would be nice to think having survived that long that at least parts of it might still be around. Prior to buying his Tourer (AXE 635) Dad had a 1934 SB saloon which had been fitted with a 5.2:1 diff. The subsequent owner did not account for that and over-worked it to the point that it ended its days at Clink’s place shortly afterwards. The engine from that car subsequently went into AXE.11990 WP 7792 Speed 20 SC Charlesworth with the Merriott family until 1967 on the 1954 Kentish Rally slow climb near Knockholt. W J Merriot 4-15-111990 WP 7792 4-11-312012 Wayne Brooks writes “Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas 3291 Dhc 11954 12043 16846. It is believed that engine 12462, with the car plate 17071, from chassis 12012, once did service in chassis 11954, when it was with Tom Airey 421 SE an early AOC Spares Registrar. He identified the car by the Car number 17071, which caused the confusion.
I suspect photos 1-41-4 & 1-41-5 were taken circa late 1970s when it was with J. H. Cole of 814 Tuckahoe Drive, Madison, TN 37115 USA. He later had the car painted yellow with black wings. I examined the car when it was with Rudy Tell of 171 Laurel Springs Road, Cosby, TN 37722 USA. The Vanden Plas body number 3921 is on the wood framing of the doors and on the back of the original dash board. At that time it carried Speed 20 SC engine 12526 with car plate 17263 from chassis 12076.
1-41-412012 BLU 360 Wayne Brooks writes “Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas 3291 Dhc 11954 12043 16846. It is believed that engine 12462, with the car plate 17071, from chassis 12012, once did service in chassis 11954, when it was with Tom Airey 421 SE an early AOC Spares Registrar. He identified the car by the Car number 17071, which caused the confusion.
I suspect photos 1-41-4 & 1-41-5 were taken circa late 1970s when it was with J. H. Cole of 814 Tuckahoe Drive, Madison, TN 37115 USA. He later had the car painted yellow with black wings. I examined the car when it was with Rudy Tell of 171 Laurel Springs Road, Cosby, TN 37722 USA. The Vanden Plas body number 3921 is on the wood framing of the doors and on the back of the original dash board. At that time it carried Speed 20 SC engine 12526 with car plate 17263 from chassis 12076.” 1-41-51201412041 interior12014 SC Speed 20
Car No. 17158
Charlesworth body No. 13400135
It occurred to me that not many people around here (Australia) would know how these boots were originally lined, as most here, now seem to now be carpeted. So I thought a copy of what originaly lined the boot should be kept, as these remnants won’t be around much longer as I have just re-done my boot and no longer need them.
If I was looking for this information then this is what I would like to see. I hate throwing away historic evidence. Photo and caption: Paul Bamford
1201412014 Speed 20 SC Car No. 17158 Charlesworth body No. 13400135 boot with original footman loops for luggage
It occurred to me that not many people around here (Australia) would know how these boots were originally lined, as most here, now seem to now be carpeted. So I thought a copy of what originaly lined the boot should be kept, as these remnants won’t be around much longer as I have just re-done my boot and no longer need them.
If I was looking for this information then this is what I would like to see. I hate throwing away historic evidence. Photo and caption Paul Bamford
12031 Speed 20 SC BNU 409 1-45-112026 Speed 20 SC Mayfair Dhc JW 7000 1-40-112050 Speed 20SC BVX 91 – AAT Fox Collection12054 Speed 20 SC CEV 514 1-46-212054 Speed 20 SC CEV 514 1-46-112057 Speed 20 SC Charlesworth DHC body AVE 98 – where is it now? Where was it then?12067 Speed 20 SC BKP 564 1-46-412067 Speed 20 SC BKP 564 1-46-31206712067120671206712067120671206712067120671206712067120671206712067120671206712071 Speed 20 SC KY 9898 1-45-212071 Speed 20 SC KY 9898 2-11-112071 Speed 20 SC KY 9898 2-11-212071 Speed 20 SC KY 9898 2-81-1
12071 Speed 20 SC KY 9898 2-11-312079 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas Dhc Design 1119 photos Maurice Richardson (1979- ) BXL 83512120 Speed 20 02041987 Birdwood Mill Museum S A Interstate Rally12128 Speed 20 SC BYW 965 1-42-112128 1-42-212128 1-42-312128 1-42-412128 Speed 20 SC Vanden Plas tourer, with Jaguar 3.4 engine in USA12132 – engine 12582 – CAR 17442, DISPATCHED ON MAY 15TH 1935 REGISTERED AT THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL ON JULY 1ST 1935 BY “CHARLES FOLLETT” ON BEHALF OF ITS FIRST OWNER MR J.B.T.COLLINS OF CHESHAM
12132 – engine 12582 – CAR 17442, DISPATCHED ON MAY 15TH 1935 REGISTERED AT THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL ON JULY 1ST 1935 BY “CHARLES FOLLETT” ON BEHALF OF ITS FIRST OWNER MR J.B.T.COLLINS OF CHESHAM – A rare Mayfair bodied saloon for auction on 29th June in Scotland
