1938 Alvis 4.3-Litre Short Chassis Concealed Hood Drophead Coupé by Whittingham & Mitchel
- Engine
- 4.3L inline-six OHV, seven-bearing crankshaft, triple carburettors, high-compression, 137 bhp
A 1938 Alvis 4.3-Litre drophead coupé on the short wheelbase chassis, bodied by Whittingham & Mitchel of London in a style unique to this car and likely specified by its first owner. One of only five such drophead coupés on this chassis, it features a fully concealed hood and was originally supplied with a high-compression engine and high axle ratio. Its documented history spans original delivery through wartime storage, a period in the United States, snow-damage repairs, and a comprehensive restoration by marque specialist Red Triangle between 2002 and 2004.
Ownership
- 2022-04-10Auction saleSold £210,000 (≈ $263K)
- 1938-11-01 → 1945Factory deliveryLeslie Edward Martinfull documentation
Wholesale newsagent residing in Addington Park, Surrey; specified bespoke details including brown leather, armrests, radio, and stopwatch. Used the car briefly before storing it throughout the war years.
- → 2000UK-based owners after US return (up to three individuals)partial documentation
Following repatriation from the USA the car passed through as many as three further UK owners prior to the current vendor; individual identities not stated in the prose.
- 2000-05-01 →AuctionCurrent vendorfull documentation
Commissioned a full restoration by Red Triangle of Kenilworth between 2002 and 2004, with ongoing specialist maintenance thereafter; compiled an extensively researched ownership history running to several thousand words.
- Date unknownSir John Venables-Llewellyn, Btpartial documentation
Employed the car during 1973 as a tow vehicle for his ERA racing car; noted issues with brake performance and a tendency for fuel to drip onto the exhaust causing fires.
- Date unknownDavid Van Schaickpartial documentation
Pennsylvania-based owner during part of the car's time in the USA across the 1980s and 1990s; a snow-induced barn collapse on 13 January 1996 crushed the car among several others, requiring substantial repair work.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1996Repair
Extensive bodywork and structural repairs required after the car barn housing the vehicle collapsed under snow, causing significant crush damage.
Damage occurred at the Pennsylvania premises of David Van Schaick.
- 2002RestorationRed Triangle
Full restoration carried out by marque specialists, completed over approximately two years; invoices retained on file.
Red Triangle are based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire; restoration ran from 2002 to 2004.
- 2009ModificationRed Triangle
Overdrive unit fitted to the transmission.
Documented by a Red Triangle invoice on file.
- 2010Engine rebuildRed Triangle
Replacement crankshaft and connecting-rod set installed.
Documented by a Red Triangle invoice on file.
- 2012MechanicalRed Triangle
New Alfin brake drums fitted.
Documented by a Red Triangle invoice on file.
- 2015Engine rebuildRed Triangle
Engine overhauled.
Documented by a Red Triangle invoice on file.
- 2018MechanicalRed Triangle
New Blockley tyres fitted.
Documented by a Red Triangle invoice on file.
- —Maintenance
Period-correct replacement items fitted for the stopwatch, adjustable armrests, and Phillips radio, which were absent at the time of the current vendor's purchase.
Carried out after the May 2000 acquisition; exact date not specified.
- —ModificationRed Triangle
Overdrive unit and electronic speedometer added; both concealed discreetly. Supplementary engine cooling fans fitted in a removable configuration.
Overdrive installation is separately documented as a 2009 Red Triangle invoice item.
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