14277 Crested Eagle BPM 505 driven London Cape Town in 1965 – greeted by J J Parkes. Scrapped in 1967
THE ALVIS “CRESTED EAGLE” MODEL 28 March 2014
The Crested Eagle model was introduced in May 1933 and continued in production until 1939, producing 602 chassis. It competed in the Luxury Class with the majority of the automobiles bodied as Owner-Driven Saloons or Limousines, but also included a smattering of Sporty models. Coachbuilders Charlesworth Bodies Ltd. and Mayfair Carriage Company dominated this model Alvis, but there were at least eleven (11) other coachbuilders utilized.
Of the 602 Crested Eagles produced over 7 years, research indicates that fifty-one (51) have survived: forty-two (42) as complete automobiles, four (4) as Specials, and five (5) as just chassis or a collection of parts. Of course, we’re hopeful that there are cars “out there” that we just haven’t heard about for 30 or 40 years.
The “Complete Automobiles” remaining include:
23 Charlesworth Saloons: 13 in UK, 2 in New Zealand, and 1 each in Australia, USA,
Belgium, Italy, Germany, Sweden, South Africa, and Namibia.
11 Mayfair Limousines: 9 in UK, 1 in Switzerland, and 1 in Japan.
2 R.E.A.L. Tourers (R.E. Alltman, Ltd.) : 1 in UK, 1 in USA.
1 Vanden Plas Drop Head Coupe, in England.
1 Martin and King 4-Light Saloon, in Australia.
1 Holbrook 4-Light Saloon, in Australia.
1 Cross & Ellis Drop Head Coupe, in Germany.
1 Salmons Folding Top Saloon, in UK.
1 Mayfair Sedanca DeVille, in Germany.
The “Specials” are: 2 in England, 1 in Ireland, and 1 in Germany.
The “Chassis or Parts” are: 2 in England, 1 in Australia, 1 in Denmark, and 1 in Germany.
Wheelbase was either 10’ 3” or 11’ . Engines were in-line, 6 cylinder. There were multiple designations depending on year produced, displacement, and chassis length:
1933, 1934, 1935 : 16.95 hp, 2148 cc – TE
1933, 1934, 1935 : 19.82 hp, 2511 cc – TD & TE
1936 : 19.82 hp, 2762 cc – TF & TG
1937, 1938, 1939 : 19.82 hp, 2762 cc – TJ & TK
1937 : 25.63 hp, 3571 cc – TA & TB
1938, 1939 : 25.63 hp, 3571 cc – TC & TD
The 19.82 hp engines generally had a single Solex carburetor, and the 25.63 hp engines carried triple SU carburetors.
Some of the photos following are of Crested Eagles that no longer exist. We have identified fifty-nine (59) which have been scrapped. There are certainly more. Saloons and Limousines were widely used as “parts cars” to keep Sports Models (Speed 20s and Speed 25s) operating through World War II and since.
12898, Charlesworth 6 light BXR 853, Bob Merril, former Crested Eagle Model Secretary of the AOC, owned for 38 years, 1 Aug 2004.
12898 Crested Eagle Charlesworth 6 Light BXR 853 taken in July 2018 at Newby Hall – photo John Fox
The following photos have been collected for the Alvis Archive and Alvis Owner Club. If you have other photos of Crested Eagles, please email them to: Alvis Archive Trust at alvisarchive@btinternet.com
Ch 10651, KV 3824, 1933 Charlesworth Saloon, TE 16.95.
Ch 10662, US 2045, 1933 Mayfair Limousine.
10662, US 2045, TE 19.82 Mayfair
Ch 10670, ALE 850, 1933 VDP DHC, in May 2012
Ch 10670, ALE 850, circa 1954, hood down.
Ch 10670, ALE 850, circa 1954, left side.
Ch 10670, ALE 850, circa 1954, right side.
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Dash
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Engine Right Side
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Engine, Left Fore
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Front
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Left Front
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Left Side
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Rear
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Seats
Ch 10670, ALE 850, Top
Ch 10694, AUC 957, 1933 Charlesworth, in 1984, now a Special.
10707 KUD 215-ex-Paramount-cars-of-derby – SEE BULLETIN 513
ch-10707 now-with-daimler-scout-engine
ch-10707-rebodied-in-1950s
10707 KV 5819 was 1933-charlesworth-saloon
Ch 10708, KV 6536ODH 416, circa 1959.
Ch 10708, ODH 416, ex 1934 Charlesworth Saloon, March 1967.
Ch 10722, Australia, 1933 Charlesworth Saloon, circa 2002.
Ch 10735, Australia, 1933 Martin and King, circa 2004.
Ch 10735, Martin and King Saloon, Australia circa 1950s.
Ch 10738, WV 4305, 1933 R.E.A.L. Tourer, circa 1934.
Ch 10738, WV 4305, TE 19.82.
Ch 10738, WV 4305, in August 1990
Ch 10738, WV 4305, on 30 June 2012.