12737 – 1935 Speed 20SC Charlesworth Dhc – last known in Belgium – photo AAT Sanders collection12769 Speed 20 SC BWB 950 1-40-212769 Speed 20 SC BWB 850 1-12-212772 Speed 20 SC GY 7177 at the Alvis Works 1965
The Speed 20 SD Gallery (149 built)
Speed 20 SD Register12779 Speed 20 SD Van Vooren – see PPS page for an article by Dave Culshaw12986 Speed 20 SD YS 4049 4-61-1 Crystal Palace 195812991 Speed 20 SD Vanden Plas CRW 80412994 Speed 20 SD CXM 97 2-39-113013 Speed 20 SD CLT 472 1-47-313020 Speed 20 SD CLF 393 1-45-313052 Speed 20 SD FR 3922 (CNE 41) in Aubonne AAT Fox Collection13036 1936 Speed 20 SD some time ago….13052 Speed 20 SD CNE 41 (FR 3922)13056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 892 1-48-213036 now in Germany – It was registered first 1936 CUC 118 and in Germany GT CU 118 H
(GT stands for the County and H means Historical Car) – owned since 2008 by Ulrich Brinkmann.13056 Speed 20 SD CTU 892 1-48-113056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 89213056 Speed 20 SD CTU 892 big end13056 Speed 20 SD CTU 892 near side rear hub13056 Speed 20 SD CTU 892 near side rear hub13066 Speed 20 SD 5-73-1 DNW 93813066 Speed 20SD DNW 938 5-73-2core plugsSilent travel door locks component parts without rubber insertsSilent travel door locks component parts without rubber insertsJelly Mould refers to the corrugated wheel centre as opposed to the splines used on post war cars with wire wheels13073 Speed 20 SD BRW 40 1-47-213079 Speed 20 William Arnold CNE 952 2-35-113079 Speed 20 William Arnold CNE 952 2-35-313079 Speed 20 William Arnold CNE 952 2-35-213082 Speed 20 SD Vanden Plas HF 596413085 Speed 20SD BWK 778 by the AAT corner at the NEC in 2012. Originally with
Charlesworth saloon coachwork in March 1936 delivered to Messrs. Hartwell in grey with grey upholstery. 2762cc 87 bhp 30cwt capable of 80mph. By 1986 it required serious rebuilding, especially The ash frame. It languished “sans body” until it changed hands when a new body was constructed by MGM Coachbuilding in Suffolk formed by Classic Metal Shaping of Harwich. In 2001 it changed hands again and was finished off next owner who sold the car at Auction in 2004. The car was purchased by the next owner in 2007 who made additions of overdrive and hood bag and tonneau. Overdrive allows comfortable cruising at 65/70mph at well under 3000rpm. Sold to a new owner in 2013 and for sale again in 2014.
13304 Speed 20 SD DGW 600 1-47-1 13304 Speed 20 SD DGW 638 at 1957 AGM 3-5-213313 Speed 20 SD BWK 779 Charlesworth13313 BWK 77913318 Speed 20 SD Charlesworth Dhc (25 engine) Steve Horne SEAD 200213313 Speed 20 SD Charlesworth BWK 779 – July 2021
The 3½ Litre or Model SA25.63 has its own page, click here The 3½ litre introduced at the 1935 Motor Show for the 1936 season. The chassis was effectively an Speed 20 SD stretched to 10′ 7″ wheelbase but retaining the Speed 20 SD back springs (which were lengthened by a foot when the Speed 25 came along) and adding a solid floor plate filling the area between the gearbox and the batteries.
The engine (later used for the Speed 25) similarly looks like a stretched Speed 20 unit, with a 7-bearing crank, looking back to that model by not having a thermostat and bypass.
My father was the owner of AYH577 in the 1950’s.A Lancefield Parallite Saloon. (one off I beleive) Chassis number was 11263.If any one has any information on this car I would be really gratefull)
The Speed 20SB Master Database contains some photographs of this unique Alvis and two interesting letters. One, dated 17/12/84, is from the son of the first owner, Mr Joseph Lister, while the other, dated 17/5/94, is from David Sweetman’s father Mr T. McC Sweetman, who states that he sold the car in 1952. Unfortunately the vehicle has not been seen or heard of since the late 50s/early 60s and there is circumstantial evidence (its engine appeared in another car) that it was broken up about that time.
The late Nick Walker wrote about the car and the detective work behind its identification in an article in Bulletin No 450 March/April 1998.
There is a photograph of the car in the Speed 20 SB Register. We can supply a copy of the Register if you send an email to alvisarchive@btinternet.com with your details.
Dear Peter Sedgwick, My 1934 Speed Twenty SB will be on the road very soon. Can you send me the details of how I can add it to the Speed Twenty Registry?
I was amazed to see the pic of me and GY 3986 SA Speed 20. It must have been taken at Perton Sprint in the mid 70 ‘s. GY was my first Speed model after several 12/50’s and my late wife Sue and I toured Cornwall in it in company with the late David James and his wife accompanied by children and my black Lab Wellington. Great days.
