Atlantic Eagle

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Like many other prestigious marques in the late Vintage period, Alvis recognised that small six-cylinders represented the way forward and, in 1927, released its 14.75 model with its 1879cc six. In 1929, this was bored out to 2148cc and the car was rechristened the Silver Eagle. The stalwart12/50 sold in much greater volume, although the Silver Eagle was arguably Alvis’s best product of the Vintage period. Then again, considering its pioneering efforts with front-wheel drive sports cars, that title could be up for debate.

Alvis

The smooth and rapid six deserved something a little rakish in the way of bodywork, and the lovely Car bodies fabric saloon body fitted to this 1930 Silver Eagle suits it to a tee. It is even better now 90 years of careful preservation has coated it with a superb patina, but we’ve yet to come to its most interesting feature.

In 1932, the Silver Eagle was replaced by the Speed 20, which boasted a 2½-litre motor producing 87bhp. Aghast that they should have missed out by two years on an even more modern and vivacious engine, the owner of this car returned to the works to have the Speed 20 engine installed.

Ninety years later, it’s still going strong with minimal alterations, and is the epitome of the practical Vintage car you can really use. Marcus Rowe discovers just what a joy it is in the May issue if The Automobile, available now.

Words by Zack Stiling. Photographs by Mike Valente.

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