1938 Alvis 4.3L Saloon

This fine vehicle was, we believe, delivered new to a Mrs Katherine Anne Freebody of Twyford, Berkshire. 

On 28th April 1954, it was registered to its second owner, a resident of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

The vendor today is the second owner’s son, to whom the car was bequeathed and entrusted upon the death of his father in 1991.

The car had been stored in a barn from 1960 until 1990, at which point the vendor began a process of restoration (starting by stripping the car down to its chassis), rebuilding and refurbishment which has lasted until the present day. 

Although restored, the car retains much originality and the vendor has clearly taken the time and trouble to ensure that all and any restorative work was carried out with due sensitivity and consideration for the car’s venerable age and enduring authenticity.

The car’s long, low stance gives it something of a rakish air compared to the more boxy and upright offerings of the era.

Thanks must be given, then, to the Coventry company of Charlesworth Bodies, who did a fine job of dressing Alvis’ excellent chassis and mechanicals in such elegant and aesthetically pleasing coachwork.

It is a joy to behold and presents exceptionally well from every angle.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent with what you would hope and expect to find on a high-quality coach-built car from the 1930s.

The brightwork is shiny and devoid of any foxing, pitting, tarnishing or other aberrations of note that we can see.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all look to be in good order, as far as we can tell.

The black-painted wire wheels are in equally fine fettle and are shod in rubber that looks to have a good deal of life left in it.

Although much of the paintwork has retained a good deal of shine and lustre, it’s not perfect and there are a few minor cosmetic issues to consider.

There are some scratches and scuffs at the top of the offside ‘A’ pillar where it meets the roof, and there are cracks to the paint at the base of both ‘A’ pillars.

There’s also some chipped and scuffed paint in the roof gutter above the o/s/f window and a long-ish scratch on the bodywork between the bonnet and the windscreen.

We noticed some cracks and splits to the paint on the n/s/f wheel-arch and there are a few scratches to the glass here and there.

Some of the paint around the o/s/r light is rather scuffed and scruffy.

Beyond these minor foibles, the car is displaying no more than an entirely standard number and distribution of light scratches and stone chips.

The interior of this glorious survivor from a bygone era is truly delightful.

The beautifully patinated soft brown leather is as warm and inviting as a well-used chesterfield sofa in a gentlemen’s club.

Yes, it’s showing its age – but in a good way: it wears its creases, cracks and scuffs like badges of honour.

The leather trim on the door cards is relatively decent, too, save for a few scuffs and marks at the bottom, no doubt caused by the ingress and egress of feet over the course of 87 years.

The rich, dark wood looks good, but is not free of cracks, pitting or scuffs.

The varnish and lacquer have rubbed away on the door cappings and, on the o/s/r door, the wooden section that hosts an ashtray (like most cars of this age, it has more ashtrays than a pub garden) has come away and is currently sitting on the floor.

The carpets are reasonable, the headlining is good apart from a few spots of staining at the rear, and the car’s controls, gauges, switches, buttons and knobs all look to be in fine fettle. 

Carpeted and capacious, the boot is in good order, too.

We know from an attached invoice sent from Alvis to the vendor’s father that the car had its engine rebuilt and refurbished in 1958.

Today, that same engine looks clean and dry, starts and runs as it should, and appears to have all of its sundry components and ancillaries in their right and proper places.

The car’s undersides appear to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity and we’ve seen nothing to make us frown or tut.

Well, there’s not much history to speak of but, as it’s spent the last 71 years in the same family ownership - and sat in a barn for 30 of those years - we really don’t think that’s a big deal.

It comes with its original ‘buff’ log book and various receipts and letters between, primarily, the vendor’s father and Alvis themselves.

It also comes with a selection of photographs charting the car’s steady progress from long-term barn resident to the glorious classic you see before you today.

Very few of these cars were built in the first place, thanks to the unfortunate commencement of worldwide hostilities in 1939.

Of those that remain, and we’re guessing that’s no more than a handful, we’d be very surprised if any can match this for condition, provenance and, above all, sheer charm.

It is an utter joy and fully deserves to go to a very good home. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £40,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.