Highlights
- Full engine and brake rebuild 2008-9 and has covered fewer than 2000 miles since
- Deliciously patinated bodywork and interior
- Extensive history file spanning 3 lever arch folders
The Appeal
If you’ve been looking for a ‘60s sports saloon, then the name Alvis may not be the first to come to mind.
However, with its 3-litre straight-six engine, 2-door coupé body style and painted wire wheels, this 1963 TD21 might well be the one for you…
However, with its 3-litre straight-six engine, 2-door coupé body style and painted wire wheels, this 1963 TD21 might well be the one for you…
Displaying a delightful level of patina inside and out, this Alvis is unashamedly original and would be a great example to either enjoy as is, or else subject to some cosmetic restoration work.
With the engine and braking system thoroughly overhauled in 2008-9, this is a mechanically healthy specimen that the vendor tells us is ready to be enjoyed.
With the engine and braking system thoroughly overhauled in 2008-9, this is a mechanically healthy specimen that the vendor tells us is ready to be enjoyed.
The History and Paperwork
- 5 owners from new
- First owned by Sir David Nicholson, the then Chairman of BOAC
- Subsequently owned by a Cumbrian farmer from 1967-2002 and then his doctor
- The vendor purchased it in 2006 from a private dealer
- Kept in dry storage by the vendor since purchasing the car
- Rear of the car was resprayed by Red Triangle during the 1990s and the front half painted by the vendor in 2007
- Full engine and brake rebuild in 2008-9 and fewer than 2,000 miles have since been covered
- Serviced during the vendor’s ownership by a renowned Alvis mechanic near Stroud
- 3 lever arch files full of paperwork
- Numerous invoices, hand-written notes and magazine articles
The Interior
- Believed to be original and largely untouched
- Green leather wears a gentle patina
- Burr walnut dashboard and door cappings
- Rear selt belts installed
Stepping inside, swathes of leather and burr walnut clad this Alvis’ fixtures and fittings. The vendor believes that the interior is original and unrestored and there is an even distribution of light patination to corroborate this.
The green leather is delightful, looking to be supremely comfortable with a pleasing and by no means excessive degree of wear. Beyond a little creasing, there were no tears or damage we could discern and they appear to be well supported.
The dashboard is smartly adorned in burr walnut, which is patinated but undamaged, with no signs of delamination or peeling we could see. The carpets are in good order, with some discolouration as you would expect. They are, however, eminently serviceable. The headlining is clean and well supported.
There are no aftermarket additions we could see and the vendor informs us that everything electrical works exactly as it should.
In the boot, the carpet is a little worn in places and may well be the original item. A jack and some original tools are also present.
The Exterior
- Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Park Ward
- Paint rectified where necessary over the years
- Some corrosion evident in places
On the outside, this Alvis presents well and is very straight down the sides of the elegant coachbuilt Mulliner body. Teal Green really suits the car and is complemented by the matching painted wire wheels and the interior.
While the car has been kept in doors by the present owner, they do point out some areas where corrosion is beginning to take hold. There is some bubbling around the wheel arches along the sills and where certain seams meet.
There are numerous blemishes in the paint, including some areas where the inflexible finish has stretched over time. We understand that the rear of the car was repainted in the ‘90s by Red Triangle, who for those who don’t know, effectively have been the Alvis Car Company since 1968.
The remainder of the car was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed by the vendor in 2007.
There are numerous blemishes in the paint, including some areas where the inflexible finish has stretched over time. We understand that the rear of the car was repainted in the ‘90s by Red Triangle, who for those who don’t know, effectively have been the Alvis Car Company since 1968.
The remainder of the car was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed by the vendor in 2007.
While the vendor advises that some bodywork will be required in the near future, we think the patinated exterior suits the unrestored, original feel of the car and could quite safely be used in its current state, so long as the car is stored carefully.
The painted wire wheels really suit the car and the vendor tells us that the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining.
The painted wire wheels really suit the car and the vendor tells us that the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining.
The Mechanics
- Rebuilt engine and brakes
- 3-litre, straight-six
- Borg Warner automatic gearbox
This Alvis starts and runs really well, the 3-litre, straight-six having been professionally rebuilt 14 years ago.
It has been used sparingly ever since, apparently covering fewer than 2000 miles.
It has been used sparingly ever since, apparently covering fewer than 2000 miles.
The vendor informs us that the Alvis drives excellently, the Borg Warner automatic gearbox allowing it to glide along effortlessly. With refurbished brakes and the TD21 being offered with discs all round from 1962 onwards, this example stops well too.
We are informed that there are no leaks, smoke or untoward noises while driving.
We are informed that there are no leaks, smoke or untoward noises while driving.
Summary
This is a healthy example of a car that many have wrongfully overlooked for years.
Having been serviced judiciously and driven sparingly, there is plenty of life left in this old Alvis and we’re sure the next owner shall enjoy it as much as the vendor has.
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