Lot Ended
Description
A gorgeous example of this supremely elegant gentleman's
carriage; 5-speed manual; power steering; few owners, the current since 2017;
runs like a Swiss watch; pleasingly original with bags of character; just
how we like them!
Launched in
October 1958, the Graber-styled Alvis TD21 was an immediate success; the
combination of a luxury interior, elegant bodywork and 100mph performance
proving immensely attractive to the well-heeled clientele at which it was
aimed.
The Motor described it as having "a
Jeeves-like quality of responding to its master's whim". Autocar praised it as
"one of the most enchanting owner-driver cars imaginable," singling out the
quality of the Park Ward coachwork with doors that "close with a majestic clunk
- more like an air of finality than a noise."
Qualities that were no doubt appreciated by owners as august as the
Dukes of Edinburgh and Windsor, Sir Douglas Bader and James Mason – all as
quintessentially English as the car.
Powered by a
torquey 120bhp straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox as
standard, the TD21 was capable of effortless high speed cruising and handled
exceptionally well for such a stately machine. In 1963 it was replaced by the
TE21, an even better car that was readily distinguished by its new
stacked-headlight front end, another design flourish by Swiss coachbuilder
Graber.
Maximum power was now 130bhp courtesy of
a new cylinder head and torque was up to 172lb/ft, with a choice of automatic or
5-speed ZF manual gearboxes. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes were now
standard and power steering was available as an option. Tested by Autocar, a
TE21 could reach 60mph in 12.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 108mph. An
extremely rare car, only 349 were made before it was replaced by the TF in 1966.
Supplied new by The Eton Motor Group of Slough
in February 1965 with the registration number GBH 600C, this lovely TE21 has had
just six owners to date, all detailed in old logbooks on file. The first owner
was a Michael Collins of Hoylake, Cheshire, who kept the car for three years.
When he sold it in 1968 the number was changed to 111 DDA and it moved to
Worcestershire, residing in that locality ever since.
From 1968 – 1973 it was owned by Arthur Broatch of Welland and from
1973 – 1975 by SR Elston Ltd of Hanley Swan. The next owner was a Mr Albert
Daniels of Malvern who kept the car for 41 years (1975 – 2016). It then briefly
had another Malvern owner before our vendor acquired the car in 2017.
Still in its original colour scheme of dark
green with a beautifully preserved red leather interior, 111 DDA has the perfect
spec for a TE21 which includes a 5-speed manual gearbox, power steering,
adjustable steering column, servo disc brakes, semi-automatic choke, front seat
belts and Radiomobile radio.
It is showing
74,623 miles which is believed to be correct and seems entirely plausible given
the overall condition of the car. It is also backed up by 25 old MOTs, the
earliest of which shows that it had covered 58,200 miles by
1983.
The history file shows that the car was in
storage from 1973 – 1983. It was then sympathetically restored which included
new sills, new wings, new screen rubbers front and rear, full repaint and waxoil
treatment. All mechanical aspects were overhauled as required with lots of
invoices to show regular upkeep since. Parts fitted between 1991 and 2016
include: new clutch kit; radiator; water pump; engine mountings; brake and
suspension parts; headlights; stainless steel exhaust plus many routine service
items. A Tracker theft recovery system was also fitted in
1997.
In December 2016 at 73,723 miles it had a
major service at Retro Marques of Strensham and in March 2017 the body and
paintwork was tidied up by Tony Williams Bodyshop of Malvern to remove a few
blemishes.
Our vendor acquired the car from Retro
Marques in June 2017 (for considerably more than the guide price suggested
here). He has continued to look after it well, having it maintained by local
Alvis specialists Earley Engineering of Kingstone. This has included a thorough
service and check-over which included a new brake servo; new rear gearbox
mounting; various new suspension bushes; carbs tuned; new coil, points, rotor
arm; chassis points all greased; waxoil treatment etc.
Driven some 30 miles to the sale on a very hot day, we are told that
the car runs and drives well. It has certainly been starting instantly and
running like a Swiss watch as we have moved it around on site, with good 50psi
oil pressure. The doors fit beautifully and still close with that uniquely Alvis
'whoosh/click', testament to the skills of the craftsmen who originally built
the car 60 years ago.
As you can see in the
photos, it looks wonderful and comes with a large history file including an
original owner’s handbook, period road tests, Alvis Club magazines and much
useful technical literature relating to the model.
One of the nicest Alvis Three Litres we have seen, with bags of
originality and character, this rare and handsome TE is on offer here at a
very attractive guide price and will bring a great deal of pleasure to its
fortunate new owner. As you can probably tell by now, we like it a
lot...
For more information contact James on
07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com