Description
The quintessential ‘Gentleman’s carriage’. The Alvis TD, TE, and TF series were the final flowering of the Three Litre cars, first introduced by Alvis in 1950. The cars had a deserved reputation for high quality construction, superb performance and handling. For almost 17 years the Three Litre was based on the same chassis and powered by the same engine. Starting with 83bhp, the ultimate model, the TF had progressed to 150bhp. Alvis’s engine was as smooth as a turbine and Rolls Royce coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward’s 300-ton Erco press, made the production of special Bentley, Rolls Royce and Alvis models possible at a higher production rate. That said, such cars were always exclusive products built for a wealthy clientele and in the case of Alvis were destined for owners who demanded performance and quality in a more understated manner.
Introduced in 1963, the TE21 had an improved engine over the TD, developing a respectable 130Bhp. The frontal appearance was modernised with a quad-stacked headlamp arrangement which called for a more aggressive-looking higher front wing line. In total, just 352 cars were built, including a small number of drophead coupes. Of these, around half had power steering and very few had the optional automatic transmission. This featured a variable speed hold on a lever below the selector, which allowed lower gears to be held for a variable duration, to suit the driving style of the owner.
Our car was first registered on May 5th 1965 and spent 35 years with its first owner, a paediatrician from Poole in Dorset. In the history file is an envelope from Alvis supplier Red Triangle containing some shims they posted to the Doctor in 1977. We have MOT's going back 50 years and it appears that MOTs and maintenance were carried out in his home village of Canford Cliffs. The original owner's manual is in the file and there are handwritten notes for the servicing garage. There are two original letters from the Alvis factory, sent to his local distributor in 1966 and 1967. The latter describes how to use the automatic gearbox ‘hold control' correctly. The car passed to its second owner in November 2000 and he kept the car until December 2020. We have bought the car from its third owner.
Fifty-five years with just two owners indicates that this was a highly valued and special car. It is very correct and the large fabric folding sunroof makes summer driving in this elegant car very pleasant. Red Triangle carried out the most recent service plus Crypton test and tune on the car at 93, 602 miles in February this year. They completed further work on the engine, steering, water pump, and electrical system the following month. The total cost was £3033. 73. There is a photographic record of body restoration and repaint in 2012 and the work has held up really well. It also benefitted from a new carpet set and connollising of the original leather trim. This is a splendid, well maintained, low ownership Alvis. Although MOT exempt this is a car that has been kept up to current MOT standards and indeed is tested until 3rd March 2025. It drives so smoothly with really comfortable seats and absolutely glides over bumps with its high quality period suspension. The six cylinder engine runs quietly, but with a lovely exhaust note and with good oil pressure. The servo-assisted disc brakes are just superb. In summary, this remarkably original and well-kept Alvis represents fantastic value at £29, 995
