With the arrival of the 4.3-litre in August 1936, the Alvis blood line that began with the first Speed 20 back in 1932 reached its zenith and the succession of sports/touring chassis had steadily established a sound reputation and a loyal following.

Of the 198 examples of the 4.3 that left the Coventry factory before wartime requirements ceased private car production, this is the only chassis ever fitted with this pattern of striking, four-door fully-opening drophead coupé bodywork by Abbey Coachworks.

The six-cylinder OHV engine (92 x 110mm, 4,387cc) has a seven-bearing crankshaft, triple SU carburettors and a 6.25:1 compression ratio, generating a healthy power output of 137bhp.

Period road tests record that the 4.3 Alvis was the first standard British saloon that was genuinely capable of achieving the magic 100mph.

A single-plate clutch is mated to an all-synchromesh, 4-speed, centre-change gearbox, a unit that is generally accepted as the best gearbox ever made before WWII.

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