Hello, has anyone got any record of a speed 25 EYP 931, chassis 19492, engine no. 15064. It was owned by my grandfather in the 50’s in Cornwall and I’m curious if it is still around. Thanks
I show Speed 25 SC Charlesworth 14485 Drophead Coupé, chassis 14580, engine 15064, car 19492, EYP 331, despatrched from the Alvis Works on 18 May 1938, with AOC member 1700 SW, Capt. E. G. Pilgrim, Park House, Tregony, Cornwall in the late 1950s. The following ad appeared in AOC Bulletin 86, September 1960: 1938 Speed 25 drophead by Charlesworth in original turquoise and black. New silencer and 4 new tyres. Purchaser should have £50 to spare for new hood and minor renovations: the old lady deserves it. £100 o.n.o. Pilgrim, Park House, Tregony, Cornwall.
Unfortunately, I have no information since. Wayne Brooks, waynealvis@aol.com
I am trying to trace my fathers Alvis speed 20 SC Reg no ARB849 chassis 11928. was maroon with cycle wings. last believed to have been exported to USA in late 1980’s – any information please?
My late Dad was a previous owner of the Speed 20 DHC – CLT 472 which he lovingly restored almost 20 yrs ago now. I remember he had to seek approval from Alvis that the paint he wanted to use was an exact match, amongst other precious memories. This car was always his pride and joy, even when he sold it. I’d love to know where it is now and i’m sure it is someone else’s pride & joy now.
Our records show George McManus as an AOC member from 2005 and at least two further owners since then, the last known one in 2017 in Hertfordshire but not a current member.
Alvis Archive 
My father was the owner of AYH577 in the 1950’s.A Lancefield Parallite Saloon. (one off I beleive) Chassis number was 11263.If any one has any information on this car I would be really gratefull)
The Speed 20SB Master Database contains some photographs of this unique Alvis and two interesting letters. One, dated 17/12/84, is from the son of the first owner, Mr Joseph Lister, while the other, dated 17/5/94, is from David Sweetman’s father Mr T. McC Sweetman, who states that he sold the car in 1952. Unfortunately the vehicle has not been seen or heard of since the late 50s/early 60s and there is circumstantial evidence (its engine appeared in another car) that it was broken up about that time.
The late Nick Walker wrote about the car and the detective work behind its identification in an article in Bulletin No 450 March/April 1998.
There is a photograph of the car in the Speed 20 SB Register. We can supply a copy of the Register if you send an email to alvisarchive@btinternet.com with your details.
Thank you for this information.it is much appreciated.
Dear Peter Sedgwick, My 1934 Speed Twenty SB will be on the road very soon. Can you send me the details of how I can add it to the Speed Twenty Registry?
I was amazed to see the pic of me and GY 3986 SA Speed 20. It must have been taken at Perton Sprint in the mid 70 ‘s. GY was my first Speed model after several 12/50’s and my late wife Sue and I toured Cornwall in it in company with the late David James and his wife accompanied by children and my black Lab Wellington. Great days.
Hello, has anyone got any record of a speed 25 EYP 931, chassis 19492, engine no. 15064. It was owned by my grandfather in the 50’s in Cornwall and I’m curious if it is still around. Thanks
I show Speed 25 SC Charlesworth 14485 Drophead Coupé, chassis 14580, engine 15064, car 19492, EYP 331, despatrched from the Alvis Works on 18 May 1938, with AOC member 1700 SW, Capt. E. G. Pilgrim, Park House, Tregony, Cornwall in the late 1950s. The following ad appeared in AOC Bulletin 86, September 1960: 1938 Speed 25 drophead by Charlesworth in original turquoise and black. New silencer and 4 new tyres. Purchaser should have £50 to spare for new hood and minor renovations: the old lady deserves it. £100 o.n.o. Pilgrim, Park House, Tregony, Cornwall.
Unfortunately, I have no information since. Wayne Brooks, waynealvis@aol.com
I am trying to trace my fathers Alvis speed 20 SC Reg no ARB849 chassis 11928. was maroon with cycle wings. last believed to have been exported to USA in late 1980’s – any information please?
The last recorded owner we have for ARB 849 was Mr Briggs but chassis 11928 is a different car. We will enquire further.
Re SC20 11926 caption above:- I was mistaken – the correct Follett SC20 sports was 11960/BLX272.
My late Dad was a previous owner of the Speed 20 DHC – CLT 472 which he lovingly restored almost 20 yrs ago now. I remember he had to seek approval from Alvis that the paint he wanted to use was an exact match, amongst other precious memories. This car was always his pride and joy, even when he sold it. I’d love to know where it is now and i’m sure it is someone else’s pride & joy now.
Our records show George McManus as an AOC member from 2005 and at least two further owners since then, the last known one in 2017 in Hertfordshire but not a current member.
Thanks for postiing this