Through soundness of design and excellent workmanship, Alvis gained a consistently good competition career throughout the vintage period, no doubt helping sales along the way. The Alvis Speed 20 was introduced in 1932, one of the first cars to come with an all-synchromesh gearbox. Powered by a 2,511cc six cylinder ohv engine with triple S.U. carburrettors, the Speed 20 could easily reach 75mph, with about 90 miles an hour on hand if the going was right.