One of just 785 Park Ward-bodied Series 1 TD21s of which there were only 192 DHC examples
Comprehensive engine-out restoration completed
Finished in Graber/Alvis ‘Piasio Green’
Fully rebuilt engine, braking system and suspension
Upgraded with a five-speed gearbox, new clutch assembly & power steering
Enhanced cooling system and stainless steel exhaust system fitted
Rare adjustable reclining seats
Recently serviced
The Appeal
The first production Alvis to be styled by the Swiss coachbuilder, Graber, appeared at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955. Based on the existing TC21 Grey Lady chassis, the newcomer brought an injection of Continental style and modernity to Alvis’s range. Lighter, stiffer and with a much smaller frontal area than the traditionally styled Grey Lady, the Graber Alvis enjoyed much improved handling and a higher maximum speed in excess of 100mph. Production of the later Graber styled models switched to Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward, on the introduction of the restyled TD21 for 1959. The TD21 retained Alvis's torquey, 3.0 litre, overhead valve six, which in uprated form now came with 120bhp courtesy of a redesigned cylinder head. Inside, there were improvements to the accommodation with increased headroom and legroom, especially in the rear. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes became a standardised upgrade in 1960.
Elegant bodies, coachbuilt by firms such as Cross & Ellis or Vanden Plas, cemented Alvis's reputation for high-quality, high-speed luxury. Their most direct competition came in the shape of products from Bentley and Aston Martin, with Alvis forming quite a reputation for ground-breaking engineering innovations. Success at Le Mans, coming first and second in their class is one of many achievements in the history of this pioneering and well respected company
Collectors covet all variants of the TD21, but especially those rare few factory convertibles. Of the 785 Series I TD21s bodied by Park Ward, just 192 were Drophead Coupés like this one.
This Alvis really stands out from its peers, resplendent in a new coat of Graber/Alvis ‘Piasio Green’ and benefits from a meticulous engine-out restoration. The work entailed incorporating several choice upgrades, including an uprated cooling system and the fitment of a five-speed manual gearbox - like those found in Series II examples. Most recently a power-assisted steering upgrade was fitted.
If you're looking for a hand-built, open-topped '60s GT, it would be remiss to overlook this superbly restored and sympathetically enhanced Alvis TD21 DHC.image.png2.5 MB
History and Paperwork
First registered on 9th February 1961
Original sales order and copy of Alvis build
Ordered 9th November 1960
UK home market example in RHD
One of 785 Park Ward-bodied Series 1 TD21s of which there were 192 DHC examples like this
Among famous Series I DHC owners were flying ace Sir Douglas Bader and the Duke of Edinburgh
Comprehensive restoration with upgrades performed in recent years
Receipts from Wren Classics to the sum of £47,700 2014-16 including 500 man hours
Other receipts in excess of £8,500
Current keeper since 2018
Bills of £12,000 for further refinement in current ownership
Speedometer recalibrated during restoration; 665 miles indicated
Previous advisory-free MOT expired 11th April 2025
Reportedly one of a very few made with an almost square rear license plate configuration with illumination on both sides, rather than the more common oblong plate with the lights above it
Re-aligned doors and replaced hinges
Dark green original seats and interior trimmings restored and re-installed
One of only a handful equipped with adjustable 'Reuter' reclining seats, enabling them to be set in ‘sleeping position’
Full dashboard restoration completed - the walnut dash looks fabulous
Retro-fitted water temperature gauge fitted beneath dashboard
Original radio reconditioned with modern components and MP3 connectivity
Colour-matched front seatbelts retrofitted
Original opaque sun-visors present and in excellent order
Original twin Lucas driving lights
All chrome in good condition
Steering wheel has period laced leather cover on the rim. Good Alvis badge with some patina
Indicators are working on the wheel centre spinner
A few signs of use since restoration but remains generally beautifully presented
This Alvis presents exceedingly well following extensive restoration work. The Park Ward coachwork looks particularly elegant in this most tasteful of colours - for us, bringing to mind Aston Martins of the period. The paint and brightwork all looks in fine order, with only minor imperfections, the most noticeable of which is a double paint chip to the nearside rear wheel arch.
We're informed that the folding roof is in good order and we note that it is complete with a colour-matched hood bag for when it is in its lowered position. The stainless steel wire wheels look fantastic, especially shod in period-appropriate radial tyres.
Twin eared hub spinners are correct with Alvis badges. All tyres are Michelin XVS (date marked 2022).
As you step inside, the cabin is luxuriously appointed with swathes of green leather, deep-pile carpeting and burr walnut veneers not dissimilar to the cosseting club chairs and convivial atmosphere of an Edwardian Gentlemen's Club. Besides some light patina to the driver's seat, there's little in the way wear to report inside this Alvis and we understand the various cabin electrics to be in good working order. There is some wear to the carpet on top of the tunnel beneath the dash. image.png1.94 MB
The Mechanics
3.0-litre petrol straight-six fed by twin SU carburettors
Engine ultrasonically cleaned, cylinders re-bored, new pistons, cam bearings and new tappet adjusters fitted
Upgraded with a modern five-speed gearbox and new clutch assembly
Power assisted steering fitted in recent years and is reported to be a pleasing addition for driver enjoyment
Fully rewired
The dynamo has been replaced with a high capacity alternator and the contact distributor made room for an electronic version
Independent front suspension with coil springs and double wishbone links
Now equipped with an enhanced cooling system to prevent overheating - a common Alvis issue
Exhaust system upgraded to stainless steel
Brake and steering systems completely overhauled
The TD21 was intended to be a fast cruiser - the sort of car one could cross continents in, arriving at one's destination calm, carefree and generally unflustered. As such, a torquey, powerful straight-six engine provides the necessary shove to ensure the TD21 can easily keep pace with even today's traffic. This one is further enhanced with a retrofitted five-speed gearbox, giving it sufficiently long legs for lengthy road trips.
Alvis owners will be familiar with the limitations of the original cooling systems, but this car now reportedly has no bother with overheating or vapour-locking thanks to upgraded cooling equipment. We're informed that it drives very well and informed that there are no known mechanical issues.
The car is reported to start effortlessly and drives magnificently, as you'd expect given recent specialist investments. image.png1.98 MB
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