My Alvis Speed 20 SC

David Egan, 46, of Newcastle, has just finished restoring a 1935 Alvis Speed 20 SC.

"I always had a plan to have a significant car from each decade," he says.

His current project is restoring the three-litre Bentley, then he wants to buy a 1940s MG TC and a 1970s Ferrari Dino.

"That will give me something from each decade," he says. "I bought them all because they are standout cars from each of their eras. I'm not worried about the '80s and '90s. They're modern cars as far as I'm concerned."

Egan says he has been "fiddling with cars since I was in nappies almost".

"I have a good grounding in classic cars and appreciation because I was born into it. My father, Terry, collected them - mainly American vintage. I started with a 1932 Austin 7 when I was 15. I got my licence in it and drove it to school. Everyone in our country town (Gunnedah) knew the Egans had old cars so it was not really considered unusual."

Egan's favourite - at the moment - is the recently restored Alvis.

"They're a big, powerful, luxurious car," Egan says. "If you couldn't afford a Rolls or a Bentley, the next level down was the Alvis and it wasn't that far down."

The Alvis features the world's first all-synchro four-speed manual gearbox, shock absorbers that are adjustable on the fly from a button on the dashboard, an independent jacking system, one-shot lubrication from a button on the dashboard and twin ignition magneto.

The cars were imported from Britain as a chassis. This one has a body built by Melbourne coach builders Martin and King. Egan says the Melbourne police used Speed 20s for pursuit cars.

"It will easily cruise at 75mph (120km/h)," Egan says. "It drives very stately-like with plenty of performance. It still has no problems cruising along the highway at 110km, but the fuel economy is dreadful - 19mpg (15L/100km) - but that's not what it's all about."

The car was bought new by a Brisbane doctor who used it daily until the early '70s. After chasing the car for about 10 years, Egan bought it four years ago for $40,000 as a partly restored rolling chassis in pieces. He spent about $20,000 on finishing the restoration which included painting, trim, assembly, wiring, bodywork; "basically everything". Egan does all the work, except for the painting which is handled by his brother, Michael.

"I spend what ever time is left after running a supermarket," he says. "I started off as a trolley boy and now I'm a supermarket manager. There wouldn't be too many trolley boys around with a Bentley and an Alvis."

ALVIS SPEED 20 SC

Year: 1935
Price new: $895
Price now: $150,000 (insured)
Body: coach builder Martin and King, Melbourne
Engine: 2.7L 6-cylinder, triple-SU, twin ignition OHV
Transmission: 4-speed manual with synchro.