Case histories

Year of manufacture 1937 Recorded mileage 9203 Asking price £89,950 Vendor Red Triangle, Kenilworth; 01926 864867; www.redtriangle.co.uk

WHEN IT WAS NEW Price £885 Max power 106bhp Max torque n/a 0-50mph 10.4 secs Top speed 97mph Mpg 17

This drophead coupé, one of 62 bodied to this style by Charlesworth out of a production run stretching to 391, is an older restored 3.5-litre that is settling in nicely but still presents well.

It wasn’t restored by Alvis specialist Red Triangle and there’s little paperwork, but since mid-2018 the firm has carried out £7000-worth of work. That has included fitting new front springs and various suspension bushes and pins, engine and gearbox mounts, brake shoes, a driveshaft replacement, propshaft seal, various pipes and hoses, and new carburettor needles and jets, plus sorting out the float chamber cut-off valves.

Red Triangle then serviced the car, including new points and condenser, all so it performs properly on the road. New indicators were fitted, too.

The body is straight and the paint is older and slightly orange-peeled in places, with one or two small cracks and stone-chips, but still looking good overall. The chrome to the radiator shell and headlights is good, with a couple of small dings in the bowls. The tyres are newish Michelin Comforts with plenty of tread. All the wheel spokes sound even when pinged with a pen.

Inside, the leather doesn’t look very old, though there are now a few blemishes in the carpets. The dash timber and door cappings are good, with some small marks in the driver’s door top.

The engine has an electric fan and a newish pair of fuel pumps. Coolant is visible in the top tank, and oil level is good and cleanish, though all cars sold by Red Triangle are serviced again before they leave. It starts easily, with a nice and even tickover. It’s smooth and torquey, as they should be, with 60psi of oil pressure at 2500rpm. The brakes are smooth and pull up straight and, being an Alvis, there’s an all-synchro box – unusual at this vintage – which works well.

It’s not massively expensive; by way of comparison, a 1937 4.3 Short Chassis in similar condition in the same body style but by Vanden Plas, in an uninspiring grey, sold recently at auction for £126,500.

SUMMARY

EXTERIOR

Older finish still presents well

INTERIOR

Settling in nicely

MECHANICALS

Recently fettled, everything works as it should and will be serviced before sale

VALUE ++++++ ,,,,

For Not expensive

Against Colour slightly against it

SHOULD I BUY IT?

If you’re after a quality 1930s tourer that’s sorted, good for nearly a ton, usable and easy to drive, then this is a good place to start