Vehicle Description
The Alvis Car Company is a quintessentially British marque that,
from the very beginning of production in 1919, desired to build the
highest quality, handcrafted automobiles for a discerning
clientele. Unlike the opulent Rolls-Royce or muscular Bentley,
Alvis preferred to remain somewhat understated in its product
offerings, appealing to more conservative buyers. That's not to
suggest that Alvis cars were devoid of performance or sophisticated
style, however, they had a certain understated character that was
undeniably British. Alvis was not afraid to push the boundaries of
technology. The firm produced an innovative front-wheel-drive
racing car, which won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1928.
Lovers of the modern manual gearbox have Alvis to thank for their
introduction of the very first fully-synchronized transmission in
1933; followed closely by servo assisted brakes. Alvis road cars
often wore gorgeous custom coachwork by Britain's finest
coachbuilders, and standard road cars had a reputation for robust
build quality. Not unlike the automobiles of Bristol or Daimler,
Alvis was a luxury grand touring car for the thinking man. After
spending the war years supplying aero engines, Alvis returned to
car production in earnest in the late 1940s. In the early 1950s,
the new TA-21 debuted with a brand new chassis and 3-liter engine.
This platform and engine would serve as the primary underpinnings
for all subsequent models until Alvis production ceased in 1967.
The TA-21 was noted for its pre-war style coachwork, but hints of
the future began to emerge when Graber of Switzerland produced a
neat, fully-enveloped, slab-sided body on a TC-21 chassis. The
relationship with Graber blossomed with the TC108/G, mechanically
identical to the previous model, but with thoroughly modern
coachwork. The TD-21 first appeared in 1958 with a new styling that
brought Alvis into the modern age. Much of the styling was a
carryover from the Graber-designed TD-21; however, the bodies were
constructed by Park Ward. In 1962, Alvis brought a Series II model,
with various styling and mechanical improvements to further refine
the driving experience. Series II cars benefit from four-wheel
Dunlop disc brakes, and the same refined and silky 115 horsepower
3-litre inline six as its predecessor. The most notable changes
include a revised front end, with faired-in fog lamps that double
as air inlets for the ventilation system, and some subtle
tidying-up around the back. According to Alvis expert and author
David Culshaw, the TD21 Series II is considered to be one of the
very best of all the Three-Litre variants. For today's enthusiasts,
Alvis remains a bit of a dark horse for its relative rarity in
North America; however, their elegance and sublime road manners
make them a fantastic choice for enthusiasts of the more esoteric
marques. Our featured 1962 Alvis TD21 is lovely and desirable
Series II model with a manual gearbox, converted to Drophead Coupe
specification as part of a body-off restoration. The conversion
used original coupe and drophead donors, seamlessly combined with
superb results. It is a striking example, finished in attractive
metallic gold over a biscuit tan interior. This is one of only 289
Series II models produced (compared to 784 series one cars), and it
comes most recently from an avid collector and restorer of classic
British automobiles. It displays excellent quality finishes and
detailing, and has earned numerous accolades at events such as the
2018 Atlanta Concours and other British car events. The
presentation is crisp and attractive, with high-quality gold
paintwork and excellent chrome plating. Period correct details
include Lucas Fog Ranger lamps in the body, and factory optional
chrome wire wheels. The luxurious interior features large swaths of
supple biscuit tan leather and dark burl walnut trim on the dash
and door panel tops. The leather is beautifully finished, with only
the slightest creasing on the driver's seat from use, while the
passenger seat and large, roomy rear seats are taut and fresh. Dark
brown Wilton wool carpets complement the tobacco brown-colored
canvas hood. Burl walnut on the dash and door panel trims is
excellent, and the proper Smiths instruments appear freshly
restored. The folding drophead hood is insulated and fully lined in
broadcloth for superior sound insulation and comfort. As a southern
car, the discreetly integrated air conditioning system is a welcome
addition. Legendary for its refinement and strength, the 3-litre
Alvis inline six is tidy and nicely presented in the engine bay.
This car's period-correct engine is updated with an alternator,
power steering, aforementioned A/C, and Evans waterless coolant for
some additional piece of mind for warmer climates. The engine is
mated to the rare and highly desirable ZF 5-speed manual, which was
first offered as an option on the Series II TD21 and delivered a
welcome boost in reliability and performance over the older
Austin-sourced 4-speed. The engine runs very well, and the car
feels nicely sorted for regular enjoyment. This is a highly
attractive and thoroughly usable example of what many Alvis fans
feel is the best of the 3-litre breed. With its refined 3-litre
engine, 5-speed manual gearbox and useful mechanical upgrades, this
Alvis is ready for effortless touring on the road, while its
gorgeous presentation makes it welcome for display in regional
concours and club events. However its next keeper uses it, this
TD21 is a proud representative of the famous red triangle.