1931 Ford Model A Pickup

Estimate: £18,000 - £22,000*

Reg No: ESK 975 MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: A4575434

Amid rumours that several States were preparing to ban his Model T, due to its ‘unsafe’ hand-operated braking system, Henry Ford begrudgingly succumbed to pressure and authorised the development of a successor. Introduced in December 1927, the Model A was greeted with unprecedented demand. Longer and lower-slung than the Model T, it retained transverse-leaf suspension but proved significantly more refined. Designed by Howard Hicks, its 3285cc, L-Head four-cylinder engine developed 40bhp (twice the Model T’s output) boasting niceties like coil ignition and integral water pump. Mated to a three-speed manual gearbox, it gave a top speed of 65mph necessitating the fitment of four-wheel brakes.

This charming Model A, chassis no. A4575434, was manufactured in 1931 and is understood to have been supplied new to America, residing for a period of its life in Louisiana, USA. Fitted with the 3285cc four-cylinder engine, allied to the three-speed manual transmission, the Pickup has been uprated with a higher ratio back axle to improve usability. A desirable closed cab Pickup example, the rear bed features wooden-staked sides, covered in an enclosing canvas. Imported into the United Kingdom in 1991, the Model A has only had five owners during this period.

Subject to a comprehensive restoration since arriving in the United Kingdom, the Model A is attractively finished in Cream and Red paintwork, with whitewall tyres, and Black interior upholstery. Entering into the current ownership in 2015, ‘ESK 975’ is offered directly from a large family private collection that includes classic cars, commercials, tractors and steam engines. Rallied on the show circuits while in the vendor’s ownership, the Ford is now ready for further use or would be an ideal promotional vehicle. Accompanied by a current V5C document.

1930 Alvis Silver Eagle Atlantic Saloon

Uprated with a pre-production Speed 20

2.5 litre engine

Estimate: £20,000 - £30,000*

Reg No: LG 3480 MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 8109

Championed by the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Invicta, six-cylinder engines became synonymous with prestige motoring during the 1920s. Debuting in 1927, the Alvis 14.75 owed much to the Coventry marque’s existing 12/50 fourcylinder model. Based around a robust ladder frame chassis equipped with allround, semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, the newcomer could be had with a variety of open and closed coachwork. A capacity increase from 1870cc to 2148cc saw the 14.75 become the 16.95 during late 1928. Reputedly capable of 80mph, Alvis’s six-cylinder offering was rechristened the Silver Eagle in March 1929 and gained a wider-tracked, lower-slung chassis the following summer.

Clothed as an Atlantic Saloon by Carbodies and initially finished in Black with Green leather upholstery, chassis 8109 was despatched to dealer James Edwards & Sons Ltd of Chester on 19th February 1930. First owned by R.G. Cornelius of Liverpool, his successors have included Lincoln Jones, Ian Roberts, Peter Harding, Max Williamson, Edward Roberts, Daniel Geoghegan and the vendor. Mr Harding fitted the Silver Eagle with a pre-production Speed 20 engine (2511cc) in 1956 which not only greatly enhanced its performance but also mimicked an experiment that Alvis itself had conducted in-period (‘The Vintage Alvis’ by Peter Hull and Norman Johnson mentions five such enhanced machines being completed with their powerplants all being cast pre-1931). Belonging to Mr Roberts for thirty-seven years (1976-2013), the uprated Saloon was sympathetically recommissioned by Mr Geoghegan with attention being paid to its ash frame (Keith Hill), original interior (Harry Fraser) and running gear (Classic Performance Engineering) plus new wire wheels / tyres. Upgraded with a 4.5:1 CWP prior to entering the current ownership, the past five years have seen the Silver Eagle benefit from a modern clutch, replacement exhaust system, rewiring (Winston Teague), overhauled front axle (Robin Harcourt-Smith) and tuned SU carburettors. Boasting an inimitable patina and recently featured by The Automobile magazine (May 2022 issue), ‘LG 3480’ is only being offered for sale to make room for another project.