1961 Alvis TD21

This grand old lady of British motoring has led a pretty sedate life with her present owner Ian of eight years, having been used periodically (but consistently every year) for jaunts out and about – no major treks or tours. As Ian says, she drives in that typical Fifties manner – no power steering – though he does note that the gearbox is very sweet.

Before his stewardship in the mid-Nineties, the car underwent a thorough restoration (mechanical and bodywork) with SP Restorations, which included an engine and interior out bare metal respray. Judging by the photographs of the awards the Alvis won, the work must have been of a high standard indeed. (Alvis concours judges don’t take prisoners.)

Although the TD has had further cosmetic corrections later, Ian hasn’t sought to remain in the rarefied air of the concours fraternity and he describes it now as a smart, very usable car with a few imperfections.

Although no damage was sustained, the owner is keen to point out that the TD’s garage was flooded in a flash flood about a year ago. Water did get into the car but was quickly drained. The Alvis was dried out, and all the electrics and mechanicals checked. The car was found to be totally fine.

It remains a stylish and very usable classic.

Alois blue has been an almost defining colours for the TD21 and this car certainly looks good in the shade (albeit resprayed) in which it left the factory. The finish remains very presentable, retaining a decent gloss to the paintwork across the car.

If you look closely, you will certainly find small inconsistencies; a small bubble on the nearside front of bonnet and a drip/ripple on the wing on the same side. There are a few other very tiny ones peppered around edges, but nothing that spoils the overall impression the car makes.

The same can be said of the extensive chrome. Largely, it retains a bright lustre – the grill with its Red Triangle is a great feature, but there is pitting elsewhere – in the bumper overriders for example. The boot lights/detail is very straight and, along with the rear lights, makes a nice ensemble.

The rubber seals supporting and separating the metal is largely pretty good, retaining a good colour and appearing supple, though there are one or two small cracks here and there (rear windscreen surround). Elsewhere in the brightwork (window frame uprights), there are one or two small screws missing, while a few have rusty heads. The lenses of the lights are clean and bright and the units themselves firmly mounted. Panel fit is good – the sides are smooth – and the shut lines on doors, bonnet and boot are narrow and even – Park Ward build quality for you.

Despite the small niggles, this remains a very handsome car.

It is still possible to see with what care the TD’s interior was designed and put together; the fit and shaping of panels, the detail in the trimmings.

The seats have an even patina, with an in the main gentle creasing of the blue leather on the seats both back and front. The tilting mechanisms and runners are clean and fully working. Its nice to see the detailing on the back of the front seats is very much intact, and similarly with the door card panels; nicely defined leather sections with arm rests looking straight and tidy carpeted sections below. The chromed winders and levers look smart with no pitting.

The woodwork across the car retains a warm colour and a good grain, though there is extensive peeling of the lacquer around the glove box. Switches and controls show gentle handling wear but everything is present and correct. Below, the slender gear knob is a little cracked, but its gaiter is clean and smart. By contrast to the other wood, the steering wheel’s wooden rim appears extremely fresh (and the Alvis boss is also good). It is presumably a newer piece but suits the car well.

Elsewhere around the cabin, the carpets are quite presentable – a few gaps – though generally retaining a good colour and retaining neatly bound edges. There is no sagging in the headlining.

Generally, the Alvis has a smart but lived in feel, showing the rounded edges of well-thumbed but reverential use.

Lifting the bonnet reveals an engine bay with a workmanlike feel. There are some worn edges and paint chips; components appear a little weathered, but everything appears pretty robust. Everything is certainly in the right place and accounted for.

As regards the engine itself, there are no leaks at the cork gaskets and the carburettors are clean. Hoses look healthy – no splits or perishing and the wiring looks fine. Jubilee clips are clean and rust-free and other retaining clips equally tidy. The battery looks quite new.

The engine bay itself looks solid – nicely painted with no rust – as does the underside of the bonnet.

Looking under the car, the floor to the bodywork appears sound. The main chassis box sections and outriggers appear very sturdy. They show some surface rust along edges, but nothing that would compromise their integrity. The fuel tank and the exhaust are very much intact.

Brake and fuel lines appear to be unimpeded, and suspension parts look to be free moving and capable of relatively easy adjustment. Some show surface corrosion and peeling paint, though nothing that would impair mechanical performance.

The painted wire wheels have a dull finish (by intention); their spokes are straight and pretty clean. Their chromed spinners show some pitting.

The Alvis has a good amount of paperwork including invoices from the work done by SP restorations. There is also a partial photographic record of the restoration. There are quite a few further invoices from Alvis gurus Red Triangle for work done to the engine and suspension. As mentioned, there are photographs of the trophies won by the car at shows, further emphasising the quality of the final job.

There were also subsequent minor corrections carried out, there being receipts for work to the lower wings in 2010 and a reupholstering of the front seats in 2011. You will also see later invoices, again from Red Triangle and others, documenting servicing during the present owner’s time with the car.

Looking around this TD and especially at those keen shut lines, it’s worth remembering that these cars were built by Park Ward to the same standards as those they sued on Rolls-Royce and Bentley during the same period. There is a quality and a gravitas to them you just so rarely see.

This is a very solid example, by no means the concours queen it once was, but a car nonetheless very much at ease with itself, well sorted and very usable. As such, surely it would be far more enjoyable to drive it to the pub on the green for Sunday lunch rather than to the next restorers. (And cheaper too.)

With a decent provenance and in sound condition, we think this very English example of a motor car will sit in the region of between £15,000 and £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.