When people see a derelict example of a car they like, it immediately fires their imagination in one of two ways : either to give the old girl a bare-chassis rebuild, or confine their work to a mechanical refurbishment and lovingly retain as much patina as possible.
There is just such a car in Brightwell's sale being held tomorrow in Herefordshire - a 1933 Alvis Speed 20 SA Vanden Plas Tourer which has just emerged from a long period of dry storage. Described as complete but needing a major restoration, we shall be interested to see which direction the new owner takes.
Undoubtedly one of the finest cars available during the early 1930s, the glamorous Alvis Speed 20 embodied the latest fashion for long bonnets and low flowing coachwork and the instruction manual captures the spirit of the time..."The genius who designed it, the men who built it are proud of your car. It is the child of their brains ... you will be able to speed unchecked, the long day through, glorying in the swift acceleration and wonderful hill-climbing ... take care of it."
The second owner took it with him to Nigeria and wrote an article entitled 'Fast work in Africa' where he recalls a rapid cross country trip mostly on gravelled roads at speeds of 90mph.
If you prefer a Speed 20 that's ready to go, then there is this restored 1933 example estimated at a slightly higher price, and if you really cannot resist barn finds needing major major restorations, then have a look at this Swift, or this 1933 Morris Cowley Six or even this 1923 Fiat 501C which , when new, was described as "a car of unusual silence and refinement " ... "there was a balance and quality about the design that has caused it to be considered one of the most pleasing small family cars ever made, particularly in its steering and brakes"
Whether you buy by sight,by advertiser's description or by the motoring press, be ready for it to engage your emotions - and your wallet.
Text Robin Batchelor, pictures courtesy Brightwells Auctioneers.