Alvis was established to make engines, scooters, and carburetors in Coventry, England in 1919. Its first car followed in 1920, called the 10/30. After a foray into sports racing that brought it wins at LeMans, Alvis shifted to concentrate on the luxury market, where it competed with Daimler, Rolls Royce, and Jaguar, selling largely in the UK. Production numbers were low – typical of most hand-built cars. By the mid-1950s, coachbuilders were consolidating, and Alvis was forced to change its relationship away from Mulliner, which was becoming cozy with Standard Triumph. Its choice was bus maker Willowbrook of Longborough, but that proved to be a dead end. Apparently building buses did not translate so well to building luxury cars. Alvis’ next step was to hire Park Ward to execute a fresh Graber (of Switzerland) design. The new car was the TD21 and it was successfully launched in 1958. The TD21 was built in two series. Here on eBay is a 1963 Alvis TD21 saloon, from the second series, bid to $3550 in a no-reserve auction. This car was found after “sitting for many years” and is now located in Lutz, Florida. It comes with a non-notarized South Carolina title, which might be problematic. The seller notes that the rear window and turn signal lenses were set in place for its photo shoot; these parts are not installed.
The engine is a 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder, served by two SU carburetors and making about 115 hp. It turns with its hand crank but has not been started in years. The transmission is a manual; in 1963, Alvis offered a five-speed ZF manual or a four-speed. The ZF is a great ‘box, though research surfaced a few comments that it can be difficult to find parts if an overhaul is necessary. I’m thinking that’s probably true of the four-speed as well. The seller notes the odometer reading at 93,821. Alvis rotated through several braking solutions. Early TD21s with drum brakes are scary; the next step was front discs – still not enough. By 1962, the cars were phasing into a four-wheel disc brake system. Power steering was offered, and largely necessary – early cars were intractable at slow speeds. The seller indicates that this car will roll and steer.
Most of Alvis’s production was right-hand drive, though a continuation company – Red Triangle – has converted a few cars to left-hand drive. Interiors were replete with leather, wood, and wool, though this one has seen better days. This car has a very rare working Webasto sunroof, and it comes with factory tools. So far, we have a slightly tattered, non-running but complete, rare sunroof car in a no-reserve auction. Before you hit the “Place Bid” button, we have to break the bad news: this car has some serious rot goin’ on.
While much of the bodywork is aluminum, the frame is steel as are the sills. Woodwork supports portions of the sheet metal. This Alvis suffers the terrible trifecta of aluminum corrosion, rust in the steel, and wood rot, pretty much from tip to toe. Here’s the rear parcel shelf; here’s, I dunno, something else. What do you think of this one; is there any hope?
Nice but I’m not a purest
When ever I purchased a car its for me and any changes are for me
Couldn’t agree with you anymore. My sentiments exactly.
It’s really beautiful, but it needs a complete tear down, at which time I’m flipping to left hand drive. There’s no effective way to restore the chassis without a full tear down. It probably gets fuel injection and CDI ignition and a modern paired automatic transmission that will make good use of the engine. BMW modern stuff to go with the beauty vintage equipment. It won’t be cheap. But it will be something to smile about. Every time someone sees it. A proper lady will be happy to sit beside you. No hot rods mods can do that. Gentleman’s car potential off the charts. Probably look at other Alvis bus and Taxi colors. It’s a bit bold to fit it’s understated class. Mediterranean blue? Forest green? Maroon? Blue silver? Like you said, this is one you do your way. But that rust underneath is Job #1.
Just goes to show how little outward appearance matters to a vehicle’s overall condition. From the exterior photos, nobody would guess that there’s nothing solid underneath. *Ahem* in my best British accent *Ahem* Pity it wasn’t looked after.
These came across the pond with a coat of tar spray on the bare metal chassis. Brits cutting corners, perhaps commodities were the challenge. Tar? Anyone can melt some tar and spray it on, roll it out. Unfortunately one nick or chipping off as it turns brittle, now it collects the dirt and moisture. Unless it was a garage queen at inception and washed underneath after any muddy routes, it wasn’t the owner. It was that superficial tar coating. Most euro makes were guilty of the same. Some gooped it on better than others. Some did just enough to get them sold. Still, this thing is so beautiful it’s going to get saved. It’s not going to be cheap. Maybe at this sale, but it’s going to require full disassembly, rotisserie and welding. Lots of welding. AFTER blasting, pressure washing and dipping. The chassis to do well is $10k. Or pass on it. But I guarantee once that chassis is corrected and protected, you’re getting highly motivated. I’m drooling over it but I have 3 rusties in my garage awaiting funds and space. This car done well is real class anywhere. Like a Rolls Royce sports GT if they went there.
A pretty old saloon with great lines. It should probably be put in a car museum as is for its looks. If that rust underneath looks bad in the pictures, it is probably far worse. The steering wheel and the dashboard are diamonds in the rough. Certain nice to just look at. I wonder what the history of this car was……..
Let’s see, vintage Mack trucks, vintage farm tractors, steam locomotives, and high class British sedans,,,Michelle, I got to hand it to ya’, I never thought women like you existed. I’m sure I’m not the only one that appreciates your interests.
