1961 Alvis TD21 Drophead Coupe
Uprated with a five-speed ZF gearbox and disc brakes

Registration No: 569 TTT
Chassis No: 26475
MOT: March 2026

• 1 of just 192 Alvis TD21 Series I Drophead Coupes made and featuring coachwork by Park Ward
• Uprated to Series II specification with a ZF five-speed manual transmission and front disc brakes
• The beneficiary of a comprehensive restoration during the 1980's
• Accompanied by a large history file including documentation relating to the restoration and copies of the factory records
• Featured as the cover star of the book ‘Alvis Three-Litre in Detail’ by David Culshaw

Launched in late 1958, the Alvis TD21 was stylistically indebted to a special-order Hermann Graber Coupe variant of its TC21/100 predecessor. Suitably reinterpreted for production by Park Ward, the newcomer's decidedly elegant coachwork sat atop a rigid box-section chassis equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension and a leaf-sprung back axle. Powered by a 2993cc OHV straight-six engine allied to either a four-speed manual or Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, the four-seater boasted a 100mph-plus top speed. Featuring a polished wood fascia, leather upholstery, and pile carpets, the TD21 could be had in two-door Saloon or Drophead Coupe guises and was every bit as luxurious as its contemporaries. Superseded by the Series II in 1962, just 192 of the 784 Series I cars made were Drophead Coupes.

According to a copy of the Alvis chassis record included in the history file, chassis 26475 was supplied through Day’s Garage of Lowestoft to a Mr David Cartwright of Beccles, Suffolk on the 20^th January 1961 and registered initially as ‘2 HBJ’. According to correspondence on file, Mr Cartwright was particularly meticulous about his new purchase and a letter from Day’s to Alvis’ Service Manager dated 10^th January 1963 shows that the car had been subject to the fitment of five different gearboxes by this time and was delivered back to Park Ward for minor body repairs at this time. Mr Cartwright parted company with the Drophead during 1965, and following two further changes of ownership, the fourth owner opted to have the car fully cosmetically and mechanically overhauled which is documented by a thick file displaying photographs of the car back to the chassis and having extensive metalworking tasks performed. It was at this time that it was repainted in the stunning Maroon Red that is retained today, and the car was then re-registered as ‘569 TTT’. Evidently now a particularly fine vehicle, a Dr Nield of Goole then took custodianship in 1989 and kept it some 15 years before the previous owner acquired the car from him. The previous owner then kept the car until 2013 before it was entrusted to Red Triangle and sold to the current owner (and daughter of the vendor) in 2013. It is somewhat hard to convey just how extensive the history file for ‘596 TTT’ is, but it documents an extensive maintenance record with receipts on file from world-renowned Alvis experts Red Triangle plus others for sundry tasks such as re-chroming of the brightwork. The vendor has kept up this extensive servicing plan and has performed various tasks including a clutch change, cylinder head overhaul and brake overhaul within the last three years and he was keen to point out that the car has covered less than 1,000 miles since the major works.

Upon inspection, it was noted that ‘596 TTT’ is a very attractive example and a short drive to the photography session by the consigning specialist was deemed to be very pleasant indeed. The previously fitted ZF Five-Speed gearbox and front disc brakes as per Series II specification have put the car into a completely different league to most Series I TD21’s and it appears to be eminently usable. The vendor rates the engine and electrical equipment as ‘very good’ and the transmission as ‘excellent’. Cosmetically, the car wears its older restoration well and although there are areas of maturity that are expected for any car of this age, the paintwork appears to have been a particularly fine job when last applied and the interior trim is certainly of a very fine quality. Due to the light aging of the restoration, the vendor rates the bodywork, paintwork, and interior trim as ‘good’.

Now offered for sale simply due to a lack of use in recent years, this example of the TD21 should certainly not be missed. Offering what might be the best value for money in the market for a hand built six-cylinder drophead from the 1960’s, ‘569 TTT’ appears to be as ready as ever and is offered with an extensive history file which includes the aforementioned chassis history supplied by Red Triangle, restoration record and leather-bound folder supplied by Red Triangle, plus two separate folders outlining expenditure both in the previous and current ownership.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430