Chassis Number: 26786
Engine Number: 26786
UK Registration Number: 1005 WK
Date of first reg: 1962
Exterior colour: Brewster Green
Hood: Black Mohair
Interior colour: Light Green Leather with a Beige Head Lining
Current Odometer reading: 118,600
Mileage Warranty:
Steering: Left
Transmission: Manual
Options: Becker Mexico Retro, with iPod connection, Bluetooth and Sat Nav
Background
Alvis formed in 1921, pairing motor-scooter producer T. G. John and engine designer Geoffrey de Freville. The company's first car, the 10/30, was a success. Over the next two decades, Alvis pioneered technologies such as the first all-synchromesh gearbox. Performance oriented models, including the 12/50, the Speed 25 and the Silver Crest, were highly regarded. Alvis built engines and chassis in Coventry but relied on coachbuilders such as Cross and Ellis and Vanden Plas for bodies.
Alvis turned to war production in 1939 but after the war, resumed car production with the TA14 whilst continuing its aviation and defence business. In 1950, a new chassis and a 3.0-liter inline-six became the basis for more stylish models, starting with the TA21 saloon. Many coachbuilders Alvis used did not survive the war, and those that did including Mulliners (which produced TA21 bodies) and Tickford (TC21 dropheads) were acquired by Standard-Triumph and Aston Martin.
Alvis turned to Hermann Graber of Switzerland, which custom bodied Alvis chassis for wealthy Swiss in the early ‘50s. Graber designed the prototype TC108G, which Alvis acquired under license in 1955 and commissioned coachbuilder Willowbrook to build. Admired but expensive, few were sold. Alvis then contracted with Rolls-Royce and Bentley coachbuilder Park Ward to assemble the car at a lower price in 1958, rebadging it as the TD21.
Graber's design is splendid but in 1958 Alvis bought the jigs from Graber commissioning Park Ward to take over construction. The coachbuilder immediately tweaked the design for better visibility, modified the rear wings and strengthened the chassis. Meanwhile, Alvis adopted the Austin-Healey four-speed gearbox, introduced a hydraulic clutch and piston shock absorbers and installed front disc brakes. A Borg Warner automatic transmission became optional. The TD 21 received a new cylinder head in 1959 and power increased to 120 bhp at 5,000 rpm with 90 mph on tap in third gear. The Series II TD 21 arrived in August 1962 with disc brakes all round, recessed fog lamps and integrated taillights. Doors became aluminium to save weight, and later the ZF 5-speed transmission was adopted.
Vehicle History
This lovely car was first registered in France in 1962, however, apart from a month touring in France during June of that year, it lived most of its life in the USA. Title was acquired by the last owner through the services of Ogilvy Laing in October 2005
Prior to his acquisition, a full restoration had undertaken utilising four main contractors. A & S Engineering who are Rolls Royce, Bentley and Alvis specialists undertook the mechanical work while Alan Wickenden, on the recommendation of Julian Cutts of Hooper & Co completed roof and trim work. S MacNeillie & Son Ltd, coachbuilders and armourers to Her Majesty’s Government completed the coachwork and, appropriately Monsieur Eric Vorms put the finishing touches attending to woodwork and French polishing in his workshops in the 11th Arrondissement in Paris.
The programme of service and maintenance continued and included a full engine rebuild in 2011 by Alvis specialists Red Triangle and then a full respray in 2016.
However, this delightful example of a quintessential British Classic Car should not be mistaken for a museum piece – this most recent stewardship demonstrates continued focus on the car's intrinsic quality but also a real enthusiasm for classic motoring - amongst the invoices is an interesting indicator from transport specialist, CARS UK. It is for the round-trip transport costs to "The Jewel of South America" – that is true classic rallying! And that theme is borne out by the car's FIVA registration and a glorious badge bar that records participation in further "Jewel" events in China, the Alpes Maritime and twice the Jewel of Europe - Fragneto Monforte
07.08.05 99,661
10.08.06 06,975
10.07.07 08,587
22.12.08 11,144
14.12.09 12,310
20.04.11 15,514
24.04.12 16,369
08.04.13 16,835
09.04.14 17,045
06.08.15 17,745
04.04.05- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Full mechanical inspection of car together with estimate for full restoration
02.05.05- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Initial elements of refurbishment including attention to clutch, exhausts, hydraulics, brakes, gearbox and suspension total invoice value £13,451
07.06.05- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Continued restoration work incl chassis work, further suspension work, propshaft, steering, wheels hood mechanism etc. total invoice value £8,732
08.08.05- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Car returned from trimmers and continuation of restoration including electrical work, trim and instrumentation and general attention to finish. MOT total invoice value£6,628
30.02.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Address snagging list from restoration work, seek estimates for trim work including hood, make up Kenlow fan and fix cooling
26.02.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Locate and arrange delivery of all available wood, prepare & polish and anodise alloy components, prepare, copper, nickel and chrome small parts
03.03.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Auto Trade Restoration
Replace all hood frame wood and repair saddle, remove and replace windscreen for trimmers
05.04.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Surrey Trimming Company
Trim works on Alvis
11.04.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Preparation of car for tour including provision of comprehensive car care kit
20.04.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Ted Triamgle
Door buffers and window vent seal
23.06.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Snap-on Tools
Various tools
19.10.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Surrey Trimming
Trim work
17.11.06- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: A & S Engineering
Service of vehicle including attention to steering, ignition, oil leak and coolant leak
06.06.07- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
11.07.07- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
07.01.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Badge bar clip
18.04.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
21.04.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
23.12.08- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Greenwood Motorsport Ltd
Remove fuel tank and clean, replace fuel pipe and filters, check operation of reserve tank and repair. Fit new dynamo with alternator inside, adapt brackets and wiring. Check fuel gauge and MOT
08.04.09- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Greenwood Motorsport Ltd
Adjust clutch linkage, replaced slave and master cylinders, remove gearbox and replace clutch. Replace cracked water pump housing and rebuild water pump, carry out service and replace battery
23.10.09- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: The London Chroming Co
Deposit on chrome work
28.11.09- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: The London Chroming Co
Balance payment for chrome plating work
21.01.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Magnecor
Ignition lead set
07.09.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
21.09.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Service parts supplied
21.09.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: CARS Motorsport
Round trip transportation for the Jewel of South America
22.09.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Classic Car Accessories
Rubber gasket for Lucas style mirrors
24.09.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Radlett Classic Cars
Remove oil filter and oil filter head, strip head, clean and fit new oil pressure relief valve. Refit to engine block and top up with oil
21.02.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Replace both rear road springs
20.04.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Holden Vintage
Mechanical oil pressure gauge
30.04.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Rectify handbrake, convert to unleaded fuel, parts supplied – clutch kit, rear cylinder head water transfer cover. Refit overdrive switch wiring, fit new liners to block, machine new liners to take pistons.
30.04.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Parts required for engine rebuild and detailed labour costings MOT
30.04.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
MOT
31.07.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Red Triangle
Remove dash panel and remove temperature gauge for re-calibration - refit
15.04.16- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Auto Audio
Contribution to respray the complete car
