1965 Alvis TE21 Saloon

Description

A gorgeous example of this supremely elegant gentleman's carriage; 5-speed manual; power steering; few owners, the current since 2017; runs like a Swiss watch; pleasingly original with bags of character; just how we like them!

Launched in October 1958, the Graber-styled Alvis TD21 was an immediate success; the combination of a luxury interior, elegant bodywork and 100mph performance proving immensely attractive to the well-heeled clientele at which it was aimed.

The Motor described it as having "a Jeeves-like quality of responding to its master's whim". Autocar praised it as "one of the most enchanting owner-driver cars imaginable," singling out the quality of the Park Ward coachwork with doors that "close with a majestic clunk - more like an air of finality than a noise."

Qualities that were no doubt appreciated by owners as august as the Dukes of Edinburgh and Windsor, Sir Douglas Bader and James Mason – all as quintessentially English as the car.

Powered by a torquey 120bhp straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox as standard, the TD21 was capable of effortless high speed cruising and handled exceptionally well for such a stately machine. In 1963 it was replaced by the TE21, an even better car that was readily distinguished by its new stacked-headlight front end, another design flourish by Swiss coachbuilder Graber.

Maximum power was now 130bhp courtesy of a new cylinder head and torque was up to 172lb/ft, with a choice of automatic or 5-speed ZF manual gearboxes. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes were now standard and power steering was available as an option. Tested by Autocar, a TE21 could reach 60mph in 12.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 108mph. An extremely rare car, only 349 were made before it was replaced by the TF in 1966.

Supplied new by The Eton Motor Group of Slough in February 1965 with the registration number GBH 600C, this lovely TE21 has had just six owners to date, all detailed in old logbooks on file. The first owner was a Michael Collins of Hoylake, Cheshire, who kept the car for three years. When he sold it in 1968 the number was changed to 111 DDA and it moved to Worcestershire, residing in that locality ever since.

From 1968 – 1973 it was owned by Arthur Broatch of Welland and from 1973 – 1975 by SR Elston Ltd of Hanley Swan. The next owner was a Mr Albert Daniels of Malvern who kept the car for 41 years (1975 – 2016). It then briefly had another Malvern owner before our vendor acquired the car in 2017.

Still in its original colour scheme of dark green with a beautifully preserved red leather interior, 111 DDA has the perfect spec for a TE21 which includes a 5-speed manual gearbox, power steering, adjustable steering column, servo disc brakes, semi-automatic choke, front seat belts and Radiomobile radio.

It is showing 74,623 miles which is believed to be correct and seems entirely plausible given the overall condition of the car. It is also backed up by 25 old MOTs, the earliest of which shows that it had covered 58,200 miles by 1983.

The history file shows that the car was in storage from 1973 – 1983. It was then sympathetically restored which included new sills, new wings, new screen rubbers front and rear, full repaint and waxoil treatment. All mechanical aspects were overhauled as required with lots of invoices to show regular upkeep since. Parts fitted between 1991 and 2016 include: new clutch kit; radiator; water pump; engine mountings; brake and suspension parts; headlights; stainless steel exhaust plus many routine service items. A Tracker theft recovery system was also fitted in 1997.

In December 2016 at 73,723 miles it had a major service at Retro Marques of Strensham and in March 2017 the body and paintwork was tidied up by Tony Williams Bodyshop of Malvern to remove a few blemishes.

Our vendor acquired the car from Retro Marques in June 2017 (for considerably more than the guide price suggested here). He has continued to look after it well, having it maintained by local Alvis specialists Earley Engineering of Kingstone. This has included a thorough service and check-over which included a new brake servo; new rear gearbox mounting; various new suspension bushes; carbs tuned; new coil, points, rotor arm; chassis points all greased; waxoil treatment etc.

Driven some 30 miles to the sale on a very hot day, we are told that the car runs and drives well. It has certainly been starting instantly and running like a Swiss watch as we have moved it around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure. The doors fit beautifully and still close with that uniquely Alvis 'whoosh/click', testament to the skills of the craftsmen who originally built the car 60 years ago.

As you can see in the photos, it looks wonderful and comes with a large history file including an original owner’s handbook, period road tests, Alvis Club magazines and much useful technical literature relating to the model.

One of the nicest Alvis Three Litres we have seen, with bags of originality and character, this rare and handsome TE is on offer here at a very attractive guide price and will bring a great deal of pleasure to its fortunate new owner. As you can probably tell by now, we like it a lot...

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com