Description
This car is Lot 164 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 164
Originally the property of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, DSO, DFC
1954 Alvis TC21/ 100 Drophead Coupé
Registration no. OYU 979
Chassis no. 25554
Rare and desirable soft-top variant
Matching chassis and engine numbers
Known ownership history
Restored circa 2010
Present ownership since 2015
Well known in Alvis circles
Extensive history files
Looking much like its TA14 predecessor, but featuring independent front suspension and a new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine, the new 3-Litre Alvis was announced in 1950 as the TA21. Styled along classic pre-war lines, the 3-Litre was reckoned by Autocar magazine to appeal to "discerning owners who appreciate quality and good handling as well as mere performance". More of the latter was available from the mildly face-lifted TC21 - introduced in 1953 - courtesy of a redesigned cylinder head, twin SU carburettors and improved exhaust manifolding, making it good for 90mph. Introduced at the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show, the model's ultimate incarnation was the TC21/ 100 'Grey Lady', the '100' being a reference both to the maximum horsepower and top speed.
As such, the Alvis was exactly the sort of car that would appeal to fighter pilot Douglas Bader, who purchased chassis number '25554'' new in 1954. One of the RAF's most famous flyers of WW2, Bader had lost both his legs in a flying accident in December 1931 but recovered with the help of prosthetics and flew again in the Battle of Britain, only to be shot down over France in August 1941. Despite his physical handicap, he made several escape attempts and eventually was confined in the notorious Colditz Castle. Released from captivity in 1945, he left the RAF in 1946 with the rank of Group Captain, and resumed his peacetime career in the oil industry. He was knighted in 1976 and died in 1982, aged 72. Appropriately, Douglas Bader is commemorated by a unique statue at the Goodwood Flying Club, formerly RAF Westhampnett, from where he had taken off on his last mission in 1941.
The ex-Bader Alvis is one of only 81 TC21/ 100 chassis bodied as drophead coupés by Tickford. The car's five subsequent owners are fully documented. '25554' is a matching-numbers example and has been well maintained since undergoing extensive restoration while belonging to Mr Tom McKenna, its owner from 1994 until 2015 (see list on file). Invoices show that major works were completed in 2010 and the interior re-trimmed in November that year.
Our vendor purchased the Alvis from Mr McKenna in 2015. 'OYU 749' has been a frequent and well-respected visitor to the Goodwood Revival for many years, and in 2020 was invited by Lord March, Duke of Richmond and Gordon, to attend that year's Alvis Centenary celebration. The car was also exhibited on the Alvis stand at the 2016 Classic Motor Show.
Accompanying documentation consists of a complete set of history files containing a full photographic record of the car's restoration; an old-style buff logbook; correspondence from previous owners; copies of factory records; a current V5C Registration Certificate etc, etc. Owner's handbooks, jacks, a wheel-brace, and two sets of keys are included in the sale.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
