Details of Cars

Alvis Silver Eagle: the six-cylinder series, 1930–1936

ALVIS

Alvis Silver Eagle Beetleback at the Le Mans Classic
Alvis Silver Eagle “Beetleback” at the Le Mans Classic. Photo by el.guy08_11, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Alvis Silver Eagle was a series of passenger cars produced by Alvis, initially from 1930 to 1931 as the successor to the 14.75 model, and then from 1934 to 1936. All had an inline six-cylinder overhead-valve engine and two rigid axles on longitudinal leaf springs, and all were available as tourers, roadsters, saloons or convertibles.

Alvis Silver Eagle at a glance

Alvis Silver Eagle models
SA (1930) 2,148 cc, 72 bhp; comfort-oriented
SD (1930) 1,991 cc; narrower, sportier, suited to the 2-litre racing class
TB and SE (1931) wheelbase 3,010 mm; TB with the larger SA engine and a single Zenith carburettor
SF (1934) TB wheelbase and engine, three SU carburettors, 75 mph (120 km/h)
SG (1935) 2,362 cc, 66 bhp at 4,200 rpm, three SU carburettors
Total about 2,690 built

This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.

History of the Alvis Silver Eagle

The SA and SD appeared in 1930, both on a 2,845 mm wheelbase. The wider, larger-engined SA suited comfort-oriented bodies, while the narrower SD with its smaller engine suited sportier bodies and the then-popular 16 hp (2-litre) racing class. In 1931 they were replaced by the TB and SE with a longer 3,010 mm wheelbase.

1935 Alvis Silver Eagle SG saloon
1935 Alvis Silver Eagle SG saloon. Photo by Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

From 1932 Alvis moved up-market with the Speed 20 and, in 1933, the larger Crested Eagle. In 1934 it presented another Silver Eagle, the SF, with the TB wheelbase and engine and three SU carburettors. In mid-1935 the SG replaced the SF with a longer 110 mm stroke giving 2,362 cc and 66 bhp. In 1936, after about 2,690 cars, the series was replaced by the Silver Crest.

Design and features

  • Engine: inline six, overhead valves.
  • Axles: rigid, on longitudinal leaf springs.

Alvis Silver Eagle versions

  • SA, SD, TB, SE, SF and SG in tourer, roadster, saloon and convertible bodies.

More Alvis cars are in our Alvis collection, for example the Speed 25 and the Firefly.

Alvis Silver Eagle questions and answers

When was the Silver Eagle built?

1930–1931 and again 1934–1936.

How many were made?

About 2,690.

What replaced it?

The Silver Crest in 1936.

Sources

More from ALVIS