Alvis was a make few Yanks ever heard of. Sounded too much like a certain rental car company that was always #2. I’ll pause a sec, to let our British cousins come around from the smelling salts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It just shows to go, I, and many others, I’m sure, was attracted to the lead picture, and the motor, that has a shiny valve cover, but nothing else, but horrified upon seeing the interior and underside. I can hear them( Brits) now, “what kind of “tard” would run one of our fabulous Alvis’ in the salt? A pox be cast upon you”,,yeah, well, welcome to America, chaps, where travel in winter comes 1st, and this, unbelievably for someone, was it. That, or it sat partially submerged on the coast. I don’t think that’s an A-H motor, I read this came out in 1950(?), and was the basis for most Alvis cars. It wasn’t earth shattering, 0-60 in 15.6, and the 1/4 at about 20sec, with a top speed of around 100, but performance wasn’t its strong point. You wouldn’t know it, but they had the nicest dashboards, and the British 6, is a stout unit, like all British motors. I read a B-W automatic could be had too. I’d say Alvis was comparable to our Pontiac GPs, anyone?
I must apologize to our cousins, I know, us Americans drink crappy beer and drive your fantastic Alvis cars in the salt. This is one Yank that was sure appreciative you were on our side!
Good post, Howard A. The Brits sure punched above their weight during the big one.
Hi Howie, it’s a real beauty. With a need for a hospital procedure. Worth saving. Some aren’t, this ol beaut is. But be serious. Take it all down, bead and soda blast the chassis. Power wash, dip. Then cut the bad bits and weld new steel. Dip in or electro method primer and legitimate rust treatment primers and paints. Then decide how to modernize with restraint. That motor I would disassemble and update everything to high tolerances and update valves and springs etc. Remove anything that when fuel injection and CDI ignition added, it will bump up another 15-20 ponies without a strain or a bad surprise. Mated to a modern 5 speed automatic transmission or whatever unit pairs best in the space that communicates to the CDI module. You’re basically going for a ‘Rolls Royce GT’ result. Maybe you even put a flying lady on the nose? Or Lady Di’s silver frog? Either way, if it remains in USA, gotta flip steering to the left. Silver blue? Mediterranean blue? The red is a bit too much like a British double decker bus or phone booth. A classier understated color and a tan leather interior is calling me.
As of last night there were two ads on social media for this car: One on ebay motors, showing a bid of $3,550; and another on Facebook Marketplace showing it at $200. I wasn’t aware that ebay allowed additional ads for their listings.
Looks like Bondo on top of rust which was painted. If not for the rust, there would be no car – or is it the paint? In any case, this is far gone, and best looked at from a distance.
Amen to the comments about Michelle, she is one of a kind !!
The car looks great from the outside, but closer inspection almost makes a person recoil in horror. I’ve never heard of this one, but then I’m not a gearhead like most on this post.
Aw, shucks, thanks guys!
I think Michelle is simply letting you know what to look out for. It presents as a $10-15k vintage car needing rehab, but underneath, it’s full resto. It not a horror show. It’s actually an excuse to tear it all down and do it properly. To the right people, this is a gem in the rough. If I had more funds and space, I’m all over this understanding the nightmare lurking below.
It looks very much like one of my dream cars – an MG Arnolt.
Shucks, just shucks. Just you wait, and some Jag lover will see the potential and snatch this up and begin a teardown and a restoration. This would be child’s play compared to an E-type, and that paint would buff out beautifully. So much criticism on such a beautiful example of British coachbuilding.
A man of taste Ron. You are correct. To me, it’s got potential to be a “Rolls Royce GT’ with restrained updates done well. This car is in a 50’s book I have from my dad’s book collection. I remember loving it as a kid, on my list of favorite coupes. All that’s missing is a blue silver paint job and the flying lady on the nose.
Good description, Michelle. I’m British but have only ever seen “ragtop” used to describe convertibles.
This can be saved but probably only by Red Triangle, the “continuation company” Michelle describes in the text. If bought and shipped cheaply, it could become a donor for one of the company’s “factory fresh” rebuilds. The price asked leaves margin for profit and a car is saved.
Alvis still exists as a company, I believe, having stopped making cars to focus on its defense equipment products.
Mr. Horrocks is right on. Red Triangle could make the best use of this car.
Plenty of tasteful restoration shops in USA won’t turn this into some junk hotrod. But your concerns it may end up junked up muscle car nonsense are legitimate concerns.
Way back, in the ’60s or ’70s, I read a story about the founder: when he decided to make his own car, he laid in a big supply of reading material, tons of hacksaw blades, bought a huge chunk of steel, and hand made his own crankshaft, by sawing and reading, for months, I would guess. It’s an amazing story, one that put Alvis into my mind forever. I hope this car gets saved.
Saw an earlier convertible with what looked like a replacement chassis frame in American parlance .The chassis seemed much more like a kit car chassis like my Leggera . I would suggest contacting the owners club to see what is available. On the subject of British cars the Rover P4s chassis rot from the inside out .
Sold $4,042, 22 bids.
Sounds right. Properly restored it will get 100g’s in the UK or Europe.
Adding $50 k in restoration and update with restraint, this is a $75-100k ride. If properly done, not a guy in suburbia with a 2 car garage. Rotisserie bare chassis project from ground zero. It’s got to be the guy that owns the shop. With talented help.