What was this ex-Glasgow police car doing in Paris?

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This picture had us intrigued. It comes with the following caption: “Paris – damage from WW2 and antique car.” It is dated 1957–1959. Interesting for a number of reasons. The damage to the houses, at least 12 years after the war had ended, seems long overdue for repair. But let’s say people had other things on their minds.

No, it’s the car that catches our attention. Considered “antique” already in the late 1950s, there is no doubt this is a fine British tourer of the 1930s. Jaguar? Lagonda? Bentley, perhaps? MG SA? No—it’s an Alvis Speed 25 with a Charlesworth Tourer body. If you look closely, you’ll see that the registration plate may read CUS 5 or CUG 5.

We typed in that first number, and to our great joy we found immediately that the Alvis Register knows this particular car—and even has a wonderful picture of it. This Tourer was sold new to the Glasgow Police in 1933. In fact, it was one of five that went to the forces of law and order, all with consecutive number plates.

So, when this picture was taken, the Charlesworth Tourer was some 25 years old—enough to be considered an antiquity. That also makes it highly unlikely it was still in service with the Glasgow police, chasing Scottish gangsters. So what was it doing in Paris?

Words: Jeroen Booij
Picture: New York Public Library

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