1931 Alvis Silver Eagle

Description

From the estate of long-term Alvis Register editor Paul Haye; strong running quality sporting saloon; lovely original interior; engine work by Ben Smith Engineering (Rolls-Royce specialist) in 2017; huge value and most appealing

Alvis followed the trend when they introduced their small capacity six-cylinder model at the end of the 1920s.

They were not cheap to produce and Alvis soon got into trouble. The general economic downturn combined with the costs of producing their complex front-wheel drive model nearly finished them off, but the hurried re-introduction of the simpler four-cylinder 12-50 range saved the day.

The 14-75 six-cylinder model soon saw an increase in capacity and was re-named the 'Silver Eagle', now with 2,148cc and clever wheels with 'jelly-mould' hub centres instead of the traditional Rudge-Whitworth hub, which were much cheaper to produce.

A copy of the Factory Car Record shows this is a TC 16-95 model which was sold through Henlys in Manchester and despatched from the works on 20th July 1931.

It retains its original Carbodies six-light saloon coachwork and left the works painted blue with Ivory wheels and fitted with brown leather upholstery (which is mostly original). A buff logbook from March 1947 shows it living near Preston in Lancs up until 1962 and a letter relating to a wiring diagram from Alvis Ltd dated June 1966 shows it was still in the hands of Mr Cookson of Leyland at that time.

It was with an Alvis Club Member from 1989 until 2001 when it came into the hands of our vendor's late husband (editor of the Alvis Register), with lots of bills on file to show significant care and maintenance during his tenure.

Thirty old MOTs show that it hasn't covered many miles, although the odometer only reads to 9,999 miles so it has been round a couple of times since the late 1970s.

In 2004 the wheels were rebuilt at considerable expense and in 2007 the steering box had a new Alvis Spares steering shaft fitted which is an important maintenance job on the Marles box fitted to Alvis cars of the period.

The steering had new track rod ends and ball joints in 2011, along with new rear spring shackles and in 2017 the waterpump was rebuilt costing a further £700.

Bills on file from 2004 show a full engine rebuild including a set of Phoenix rods, although this has been superceded somewhat by a Ben Smith Engineering (top-notch engineers who specialise in Vintage Rolls-Royce) engine overhaul in 2017 costing £8,576.

Work included new liners and pistons and sorting out a cam bush issue which was the reason for the rebuild. This involved making new cam bushings and line-boring the crankcase. It has covered very few miles since and is still very much in the running-in stage. Since arrival on-site, we have been unable to get the petrol pump to function, so it has not been running with us, although has been running and driving within the last month or so we are told.

On offer from a deceased estate, it has an original handbook plus a repro instruction book and looks like an enormous amount of top-quality British engineering for very little outlay. Ideal for longer trips and with room for all the family, there are plenty of events to enjoy with this car.

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