Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[lowdrag]

Anno domini is making life with sports cars more difficult, and more and more I am drawn towards prewar motoring, where speed is of no consequence, and a good saloon can convey me at 50 mph to my destination. No decisions have been made as yet, but I have started scanning various sites and looking at various makes and models. A lot of learning to do! I was recently taken by this car as one example of my train of thought, and since there are so many of you here who are far and away more knowledgeable than I, your opinions would be much valued. I emphasize, this is just the beginning, but please let me know your thoughts:-

https://www.prewarcar.com/310723-original-1939-alvis-speed-25-sc-charlesworth-saloon

[Rick]

You know it makes sense, that looks like a very usable example (the inertia reel belts might have to go though). Alvis are quite well supported I believe, companies such as Red Triangle are out there to help with keeping them on the road.

One of the doors is a slightly different shade of red, but otherwise it looks wonderful and appears to have been kept in good mechanical order, judging by the long trips it has covered.

RJ
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Rick (OCC Admin)
Various 1920s-1960s - Austin, Morris, Commer, Dodge etc.

[mikeC]

Providing you can accept the compromise on performance - a 1930s saloon of 2 1/2 - 3 litres will be well-able to cruise at 55-60mph, but you will notice the lack of acceleration more - I can thoroughly recommend the move. Alvis Speed 20 or 25, Talbot 105, Bentley 3 1/2 or preferably a 4 1/4 or Rolls Royce 20/25 are all well served by specialists, but once put into good order they should prove long-lived and reliable. You should be able to find one that suits you within, say, £50-70k budget - a quick look on 'Classic Cars for Sale' produced 2 Alvis, 1 Talbot, 4 Bentleys and 3 Rolls Royce.
But you are domiciled in France, aren't you, so it might be worth looking at left-hand drive cars such as Delage, Delahaye or Hotchkiss.
A car from the early thirties will be more upright, so easier to enter and exit, later cars will be more stylish, but also probably heavier.
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in the garage: 1931 Austin 7, 1953 Lancia Appia
recently departed: 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

[peter scott]

The Alvis Speed 25 is good choice. I think they had an all synchromesh gearbox which is probably unique for pre-war cars.

From The Motor Sept 1938:

0-50 mph in 10.4 secs, Quarter mile in 20 secs. 30-50 in top 9.2 secs, 40-60 10.3 secs. Top speed 96 mph (70 mph in third) 21.5 mph/1000 rpm.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2½ litre saloon

[Penman]

Hi
I don't know about price differences but Alvis also offered pre-war style post-war.
TA14 described as '37 Speed 25 with disc wheels. or the 6cyl TC21.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Rootes75]

What is the market like for larger pre-war cars in France at the moment?
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1937 Ford 7w
1937 Hillman 80
1946 ERF C.I.5
1947 Hillman Minx
1955 Hillman Minx Mk8
1950 Commer R541

[norustplease]

If you are living in France then a Citroen Traction 15/6 should fit the bill. 6 cylinder, 2.8 litres. Bags of power, comfortable and out handles most other pre-war designs.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1986 Renault 4
1990 Citroen 2CV
Boring Fiat 500X

[Rootes75]

What about something like this, not too far from France either being on Jersey.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Isis-in-very-original-condition-1931/303740555824?hash=item46b8591230:g:QekAAOSwX1xflCaz
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1937 Ford 7w
1937 Hillman 80
1946 ERF C.I.5
1947 Hillman Minx
1955 Hillman Minx Mk8
1950 Commer R541