Alvis Silver Eagle

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.[1][2][3]

All vehicles shared a six-cylinder inline engine with overhead valves and two rigid axles suspended on longitudinal leaf springs. All models were available as touring cars, roadsters, saloons, or convertibles.The SA and SD models appeared in 1930. Both had a wheelbase of 2845 mm. The SA was slightly shorter at 3962 mm, but wider at 1600 mm, and had a 2148 cc engine (bore × stroke = 67.5 mm × 100 mm), producing 72 bhp. The SD was 4013 mm long and only 1511 mm wide; however, its engine had a smaller displacement of 1991 cc (bore × stroke = 65 mm × 100 mm).With its greater width and larger displacement, the SA was suited to more comfort-oriented body styles, while the narrower, smaller-displacement SD was suited to sportier body styles, which could also be used in motorsports in the then-popular 16 hp (2-liter) class. Both engines received their fuel mixture via three SU carburetors. The cars' top speed was 85 mph.

In 1931, both models were replaced by the TB and SE. Their chassis had a longer wheelbase of 3010 mm, and the vehicle length had grown to 4115 mm. The TB was equipped with the larger engine of the SA, which, however, only had a single Zenith carburetor. Starting in 1932, Alvis sought to position itself in higher market segments with new six-cylinder models. The Speed 20 was slightly longer and significantly sportier, while the Crested Eagle, added in 1933, was considerably longer. After the two new, larger models had established themselves, Alvis presented another Silver Eagle model[4] in 1934. The SF model adopted the wheelbase and engine of the TB. However, the car's length had increased to 4255 mm and its width to 1588 mm, and the engine was again powered by three SU carburettors. The top speed was now 75 mph.

In mid-1935, the SF was replaced by the SG model. While the body remained the same, the engine now had a 110 mm stroke, resulting in a displacement of 2362 cc. This engine produced 66 bhp (48.5 kW) at 4200 rpm. The three SU carburetors remained. The top speed also remained unchanged.

In 1936, after the production of some 2,690 examples,[5] the series was finally replaced by the Silver Crest model.

Gallery

Sources

• David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895–1975. Veloce Publishing, Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6, pp. 35–40.

External links

• Silver Eagle TA/TB/SA/SD/SE. Motorbase – The Home of Classic Car Information]. With photo. Accessed August 7, 2014.
• Silver Eagle 20 TB/TC. Motorbase – The Home of Classic Car Information. With photo. Accessed August 7, 2014.
• Silver Eagle 16 SF/SG. Motorbase – The Home of Classic Car Information. With photo. Accessed August 7, 2014.
• Alvis Cars Owners Club website