Ch 10742, WH 4950, 1933 Charlesworth Dhc.
Ch 10742, WH 4950, TD 19.82, photo circa 1950s
Ch 10970, CN 5854, 1934 Mayfair Limousine, circa 2011.
AVF 990..glad to see it still survives, credit to its current owner. This car was in our family from 1957 until 1970.Would love to find out more of its whereabouts and its restoration, have a huge collection of family photographs with Alvis taking prominence. Huge amount of stories also !
Thank you for this……our Crested Eagle Model Secretary will be in touch with you. He has current information on the present ownership and will be delighted to have the earlier history.
David,
Great to hear from you.
AVF 990, Chassis 13241, has been owned by Dr. Pierre Gerkens of Dusseldorf, Germany since 1991. I suspect that all previous owners participated in its restoration – but don’t know any specific details.
The AOC and Alvis Archive Trust would love to see any period photos of this car and hear your stories. You could email them to me and I can have them entered into the Trust or forward to the Editor of the AOC Bulletin. We’d love to see and hear from you.
Bob Merrill, Crested Eagle Model Secretary, ROBTLMERRILL@HOTMAIL.COM.
Does anyone have a photograph of the Sedanca DeVille currently residing in Germany. I briefly owned her after taking her as part ex on FRF 303 from Mike Cummins. My German customer arrived with a Transit and trailer and off it went on it’s travels.
David,
See photos above for Chassis 13764, DXR 270. Owned by Manfred Fleischmann of Altenstadt, Germany – and undergoing a full restoration. It is the only Sedanca DeVille on a Crested Eagle chassis.
Bob Merrill
Like your site, and it got me wondering if our family crested eagle still exists? Reg number
BXK. 355 I think it was registered in 1934 it was laid up during the war till my father bought it
in 1950 . On my return from national service in 1959 it was sold to a fellow service man in the RAF stationed at Cottesmore I. Rutland and that was the last I heard of it in 1960 nice to know if it is still existence Regards CBMoorcroft
Thanks for your comment. Do you have a photo of the car? We cannot trace the registration number but with more information on the coachwork we might narrow it down. Email me on alvisarchive@bt internet.com
I wonder whether or not BHP221 is the only Alvis car in which an AOC committee meeting has been held. Six of us and the fold down tables were jolly useful.
Hello Tony, we do have some history of WS 619 up to 2012 when it was wearing a special body – but it is not a Crested Eagle. Please confirm the numbers displayed on the engine and body.
THE ALVIS “CRESTED EAGLE” MODEL 28 March 2014
Alvis Archive 
Great site good info. We love our Crested Eagle ALE 850.
very much the luxury end of Alvis motoring.
Eric Ody
AVF 990..glad to see it still survives, credit to its current owner. This car was in our family from 1957 until 1970.Would love to find out more of its whereabouts and its restoration, have a huge collection of family photographs with Alvis taking prominence. Huge amount of stories also !
Thank you for this……our Crested Eagle Model Secretary will be in touch with you. He has current information on the present ownership and will be delighted to have the earlier history.
David,
Great to hear from you.
AVF 990, Chassis 13241, has been owned by Dr. Pierre Gerkens of Dusseldorf, Germany since 1991. I suspect that all previous owners participated in its restoration – but don’t know any specific details.
The AOC and Alvis Archive Trust would love to see any period photos of this car and hear your stories. You could email them to me and I can have them entered into the Trust or forward to the Editor of the AOC Bulletin. We’d love to see and hear from you.
Bob Merrill, Crested Eagle Model Secretary, ROBTLMERRILL@HOTMAIL.COM.
Does anyone have a photograph of the Sedanca DeVille currently residing in Germany. I briefly owned her after taking her as part ex on FRF 303 from Mike Cummins. My German customer arrived with a Transit and trailer and off it went on it’s travels.
David,
See photos above for Chassis 13764, DXR 270. Owned by Manfred Fleischmann of Altenstadt, Germany – and undergoing a full restoration. It is the only Sedanca DeVille on a Crested Eagle chassis.
Bob Merrill
Like your site, and it got me wondering if our family crested eagle still exists? Reg number
BXK. 355 I think it was registered in 1934 it was laid up during the war till my father bought it
in 1950 . On my return from national service in 1959 it was sold to a fellow service man in the RAF stationed at Cottesmore I. Rutland and that was the last I heard of it in 1960 nice to know if it is still existence Regards CBMoorcroft
Thanks for your comment. Do you have a photo of the car? We cannot trace the registration number but with more information on the coachwork we might narrow it down. Email me on alvisarchive@bt internet.com
I wonder whether or not BHP221 is the only Alvis car in which an AOC committee meeting has been held. Six of us and the fold down tables were jolly useful.
Do you know anything of WS619?
Looking at buying it.
Hello Tony, we do have some history of WS 619 up to 2012 when it was wearing a special body – but it is not a Crested Eagle. Please confirm the numbers displayed on the engine and body.