1937 Alvis Speed Twenty-Five SB drophead coupé by E. Bertelli
The sole Alvis Speed Twenty-Five SB fitted with a parallel-door drophead coupé body, this car was constructed by E. Bertelli of Farnham under George Wenham's patent and featured in The Autocar in April 1937. Delivered new to a Liverpool shipping heir who later died on active service in World War II, the car subsequently passed through several British and American owners before returning to Europe. A comprehensive restoration by Red Triangle of Kenilworth returned it to original specification.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$112,000
- 1937 →Factory deliveryArthur Bickerstaffe Woodspartial documentation
Liverpool shipping heir and former Cambridge medical student who later worked as an actor and documentary film director; a photograph of him with the car is held in the file. He joined the Royal Navy and was killed in the war, ending his ownership.
- 1945 →Acquisition unknownJ.B. Moorpartial documentation
Based in Hellidon, England; received the car following the original owner's wartime death.
- 1957 →Acquisition unknownEdwin Keeblepartial documentation
One of the car's American owners after its transatlantic transfer.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHosiery manufacturer from Leicesterpartial documentation
Subsequent English owner before the car moved to the United States.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWilliam Abbottpartial documentation
Prominent early Classic Car Club of America member based in Alton, Illinois.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent European connoisseur and Alvis supporterpartial documentation
Acquired the car after it re-emerged in Europe following a period of obscurity in the 1970s; commissioned a full restoration by Red Triangle of Kenilworth to original specification.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationRed Triangle
Full restoration to original specification and appearance, carried out by leading Alvis specialists.
Restoration was comprehensive and aimed at returning the car precisely to its as-delivered condition.
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