LOT 202

1930 Alvis SA 16.95hp Silver Eagle Tourer Project Coachwork by John Selway of Gainsborough Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. 8055

Sold for £13,800 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 202

From the estate of the late John Burnell
1930 Alvis SA 16.95hp Silver Eagle Tourer Project

Goodwood Members' Meeting|14 April 2024, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1930 Alvis SA 16.95hp Silver Eagle Tourer Project
Coachwork by John Selway of Gainsborough
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. 8055

• Raced in period, including at Brooklands
• Present ownership since 1998
• Reconditioned engine, mechanicals rebuilt
• New body
• Requires completion

Despite the somewhat conservative image Alvis has today, the Coventry manufacturer produced some technically innovative cars in the inter-war period, pioneering front-wheel-drive technology and championing small-capacity, high-performance engines. Engineer T G John had founded the Alvis company in 1919 when he acquired the rights to an automobile engine and with it the brand name of its aluminium pistons – 'Alvis'. The first Alvis car - the 10/30hp - appeared in 1920.

"An 80mph car, in which refinement and high performance have been combined" was how The Motor magazine summed up the new 16.95hp Alvis Silver Eagle SA sports saloon in December 1929. Newly introduced that year, the Silver Eagle was powered by an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 2,148cc and equipped with triple SU carburettors.

This Alvis Silver Eagle has led an interesting life, having been sold new to an Army officer and shipped to India. The car was originally fitted with an Alvista sports saloon body although this was soon discarded in favour of more sporting coachwork. The Alvis was raced by a Major Broadway in Burma, winning several events, and also by Robin Jackson at Brooklands. It subsequently went to Malaya where it raced before being shipped to Canada. Eventually the car arrived in Newcastle, UK and in 1998 was purchased by Alvis Register stalwart, the late John Burnell.

Since being acquired by John the chassis has been stripped and rebuilt; a reconditioned engine fitted; the original gearbox and rear axle overhauled; and a new aluminium body fabricated by John Selway of Gainsborough. The car is offered for completion by the new owner.

There is a huge file of correspondence tracing the car's history; photographs of it racing; copies of the spare parts catalogue and copy handbook; and an HMRC import document showing tax paid on import in 1998, which should assist the next owner with registration with the DVLA.

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