Description
1939 Alvis 4. 3 Dry Sump Special For Sale
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a well built 4. 3 Alvis special that is powerful, comfortable and long legged suitable for fast road work or touring with its 3. 8 differential gearing.
Speed 25 chassis No. 14660 was dispatched from the Alvis works on 28 April 1939 with registration SN 9433. The wheelbase is now 9' 4'' and the car is well balanced, quick and a joy to drive. The instruments and bonnet sides are 4. 3, not Speed 25.
The entire chassis was completely renovated during restoration with all parts renewed as required. The chassis side members forward of the bulkhead have been steel plated/ welded to form box sections for additional rigidity.
4. 3 engine No. M16893 is an original Alvis dry sump unit designed for the Alvis Straussler Armoured Car. The sump and crankcase are different to the standard 4. 3 engine and the oil pump consists of 2 scavenge and 1 feed pumps. Oil is pumped via a full flow spin-off filter and the custom made large capacity oil tank incorporates an electric heating element to enable pre-start heating of the oil in colder months (mains electric). An electric radiator fan and adjustable thermostat are also fitted.
The engine is now mated with a standard bellhousing and gearbox to fit directly into the chassis without modification and the original very heavy 12" clutch and flywheel assembly have been replaced with a 9" diaphragm clutch and lightened flywheel. The engine was totally rebuilt with all new bearings, higher compression forged Arias pistons and a viscous crankshaft damper. It has done very little mileage since being rebuilt in 2018 and is probably still running in.
Three tool boxes (two under the seats and a third in the rear section) provide good out of sight storage for tools etc). The zipped rear tonneau allows good luggage space for touring.
The car is road registered in the UK and has not previously been offered for sale. It can be viewed by appointment in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey.
