Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[badhuis]

One of the most desirable saloons of the late 30s, an Alvis Speed 20.
Humbert & Ellis have two on their auction which close on July 27.



This car has a guide price of GBP4,000 - 6,000. Are they missing a zero? Seems very low to me especially when reading the description:

[Rootes75]

A 'Come and get me' estimate...
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

[ukdave2002]

Pre war prices are so unpredictable at the moment

[Ray White]

I saw that and told Jean I had found "the one".

She quite rightly suggested it was an unrealistic figure and I agreed.

IF ONLY!!

My neighbour and long time friend would be green with envy if I bought that one to do up. He is a dyed in the wool Alvis guy and has a lovely 12/50 tourer that he shows.

BTW would that be Cross and Ellis coachwork?

...or perhaps by Charlesworth. The dismantled car used to have a Charlesworth body ...but it has long gone.

[alastairq]

I don't suppose the mention of ''asbestos'' in the padding has anything to do with the reluctance of bidders?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

[Ray White]

[badhuis]

10 kilometers away from where I grew up was a factory that used asbestos to make heat shields. You would find these shields in chimneys and around central heating. Also large sheets of asbestos plates were used in houses, beneath roofing tiles. Plus of course the corrugated sheets for farmer sheds.
Farmers around the factory could pick up broken asbestos sheets for free, these were then hammered down into little particles and these were used to harden pathways and roads. Many roads in our area were light gray in colour, these contained the asbestos.
I slept for four years in my little attick room, asbestos plates covered roof from the inside.

But, in use in houses and for sheds, these asbestos building materials were not that dangerous. As long they were not broken or too rough cleaned (sanded).
30 years ago I made the mistake of hard-brushing the moss covered asbestos roof of the garage I had. It was a dusty business.... After cleaning I realised that maybe that was not the best idea, and not one to repeat! Roof is long gone now, removed by a specialised company.

My family has no one who has negatives health issues regarding the asbestos, maybe we are lucky!
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[alastairq]

Re- the asbestos noted in the Alvis? I think a lot of folk will be put off by the sheer costs involved, of disposing of any of the stuff, so stringent are today's regulations in the UK.
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[ukdave2002]

We can dispose of asbestos at our local council tip, you have to book in advance , they have a locked sealed skip, but its really only for sheets or solid bits of asbestos. What would worry me about this car is that is that sound deadening is not solid like brake or clutch linings, so more likely that dust or small fibres that could be inhaled.

My father knew a garage owner who's son died from asbestosis, they reckoned it was from blowing dust out of brake drums , the father had had far more exposure than the son, I suppose a bit like smoking some people get away with it.

Nasty stuff, you can see why it would put bidders off, does make me wonder what other vehicles have it but know one is aware ?

[Ray White]