1959 Alvis TD21 Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: XRW 74
Chassis No: 25962
Mot Expiry: None

"The Alvis remains as something exclusive, with very definite individuality of character. As a perfectly serviceable everyday car with extra chic, extra performance, and high standards of comfort and safety, its appeal to a select but important clientele should be strong." Motor Magazine

The elegant four-seater Alvis TD21 was launched in late 1958 and owes its stylistic origins to a special-order Hermann Graber Coupe variant of the TC21/100. Suitably reinterpreted for production by Park Ward, the TD21's sleek two-door metal coachwork incorporated more interior and luggage space than the preceding model, though made no pretence of accommodating more than four people. Big areas of glass framed in slender pillars afforded excellent all round vision. Based around a rigid, cross-braced box section chassis and equipped with independent coil spring and wishbone front suspension and leaf-sprung back axle, the new model was powered by a 124bhp, 2993cc OHV straight-six engine for which an improved 12-port cylinder head was phased in soon after full production commenced.

There was the choice of four-speed manual or Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission. Initially offered as an option, Lockheed servo-assisted front disc brakes soon became standard fare, while drum units were employed at the rear. Steering was by a Burman recirculating ball system. There was the option of two body styles - Saloon and Drophead Coupe. The interior was typical of luxury British motorcars of the period, featuring leather upholstery, pile carpets and polished wood facia. A manual gearbox TD21 tested by Motor magazine in 1960 achieved the 0-60mph dash in 13.5 seconds and recorded a top speed of 103mph. The overall fuel consumption was 17.1 mpg. The not insubstantial cost when new would have been £2,827.

The Alvis being sold is a Series I TD21 Saloon from 1959. It sports Blue coachwork and a complementary Grey leather interior and is equipped with the four-speed manual gearbox. The vendor purchased the car in July 2009 as a restoration project but, as so often happens, has not managed to progress matters, and is now giving somebody else the opportunity to bring `XRW 74' back to its former glory. The car is being sold without tax or MOT.