1936 Alvis 3.5 Litre Mk6 Charlesworth Coupe Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: AFS 301
Chassis No: 13140
Mot Expiry: May 2006

Introduced at the 1935 Motor Show, the Alvis 3½ Litre was a logical next step in the Coventry firm's relentless push upmarket. Equipped with independent transverse-leaf front suspension, adjustable Telecontrol shock absorbers and finned-drum brakes, its 10' 7" chassis attracted bespoke designs from the likes of Charlesworth, Vanden Plas, Arthur Mulliner and Gurney Nutting. More technologically advanced than its Bentley 3½ Litre and Lagonda LG45 rivals, the new Alvis was powered by a seven-bearing crankshaft 3,571cc ohv straight-six mated to a four-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. Priced at £775 au naturel, 'The Motor' found one capable of 0-50mph in 12 seconds and 98mph. In production for a single season, just 62 Alvis 3½ cars are thought to have been made. Of these a mere twelve are known to the Alvis Owners Club with AFS 301 being the sole surviving Charlesworth MK6 Coupe Saloon (from three built). A wedding present, this super-stylish 3½ Litre was originally ordered from JR Gault of Glasgow in May 1936 by the future Mrs. Shepherd. Intended for her husband Brigadier (later General) Shepherd, she left instructions that it be ready for collection when the couple returned from honeymoon that August. Despite the Brigadier having use of a staff car, AFS 301 was not dormant during WW2. Instead, it saw service on a local airbase. Following the death of Mrs. Shepherd in 1952, it took part in the funeral cortege before being laid-up later that decade. Off the road for some twenty years or so, the General's death in 1976 prompted its sale to well known Scottish artist Anthony Armstrong some two years later. Armstrong then set about sympathetically re-commissioning the car. However, it was found to be in remarkably sound order and apart from a repaint and some minor fettling required little else. With Armstrong for some eighteen years, it came into the present owner's possession in 1995. Since then it has been treated to a thorough mechanical overhaul, new headlining and carpets. Finished in dark green over black with stunning tan leather interior, it is described by the vendor as being in very good overall condition. Preserved from the Scottish climate by a thick coat of oil / paraffin to its underside (now removed), it is said to remain "totally rust free". Rightly treasured by all three keepers thus far, this truly magical car still retains its original tool roll, underbonnet tools, Lucas battery factory guarantee certificate, buff logbook, various invoices (dating back to the 1950s), original handbook, sales brochure and sundry old MOT certificates.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until May 2006 and not June 2006 as stated in the catalogue. Also upon arrival it was found that this cars starter motor was not engaged properly. However, it was bump started.