1937 Alvis 4.3 Litre SA ‘Pillarless’ Saloon (by Vanden Plas)
This 1937 Alvis represents one of Britain’s most sophisticated pre-war luxury automobiles. Of the nearly 200 total 4.3-liter Alvis models produced, only a handful received Vanden Plas pillarless saloon coachwork, making this configuration exceptionally rare.
The car featured a 4.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower at 3,600 rpm, transmitted through a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox with independent front suspension and servo-assisted brakes. Alvis claimed it was the fastest non-supercharged saloon on the British market, capable of genuine 100 mph performance.
The pillarless design eliminated the central roof support between front and rear doors, creating an elegant, streamlined profile that showcased Vanden Plas’s coachbuilding expertise. This was an expensive automobile that attracted wealthy connoisseurs seeking advanced engineering. Production ended in 1940 with only 198 total 4.3-liter examples built, making survivors particularly coveted among vintage car enthusiasts.
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